Oct. 29, 2000
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San Diego State (2-6/2-2) at New Mexico (5-4/3-1)
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000 * 4:05 pm (Mountain)
University Stadium (31,218) * Albuquerque, N.M.
Television: Ch. 4 San Diego
Radio: KOGO (600 AM)
Series: Aztecs lead, 19-7
Television
The San Diego State at New Mexico game will be televised live by SportsWest, locally on Channel 4 San Diego. Mike Powers will call the play-by-play with Craig Hislop providing the analysis.
The Final Three
* The San Diego State Aztecs are heading down the stretch of the 2000 football season as they head to Albuquerque this week to take on the University of New Mexico. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Mountain (3 p.m. Pacific).
Lobos And Idle
* Following the trip to New Mexico, San Diego State will have an open date before returning to play at Colorado Springs vs. the Air Force Academy on Nov. 18th.
On The Tube
* San Diego State's final three football games will be televised locally on Channel 4 San Diego. Saturday's game at New Mexico will mark San Diego State's first appearance on SportsWest. The Air Force game will be featured on ESPN+Plus and the season finale vs. UNLV will also be a SportsWest game.
SDSU Lately
* San Diego State fell to 2-6 overall and 2-2 in the MountainWest Conference with Saturday's 34-22 loss to league-leading Colorado State. SDSU is now 2-2 in its last four games. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 5-6 in its two years of Mountain West Conference play.
Road Streakers
* The Aztecs will be looking to continue their strong road play when they hit Albuquerque this weekend. San Diego State will be trying to win its fourth consecutive conference road game and improve to 3-0 in MWC road games this season.
More On The Road
* San Diego State has won three straight conference road games for the first time since the 1995 season. The Aztecs last won four consecutive conference road games in 1991-92.
* SDSU closed the 1991 WAC road slate with a win at Utah and began 1992 with wins at Brigham Young, at New Mexico and at Colorado State. New Mexico is 2-0 in conference home games.
The Series
* San Diego State leads the all-time series, 19-7, with the first meeting coming back in 1953. The road team has won five of the last six games in the series.
* The Lobos won last year's game in Qualcomm Stadium, 24-21. New Mexico will be trying to win two in a row vs. San Diego State for the first time since 1982 and 1983.
* San Diego State has won 14 of the last 16 meetings, but New Mexico has taken two of the last three contests.
* The Aztecs are 9-3 all-time in Albuquerque, including wins in each of the last seven trips, dating back to 1983.
Last Season
* In a scenario that is becoming too familiar to the Aztecs, SDSU won the stat battle but lost the game.
* The Lobos capitalized on early San Diego State miscues to take a quick 14-0 lead and eventually posted a 24-21 win.
* SDSU outgained the Lobos by a 443-241 count, but lost four fumbles (including one that was returned 71 yards for a touchdown) and tossed an interception.
* Larry Ned rushed for 121 yards in a losing effort and Jack Hawley passed for 275 yards. Last Time In Albuquerque.
* On its last visit to New Mexico, San Diego State's 1998 bowl team escaped with a 36-33 overtime victory.
* The clinching score came on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Brian Russell (SDSU's starting safety) to Damon Gourdine.
* New Mexico generated 520 yards of offense in the contest, but San Diego State countered with a rushing attack that featured 166 yards from Jonas Lewis and 146 yards from Larry Ned. Brian Russell passed for 114 yards.
* Nate Tandberg booted a 26-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter that gave SDSU a 30-21 lead, before New Mexico rallied to send the game into the extra frame.
Offensive Steps
* San Diego State's offense may not yet be living up to the gaudy traditional numbers in Mission Valley, but the injury-riddled unit is showing clear signs of progress.
* San Diego State posted its second 400-yard effort (419) of the season vs. Colorado State.
* SDSU's 393 passing yards vs. Colorado State, marked the best effort through the air by the Aztecs since Billy Blanton hit Fresno State for a 396-yards on Nov. 23, 1996.
* Saturday's loss vs. Colorado State marked the second time this season that the Aztecs won the total-yardage battle but lost the game. The other came in the season opener vs. Arizona State when SDSU outgained the Sun Devils, 319-270.
* The Aztecs faced the Rams without five of its preseason starters (quarterback Jack Hawley, tight end Gray McNeill, running back Larry Ned and offensive linemen Chris Williams and Zach LaMonda).
Bigger Plays
* The quick-strike capabilities of the 1999 Aztecs had been absent during the 2000 season until recently.
* Against Brigham Young, Lon Sheriff hit Derrick Lewis for a 39-yard pass to set up the game-winning field goal by Lon Sheriff. Earlier in the game, the two connected on a 46-yard throw-and-catch that marked San Diego State's longest play from scrimmage in 2000.
* That play was bettered twice in Saturday's loss to Colorado State. Lewis had a 64-yard TD reception against the Rams to pull SDSU to within 24-17 in the second quarter and J.R. Tolver hauled in a 71-yard reception against Colorado State to set up a field goal.
* In the first four games of the season, SDSU had just one play that covered 30 yards.
* In the last four games, the Aztecs have gone for 30 yards or more eight times.
Defense Numbers
* San Diego State's perplexing season continued Saturday. One week ago, Brigham Young gained 439 yards of offense, the most allowed by the Aztec defense this season. SDSU won the contest, 16-15.
* On Saturday against Colorado State, the Aztecs allowed just 316 yards of total offense, the third lowest against SDSU defenders this season. SDSU lost the game, 34-22.
Ned Tops 2000
* With 47 yards on 18 carries versus Illinois, senior running back Larry Ned moved into SDSU's all-time top 10 in both career carries and rushing. Six games later, Ned became just ninth Aztec to rush for 2000 yards in a career with 59 yards on 19 carries at BYU. He finished the game ranked ninth on SDSU's career rushing chart with 2,013 yards. He also ranks sixth on the Aztecs' all-time carries list with 454. With 44 yards against Colorado State, Ned will vault past Paul Hewitt (2,056 yards from 1987-88) into eighth all time on the SDSU career rushing chart.
Ned Nuggets
* Ned's 19-yard second quarter touchdown at BYU was his fifth TD this season and 19th of his career. It was also the longest scoring run of the season for the Aztecs and the longest by Ned since he galloped 35 yards to paydirt in last year's season finale versus Wyoming.
* Ned's third quarter touchdown run versus the Cougars was the 20th of his career. Coupled with his second quarter scoring run, Ned has now notched two multiple TD games this season - Wyoming was the other - and six during his Aztec career.
Tandberg Climbing Charts
* Senior placekicker Nate Tandberg enters the New Mexico game with 222 career points. That figure ranks him third in kick scoring and fourth in career points at SDSU.
* With his pair of field goals versus Colorado State (35 and 25 yards), Tandberg has now notched three multiple field goal games this season and 13 during his career.
* Tandberg posted perhaps the most critical three points of his career, however, at BYU, when he drilled a 35-yard field goal with just 0:01 to play to lift the Aztecs to victory. It was his second career game-winning kick. As a freshman in 1997, Tandberg booted a 24-yarder in overtime to give SDSU a 20-17 victory over UNLV.
* After opening the season with a pair of misses versus Arizona State (37 and 47 yards), Tandberg has connected on 9-of-12 attempts, including 3-of-5 from beyond 40 yards.
Mr. 7-11
* Wide receiver J.R. Tolver has been like 7-11 so far this season -- always open. The sophomore, who ranks 37th nationally in both receptions per game (5.5) and receiving yardage per game (76.4), has accounted for nearly 30 percent of all SDSU receptions (44-of-151) and 35 percent of the Aztecs' total aerial yardage (609-of-1756).
* In his most recent outing against Colorado State, Tolver hauled in seven catches for a career-high 146 yards, including a 71-yard bomb from quarterback Lon Sheriff that stands as the Aztecs' longest play from scrimmage this season.
* Tolver's performance against the Rams was the second time this season that he cracked triple digits in receiving yardage -- 129 yards at Wyoming was the other -- and the sixth time he has registered at least five catches. The sophomore has now led SDSU in receiving in six of seven games on the year.
* Tolver entered the 2000 season with just nine career receptions for 101 yards.
Difference-Maker Resurfaces
* After a stellar sophomore campaign, junior Derrick Lewis got off to a slow start in 2000. However, the New Orleans product has returned to form in the last two games, posting back-to-back triple-digit receiving yardage performances.
* Against Colorado State, Lewis finished with four receptions for 104 yards (26.0 ypc), including a season-long 64-yard touchdown catch.
* The previous week at BYU, Lewis posting several huge catches against the, including a 39-yarder over the middle in the final moments that set up SDSU's game-winning field goal and a 46-yarder to the Cougar 2-yard-line that led to an Aztec touchdown. In all, Lewis registered four receptions for 129 yards (32.3 ypc), his best performance since he hauled in four balls for 134 yards last year at Kansas. Lewis also had a game-opening 57-yard kickoff return that was a career best at BYU.
* Lewis' 26.0 ypc average versus CSU improved his season yards-per-catch average to a team-leading 20.4. Last season, he averaged 21.2 yards every time he touched the ball.
* Even more impressive is Lewis' average on touchdown receptions. Though he only has two this season -- a 40-yarder at Wyoming and the previously mentioned 64-yarder against CSU, none has been shorter than 36 yards. In fact, Lewis' six career touchdown receptions now average 55.7 yards each.
Sheriff Steps Up
* With six starts now under his belt, sophomore quarterback Lon Sheriff appears to be getting the hang of this college football thing.
* Against Colorado State, Sheriff registered his best performance as a quarterback, connecting on a career-best 30-for-46 passing (65.2 percent) for a career-high 393 yards and a touchdown. His 393 yards passing were the most by an Aztec QB since Billy Blanton threw for 395 versus Fresno State in 1996 and the most by a sophomore since Blanton totaled 447 against FSU in 1994. He also posted a career-long completion (71 yards to J.R. Tolver) and a career-long touchdown pass (64 yards to Derrick Lewis).
* Sheriff's numbers weren't eye-popping at BYU, but the sophomore made big plays at crucial times and did not turn the ball over. Sheriff finished the game 14-for-30 passing for 239 yards -- the third-most productive outing of his career.
* Sheriff had his second-best career outing in start No. 3 at Wyoming, completing 19-of-27 passes for 317 yards, including scoring strikes of nine and 40 yards.
* In the last two games, Sheriff has also been able to do something the Aztecs have tried but struggled with all season -- stretch defenses. Of his 14 completions at BYU, five were for more than 20 yards. Against CSU, Sheriff tallied five completions of more than 20 yards.
Pierce-ing Catches
* Senior Sean Pierce posted a career-high six receptions against Colorado State for 71 yards. It is the second time this season that Pierce has finished with at-least 70 yards receiving. The Aztecs' third-leading receiver this season with 19 receptions for 229 yards, he recorded a career-best 74 yards on four catches earlier this season at Wyoming.
Catching On
* Junior college transfer Brian Gelt had his best outing as an Aztec against Colorado State, hauling in six receptions for 35 yards. He entered the game with just four catches for 24 yards on the year. He had undergone finger surgery just four days earlier.
Utility Man
* James Truvillion's "whatever it takes" approach is beginning to pay dividends for the Aztecs. The junior made his third career start at running back and fifth overall this season against Colorado State. Truvillion was SDSU's starting h-back against Oregon State and Utah.
* Truvillion ranks third on the team in all-purpose yardage with 501 on the season, including 230 yards rushing (second on team) and 100 yards receiving (fourth).
* Against Oregon State, Truvillion rushed for 47 yards on 10 carries, caught two passes for 25 yards and returned four kickoffs for 69 yards. The junior was nearly as strong at Wyoming, rushing for 25 yards on six attempts and hauling in two passes for 29 yards. In SDSU's game against Utah, the San Marcos product rushed for 34 yards on three attempts (11.3 ypc) and hauled in two passes.
* Truvillion opened the season with a career-high 73 yards on 19 carries in the season opener versus Arizona State.
Looking Sharpe
* Sophomore Ricky Sharpe posted his first career interception and touchdown on the same play against Colorado State, returning a Matt Newton pass 57 yards to paydirt during the second quarter. It was the Aztecs' first interception returned for score since Will Demps' 73-yard return against Wyoming on Nov. 27, 1999.
* Sharpe also has 51 tackles on the season (SDSU's fifth-most), three pass break-ups and three fumble recoveries.
Stalwart Statement
* Defensive tackle Jerome Haywood has been a model of endurance during his 2.5-year Aztec career, starting every game. The junior, who prepped locally at Castle Park, made his 31st consecutive start against Colorado State.
* Haywood may have had his best game of the season against the Rams, finishing with a season-high eight tackles (seven solo), including two for loss (-3 yards). Haywood's also posted his career-high tackle performance against CSU, posting nine stops last season versus the Rams in Ft. Collins.
Senior Leader
* If there has been one player on defense that has stepped forward and accepted the role of leader, it has been Brian Berg. Berg, who has started all eight games thus far as the Aztecs' middle linebacker, enters the New Mexico game third on the team in tackles with 63 (52 solo) after being credited for seven solo stops against CSU. Berg posted a season-high 12 tackles in the opener against Arizona State, however, he may have had his most productive outing of the season at Wyoming, finishing the game with six tackles (five unassisted), an 8-yard sack and a forced fumble. Berg made two starts last year in his Aztec debut, finishing the season with 23 tackles.
Russell Does it All
* Senior Brian Russell enters the UNM game listed as SDSU's starter at free safety and as the backup at quarterback. Not wanting to burn a redshirt season for one of the Aztecs' freshmen signal callers this late in the season, coaches had Russell begin taking snaps in practice prior to SDSU's game versus Utah. Russell also saw time at cornerback versus Colorado State.
* Russell was switched to defense midway through last season. SDSU's starter at quarterback for the first two games of the '99 campaign, Russell has started all eight games at free safety in 2000, recording 52 tackles.
* He had his first career fumble recovery against Illinois, returning the ball 12 yards to set up San Diego State's only touchdown of the game. He came back to register his first career interception at Arizona. His biggest play of the season may have come at BYU, when the senior made a diving break up on a deep pass intended for Margin Hooks with less than two minutes to play.
* Russell posted a career-high 10 stops in game two versus Illinois.
* Russell, who calls the plays in the defensive huddle, made three starts in the Aztec secondary a year ago and was a 10-game starter at quarterback in 1998.
Becoming a Factor
* He has been SDSU's first option in nickel packages all season, but junior Garret Pavelko is beginning to see more and more time in non-nickel sets of late. Against Colorado State, Pavelko posted a career-best eight tackles (six solo) and now has 34 on the season -- the eighth-most on the team. Tough in blitzing situations, Pavelko also has two sacks on the year and forced a fumble on a third versus Arizona.