Where to begin.
The first half had a pall. Sure, 7-0 was pleasant, but the inability of the Aztec offensive line to block outside the tackles, especially to the left, was forcing Juwan Washington to run up the gut (with gusto), and nowhere else.
To speak of “to the left”, Tyler Roemer (left tackle) and Daishawn Dixon (left guard) were repeatedly unable to hold blocks during the first half. Boo.
So, Jeff Horton calls up the gut plays . . . and we score. Juwan ran for 20+, 10+, 40+, 6-ish, then a td. Kudos to Dominic Guidino, Keith Ismael and the afore criticized Mr. Dixon for plowing openings galore for Mr. Washington.
Stanford goes three and out. We follow with seeming momentum until Isaac Lessard is flagged for a chop block, thus we punt. Boo. However, during this sequence, Ethan Dedeaux (r-fr) catches a pass (in other receiving news, Fred Trevillion dropped his first opportunity, thus enhancing the legend of Hit Me On My Number And I Drop My First Pass Trevillion). Mr. Dedeaux is one to watch and offers Christian Chapman dreams of 60% completion rates.
Stanford scores two points via a hesitant safety by the officiating squad. The head ref (forgive my lack of football referee knowledge) seemed to need a tutorial in signaling the safety call. Perhaps because the call was crap.
Prior to this bit of neighbohood football officiating, Chase Jasmin spelled Mr. Washington, thus received his first dose of competitive, non-wipe out football. He did so the next set of downs as well (and gathered a rushing first down). Yes, this is Jeff Horton taking a look under the hood for future reference. Howl all you want about why-was-Juwan-not-in-the-game. I don’t care. Many Aztec fans deplore this side of Mr. Horton, but I offer my inestimable support (incredibly valuable. Much like your drunken friend cheering you on during a fight . . . that you are losing) in preparation for the MWC schedule. You know, what really matters.
Then comes the Noble Hall moment. Mr. Hall catches a batted football and decides to emulate Juwan Washington (mistake). Rather than tucking the ball with both arms securely against his midsection, he assumes the spirit of Mr. Washington, and has the ball poked out of his arms into Stanford possession, which allows the halftime score of 9-7. However, I disagree with Rocky that this moment was a game changer or momentum shift.
The first possession in the third quarter features Mr. Dedeaux catching another pass from Mr. Chapman. Unreal. Based off of last year. And the year before. However, we punt.
Stanford scores by and large because of consecutive penalties on the Aztec defensive backfield. Boo.
Coach Horton then displays what could be an actual passing game. The one where receivers catch passes from Christian Chapman. I offer, Mr. Trevillion, Mr. Dedeaux, and Tim Wilson, Jr making consecutive catches. Mr. Trevillion makes another catch. John Barron hits a field goal. 16-10. Not bad.
As Stanford works towards another score, I find comfort with the fact that Bryce “Heisman” Love has done nothing. The Aztec defense has face stuffed him all game long. When Stanford goes horizontal, they do so with nothing to show. Yet, when they throw vertical, our defensive backfield is at risk. The Stanford receivers stepped in front and made catches. They out jumped us and made catches. Thus, the Aztec defensive weakness. But, better to have one weakness than many.
Remaining Aztec highlights of the third and fourth quarters feature another 40+ run by Mr. Washington and catches by Mr. Dedeaux and Mr. Wilson, plus a nine yard run by Chase Jasmin. We had a chance to score during the Dedeaux-Wilson-Jasmin sequence, but our o-line gave up consecutive sacks of Mr. Chapman. Again, boo.
As we move forward, the Aztec offensive line needs to ignore the media praise. The big guys need to prove their collective worth. Sustain your blocks and protect your quarterback. The defensive secondary must stay stride for stride with taller wider receivers or face similar results via this 31-10 loss. And, STOP WITH THE PENALTIES ALREADY!!!!. Over 100 yards? C’mon. Parker Baldwin had a career game. Juwan Washington is the real deal. We seem to have the beginnings of a passing game.
Next is Sacramento State at home. Fireworks await. I want a shutout (okay, I’ll accept a single digit) of Hornet offense. Pound and ground, then stretch the field. May Fred Trevillion catch the first ball thrown to him (I may pass out. Get it?). Deliver good basic football without a field’s worth of penalties.
Aztecs, 0-1.
Eleven to go.
tipmypitch 