Posts Tagged ‘Jalen Mayden’

Beavers 26, Aztecs 9

Posted: September 19, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Another ugly loss? I say no. The defense was much improved as compared to their UCLA performance (now that was bad). Plenty of chances to fold, but no. Two fourth quarter interceptions (Cedarious Barfield and Noah Tumblin) presented the Aztec offense with opportunity . . . not seized, but who can blame the defense? All game long the Aztec defense allowed the Aztec offense to hang around.

The SDSU offense for consecutive games registered significantly more time with the ball (33:21) than the opponent (26:39). Yet, only 9 points was scored. Candidly, Joshua Nicholson must stop dropping passes. Mr. Nicholson is a drive killer. Brionne Penny finally arrived with a line of 6/77. The Aztec running game was stuffed . . . again (2.1 yards per carry). Offensive coordinator Ryan Lindley used a fullback for the first time this year. May I introduce Leo Kemp. Mr. Kemp is a freshman and looked the part, but eventually caught up with the game flow. The Beavers front seven dominated the SDSU offensive line. Our front five resembled the offspring of Swiss cheese and a colander. Most of the Beavers ran into and through the Aztec backfield. Jalen Mayden was sacked 4 (!) times in the first half and twice more in the second half. Boo. Offensive line coach Mike Goff is now suspect in coaching ability and result. Mr. Goff may be this year’s Jeff Hecklinski.

Jack Browning’s atypical day of 1/3 did not lend confidence. Missing from 48 and 49 yards (he made a 52 yard attempt) is simply not Jack Browning approved.

On one hand, still a lot to fix. On the other, at least the defense held fast less a few big plays.

Go Aztecs.

2-2

SDSU 36, Idaho State 28

Posted: September 4, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Beginning the season 2-0 is certainly welcome. However (always however with me), the outcome was never sure until the clock expired. Allowing the Bengals to hang around for four quarters is indicative of a unfocused defense suffering from bright lights-shiny objects syndrome. Which will eventually result in disappointing loss.

The highlights, you ask? Limiting Idaho State to 4.4 yards per play and 2.3 yards per rush while the two Bengal qbs lit up the night sky with 63 pass attempts.

Jalen Mayden had a spectacular night running the football averaging 16.5 yards per carry. Of course, throwing for a mere 87 passing yards is the stuff of bad juco football. 13/19 is statistically impressive, but the 13 yards shy of the century mark glares like the morning sun after too much fun the night before. By the way, Tobin O’Dell was summoned to heave the ball downfield on the final play of the second quarter. A jump ball resulted in the lone Idaho State interception.

The Aztec running game (302 yards) was a pleasant blast from the past. In addition to Mr. Mayden’s production, Jaylon Armstead (5.8 yards per carry), Kenan Christon (5.7) and Martin Blake (4.8) piled on the yards as the evening progressed. Scoring 4 tds via the ground is always welcome and hopefully continuous as the season progresses.

What is not sustainable is SDSU’s 11 penalties for 85 yards at the end of the first half (14 flags for the entire game). Boo. Also of concern was the fact Idaho State scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to keep the game in doubt. Such refusal to defensively put the game out of reach may well cost the Aztecs during the next to weeks (UCLA and @ Oregon State). Beware.

2-0.

Go Aztecs.

Bulldogs 32, Aztecs 28

Posted: November 2, 2022 in Uncategorized
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Two games in one. Only one mattered.

Yes, we played a fine first half (21-10). The Aztec defense sacked Jake Haener four times. The Aztec defense corralled Jordan Mims to the point of complete irrelevance. Hard to do given the fact he was a one-man wrecking crew against us in 2021. Fresno at the end of the first half sported 13 total yards rushing, 137 yards passing (150 total yards). The Aztec quarterback Jaden Mayden passed for 78 more yards than the entire output of Fresno State in the first two quarters.

However, we froze in the second half.

Mr. Mayden’s second half passing numbers totaled a disappointing 63 yards. Three first half Aztec scores melted to one in the third quarter and zero, zilch, nada in the final quarter. Pain.

The Aztec defense suddenly found Mr. Haener to be a mystery unsolvable as he finished the game 34/45/394 and 3 tds. The boys continued to hold Mr. Mims to account, but the flying football undid us.

Candidly, any SDSU defense that surrenders 32 points makes the case for woefully unprepared for four quarters of football. Especially the back five who gave two Fresno wide receivers a total of 20 receptions for 269 yards and 3 tds. Yep. Sad, yet true.

Returning to the SDSU offense, the running game continues to border on ineffective and dances close to why-bother? 4.2 yards per carry is the stuff of stale. Remove Mr. Mayden’s 43 yards of scampering, and the Aztec running backs fall far below the pale 4.2 ypc.

Imagine posting 449 yards of total offense, 6/13 on third down and 2/3 on fourth down, then wondering, “How the hell did we lose?” Indeed.

My thoughts exactly.

Go Aztecs.

4-4/2-2

SDSU 23, Nevada 7

Posted: October 27, 2022 in Uncategorized
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The Aztec defense arrived with a vengeance. The Nevada starting qb was 2/8/11 before sitting down for the remainder of the game. The vaunted Wolf Pack running game finished with 35 yards rushing. The Aztec back eight kept the Nevada passing game below 200 yards (192). Nevada was an awful 3/14 on third down and had the ball for only 25:43. A mere touchdown on blown coverage was the lone Nevada score. Jonah Tavai sacked Nevada qb’s twice. Michael Shawcroft once.

As for the Aztec offense, well, once again mostly missing in action via six false start penalties. Plain old dumb. Hold your water boys. Game seven should (dangerous word) feature an almost flawless offensive line regarding self-inflicted wounds.

As usual, Jack Browning’s foot rode to the rescue. 3/3 and 9 points which should have been no attempts and no points, however the SDSU offense flamed out repeatedly inside the 20.

Jalen Mayden’s 12/25/156 was scattered about to seven different receivers. A step back from his Hawaii line score. One offensive td versus Hawaii was sadly replicated against Nevada. Remove Patrick McMorris’ scamper to the end zone with a Nevada fumble, the final score turns disappointingly tense at 16-7.

Chance Bell was the shining light of an otherwise dim running back performance averaging 4.6 ypc. Jordan Byrd and Cam Davis were 3.1 and 3.0 ypc. Yawn.

How I long for an Aztec game with more kickoffs than punts. Maybe someday.

Go Aztecs

4-3/2-1

SDSU 16, Hawaii 14

Posted: October 12, 2022 in Uncategorized
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Whew!

Nail biter! I can’t believe this is happening! Hawaii scored?! No!!!

Yet, we won. By two. With seven seconds remaining.

Jalen Mayden was as I advertised . . . last year. Me. I said (wrote) so. He is the guy. He was cool, calm, composed, crafty, cagey and cerebral. Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton made enough minor tweaks to route running to allow Mr. Mayden to hit the jersey numbers of his receivers time and again. None of the former throwing to sidelines with a ten percent chance of a reception, thank you very much.

Tyrell Shavers (8/149) , Jesse Matthews (6/68), Brionne Penny (4/54) and Mekhi Shaw (4/28) had a spectcular evening featuring well timed and much needed catches. If the above numbers can be duplicated the remaining six MWC games, the future is bright.

Chance Bell was the only effective running back (7/53) which was disappointing and surprising. Kenan Christon has been a mere blip to date. Jordan Byrd had an off night while Jaylon Armstead continued to nurse an unspecified injury. Cam Davis ran backwards for a three yard error.

Returning to Mr. Mayden, an evening composed of 24/36/322 and no interceptions was exceptional. I believe Braxton Burmeister officially has competition. Thank goodness.

The Aztec defense was meh. They allowed Hawaii 6.1 yards per carry, yet completions averaged less than 10 yards, however those two numbers averaged 5.9 yards per play. Boo. But wait. Hawaii was a poor 3/10 on third downs. Yet the SDSU defense created only 11 yards lost. Meh.

Jack Browning was 3/4 from the grass. He missed a 31 yard attempt with less than five minutes remaining, but hit the one that won the game. Human after all.

Go Aztecs.

3-3/1-1

Boise State 35, SDSU 13

Posted: October 5, 2022 in Uncategorized
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A tale of two games.

We looked marginally incompetent at the conclusion of the first half enjoying a score of 13-0. The Aztec defense was superb. Our offense was missing in action. We were somewhere over eastern Washington.

Behold, the fiasco of allowing 35 unanswered second half points. The banished Boise qb returned, full of knowledge and ability. Our defense turned to stone. Too much? How about immobile and a step late? Better?

The death knell of Jeff Hecklinski was delivered at volume ten. Braxton Burmeister’s smack to the head (pure targeting. What the hell were the officials watching? Did someone dare utter, “The Boise defender didn’t mean to lower his head in a vicious manner. Plus, he has a kitten”) was intentional, thus knocking Mr. Burmeister out of his third game of five played. Kyle Crum duly had his collarbone broken, thus hurling his fellow true freshman, Lui Aumavae, into the swirling cauldron of inept offense.

My personal highlight was Chance Bell looking skyward to the coaches box after, yet another run up the middle on third and horizon, shrugging his shoulders and mouthing “Really?” Amen, Chance.

Returning to Mr. Aumavae, I sensed a certain spunk, a-la no hesitation from the first snap forward. I hold hope that he will serve well once Mr. Burmeister is again injured and forced to leave each and every remaining 2022 game. Also, I am all in on Jalen Mayden returning to quarterback status. He was my odds on favorite to win the job at the conclusion of the 2021 season. I barely missed.

Finally, another great effort by Jack Browning (10 punts/49.5 per). Without him, tack on a couple of additional touchdowns on behalf of Arizona, Utah and Boise.

Go Aztecs.

2-2/0-1