It was déjà vu all over again last weekend for the now 3-2 SDSU Aztec Football Team. Playing against an acknowledged tough opponent, TCU, (4-2) the Aztecs came up with an error-filled, lackluster performance and ended up on the short end of a 27-14 score. Earlier this season the Aztecs tried and failed against a similarly talented team (Michigan) by aiding and abetting that opponent with costly turnovers.

   For the second outing in a row senior quarterback Ryan Lindley (15 of 41 with 3 Ints.) was not on the same page as his receivers often throwing behind them, over them or to the opposition. The running game was not much better. Keying on sophomore sensation Ronnie Hillman, the TCU defense limited the Aztecs to just 109 yards on the ground and held Hillman to a meager 2.8 yards per carry and a very costly fumble.

   While the TCU Horned Frogs are not the highly-ranked juggernaut that they were last season, they were plenty good enough to handle the charitable Aztecs as the Horned Frogs continued their successful defense of last year’s Mountain West championship.

   Their fleet-footed receivers, Antoine Hicks and Josh Boyce toasted the Aztecs secondary for 189 yards and 2 TDS. Horned Frogs running backs Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker combined for 218 yards on the ground and one score.

   All in all, it was a rather disappointing outing for the Aztecs. They got off to the same slow start that they limped to against Michigan. The out of sync offense had a hard time staying on the field. This put additional pressure on the defense. By half-time, the Aztecs had fallen behind 17-0. The Horned Frogs added a third period field goal to make it 20-0 before the Aztecs could finally get on the board.

   With 5:29 left in the third period towering tight end Gavin Escobar got the Aztecs going when he muscled a 16-yard pass away from several TCU defenders. An impressive catch and run by Escobar during the Aztecs next offensive possession helped set up their second touchdown.

   When little-used fullback Chad Young scored on a short 4-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 20-14, Aztec fans could sense a momentum shift. Their optimism turned out to be short lived.

   On their next offensive series, Aztec quarterback Ryan Lindley served up his third interception of the day. Shortly thereafter, the Horned Frogs took that gift and converted it into another touchdown. With the score then 27-14 and the clock winding down, the Aztecs were doomed to their second consecutive defeat.

   The Aztecs played a rare Thursday night game last night against Air Force (3-2). They return to the “Q” to take on Wyoming on October 29 @ 7:00 p.m. For tickets and information visit: www.goaztecs.com