For three quarters last Saturday the outcome of San Diego State’s football game against Washington State University was very much in doubt. The Aztec offense was erratic in the first half with a passing game that was often out of sync. The running game wasn’t much better as it struggled against a tough Cougars defense. The defense was torched by some big plays including a 80-yard touchdown on the Cougars first play from scrimmage.

   Aztec fans had seen it all before. Here was another Pac-12 opponent and what seemed to be shaping up as another blown opportunity to finally beat a team from a BCS conference. In 22 of their most recent opportunities over the years against similar BCS competition, SDSU had lost all 22 games. They were determined not make this game their 23rd loss. They didn’t.

   Trailing 24-14 with 12:03 left in the third quarter things were starting to look bleak, but then to the delight of the 57,286 on hand, the Aztecs rose up. Their defense stiffened and kept the explosive Cougars offense from scoring another point. The offense finally got on the same page. The passing game started clicking. The run blocking improved and Ronnie Hillman started to wear down the Cougars defense.

   Rallying in the second half, the Aztecs reeled off 28 answered points on two touchdowns by Hillman and two more by tight end Gavin Escobar. Quarterback Ryan Lindley ended the game on a positive note completing 21 of his 37 passes for 273 yards two TDs (both to Escobar) and one interception. Final score Aztecs 42-WSU 24 as the Aztecs extended their record to 3-0 for the first time since 1981.

   On Saturday, (9:00 a.m. Big Ten Network) SDSU will attempt to go to 4-0. It won’t be easy. Their opponent: the Brady Hoke led University of Michigan (3-0) at the fabled “Big House.” The pregame hype has been about the Aztecs playing against their former coach. It was obvious at Tuesday’s press conference that the Aztecs are much more concerned with stopping the Wolverines electrifying quarterback Denard Robinson. Blazingly fast and blessed with an accurate arm, Robinson is nearly impossible to contain.

   “He is a special football player,” conceded Aztec coach Rocky Long. “I think he is the key to their offense. You do not see many football players like him, ever. He does some amazing things on the field that has allowed them to win.”

   For a list of viewing parties for tomorrow’s SDSU-Michigan game visit