For more than a decade the San Diego State Aztec Football Team has generated little enthusiasm and fewer wins. As a result, they received minimal community support. The empty seats at Qualcomm Stadium speak volumes about the apathy created by season after season of lousy football. In a city that offers so much in the way of entertainment possibilities people are not going to show up on Saturday nights to watch their team consistently defeated and often humiliated.

   Anyone who has watched the (2-1) Aztecs this season can sense that they are turning the corner on their inept recent past and becoming a whole lot more competitive. Opening with convincing back to back victories over agreeably weak opponents, the Red & Black took their show on road last weekend and had 25th ranked Missouri on the ropes deep into the fourth quarter. The Aztecs came within an eyelash of winning that supposed David and Goliath match-up. Missouri would have never won that game without the help of a critical blown call by the referees. Take away that non-call and the Aztecs would be sporting a (3-0) record for the first time since 1981.

   While some continue lambasting the Aztecs for their penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, a smarter move would be to climb aboard the Aztec Express. This 2010 San Diego State team is going places. With an exciting, competitive team to cheer on and reasonably priced seats, there is no reason why the Aztecs won’t soon see a dramatic rise in demand for their tickets.

   Against Missouri, running behind a much improved offensive line, freshman sensation Ronnie Hillman exploded for 228 yards and two touchdowns. For the second week in row Hillman’s efforts were acknowledged by his selection as the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week. His electrifying touchdown runs of 75 and 93 yards stunned the Missouri faithful and energized the Aztec offense.

   Afterward rather then reveling in his own accomplishments, Hillman was focused entirely on the disappointment he felt in losing to a team that the Aztecs should have defeated.

   “You are never satisfied with what you do. You have to constantly get better. We have to do a better job of finishing and we have to get mentally and physically tougher. We also have to do a better job of controlling the clock especially at the end of the game. It was a tough loss,” he told the Aztec video crew, “but we have to come back. We can’t let this continue to haunt us.”

   After reviewing the game tape on Sunday night the team closed the book on this painful loss and began focusing their attention on their next opponent Utah State (1-2).

   While the Aggies return Qualcomm Stadium with a losing record, they have played some pretty tough opponents in #7 Oklahoma and Fresno State. They are averaging nearly 29 points per game on offense. They are led by QB Diondre Borel who is as dangerous running the football as he is passing it. Utah State has two quality receivers in Stanley Morrison and Matt Austin and pair of dangerous running backs in Robert Turbin and Michael Smith. The Aggies should be an intriguing match-up for the improving Aztecs.