It was just like old times. The Aztecs were using their solid ground game and vaunted aerial attack to, as legendary Aztec coach Don Coryell used to say, “kick the living bejesus” out of their opponent. Rarely since the glory days of Fred Dryer, Dennis Shaw and Haven Moses have the Aztecs so thoroughly defeated a rival. Last week’s 41-7 dismantling of Utah State brought back some cherished memories for SDSU’s longest tenured fans. It also got them thinking about what at last looks like a brighter future. Could San Diego State finally be emerging from the Dark Ages of Ineptitude? It sure looks like it.
It seems like only yesterday that the Aztecs couldn’t get out of their own way and were getting embarrassed on their home turf by lower division teams. Does the name Cal Poly ring a bell?
During the first two weeks of the current season, the Aztecs won handily, but against clearly inferior competition. Then on September 18 they gave 25th ranked Missouri the scare of their lives before allowing them to escape with an unlikely victory. Last Saturday’s trouncing of Utah State suggests that after what has seemed like an eternity a new era of Aztec football is beginning.
Last weekend the heroes were many and the victory complete. Junior quarterback Ryan Lindley stretched the Aggie defense for 362 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Vincent Brown put on clinic at the Aggies expense hauling in five passes for 177 yards and two scintillating touchdowns. After watching film of Ronnie Hillman from the previous two weeks the Aggies wisely decided to key on him. The extra attention slowed the phenomenal freshman down a bit, but he still ran for 89 yards and a touchdown.
The defense looked much improved too. In fact, had an Aztec turnover not provided the Aggies with the ball in scoring position Rocky Long’s defense might have posted its second shutout of the season.
Now sporting a 3-1 record for the first time since 1993, the Aztecs are positioning themselves for a truly memorable season. With no game scheduled for this weekend they have an opportunity to heal their wounds before traveling to Provo for an Oct. 9 showdown with BYU.
They have beaten the Cougars just twice in the last decade, but with BYU struggling out of the gate to a 1-3 record, this could be the year that the Aztecs get some measure of revenge.
“This should be an exciting game because we are opening up conference play with them. It will be a good measure of where we are in the conference. I can’t say that that there are any grudges or anything like that, but they are in our conference and this is a conference game,” said Aztecs defensive tackle Jerome Long. “Our goal is to win the Mountain West Conference, so (beating them) would be one step toward that goal.”
Next up: San Diego State at BYU on Oct. 9 at 3:00. The game will be broadcast live on Channel 4 and KOGO Radio 600.
