If the San Diego State Aztecs fail to qualify for a bowl game this season, they may look back upon last week’s gut-wrenching loss to San Jose State as a major reason why. In one of the most wildly entertaining, but ultimately heartbreaking games played at the “Q” in recent memory, the Aztecs suffered a fourth quarter 21-point defensive collapse that negated the many good things accomplished by their versatile offense.

Sophomore sensation Adam Muema ran over, around and through the Spartan defense for 202 yards on 25 carries. His 83-yard touchdown burst will no doubt be prominently featured on the 2012 highlight reel.

Senior Quarterback Ryan Katz was again solid and sometimes spectacular completing 17 of his 29 attempts for 213 yards two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Junior tight end Gavin Escobar led the receiving corps with five catches for 46 yards and a nifty back of the endzone grab to knot the score late in the third quarter.

Senior running back Walter Kazee slashed his way to 90 hard-fought yards and a touchdown on 17 his carries.

Unfortunately, these impressive individual efforts were overshadowed by what was happening on the other side of the ball . The Black and Red was done in by their blitz-happy defense and multiple special teams blunders that provided a solid (3-1) San Jose State team with all the help they needed.

Realizing that his young defensive line is not at this point capable of mounting much of a pass rush, Aztec head coach Rocky Long blitzed early and often. The strategy seemed to work for a while. But by the fourth quarter, Spartan quarterback David Fales and his offensive line where able to pick up the blitzers and neutralize the Aztec pass rush. That left various Spartan receivers embarrassingly wide open. Fales had little trouble in finding them.

To be sure, the shoddy fourth quarter Aztecs defense played a major role in aiding and abetting the Spartans, but the Aztecs special teams were on this night anything but special. In the course of a 60-minute game they allowed kickoff returns of 67 and 97 yards (the latter being a touchdown return for the visitors), fumbled away a punt on their own 28-yard line resulting in a chip-shot Spartan field goal, offered up several weak kickoffs, and tackled on special teams as if the opposing ball carriers were coated with Teflon.

The Aztecs will try to regroup on the road next weekend against Fresno State (2-2) before returning home to face Hawaii at the “Q” on Oct. 6. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. Following the game fans will be treated to the annual KGB Skyshow. For tickets visit go aztecs.com