Two weeks ago, the San Diego State Aztecs (4-2, 1-1) kept their postseason bowl plans on track with an impressive 41-27 road victory over Air Force. That game, however, was a lot closer than the score would indicate. The teams were locked in a 20-20 stalemate until late in the third quarter. After a key Air Force fumble put the Aztecs in excellent field position, SDSU quarterback Ryan Lindley connected with Colin Lockett for a 27-20 lead. From that point on, the Aztecs offense, behind some crisp blocking and the masterful running of Ronnie Hillman took charge. 

   Prior to that point, the Air Force defense had done a reasonably good job of bottling up the Aztecs talented sophomore running back. But in the fourth quarter, Hillman sprang to life torching the tired Air Force defense on touchdown runs of 22 and 57 yards. Air Force added a touchdown late in the game to close the gap to 41-27, but the combination of Hillman’s  running and Lindley’s passing was too much for the (3-4, 0-2) Falcons to overcome.

   Following last weekend’s bye, the Aztecs will return to action tomorrow night at Qualcomm Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. match-up against the University of Wyoming Cowboys (4-2, 1-0).

   Last year, the Cowboys staged an incredible 30-27 come from behind victory when they visited the Aztecs. The Cowboys, with the help of some shoddy Aztec defense, managed to overcome a 21-point fourth quarter deficit in what was the low point of the Aztecs 2010 season. The Aztecs are determined to not allow history to repeat itself this time around.

   The Cowboys offense is averaging about 30 points per game behind the passing of Brett Smith (123 of 208 with nine TDs) and the running of Ghaali Muhammad (316 yds.), Alvester Alexander (333 yds.) and Brandon Miller (253 yds.) Smith, a running quarterback, has added 211 yards on the ground.

   Smith’s targets in the Cowboys aerial game include Robert Herron (30 receptions for 267 yards and three TDs), Chris McNeill (20 for 227 yards and one TD) and Mazi Ogbonna (19 for 195 yards and two TDs). Smith likes to move the ball around and has seven additional players with multiple receptions. Tomorrow’s game should be a good test for the Aztecs. A win would advance them to 5-2. After tomorrow, four of their five remaining opponents have losing records. If they can avoid catastrophic injuries and play to their ability the Aztecs have an excellent chance of playing in their second consecutive bowl game. They might even improve upon last year’s 8-4 regular season record.