Nov. 12, 2000
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Game 10
San Diego State (3-6/3-2) at Air Force (7-3/4-2)
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000 * 1:05 pm (Mountain)
Falcon Stadium (52,480) * Colorado Springs, Colo.
Television: ESPN+Plus (Ch. 4 SD) * Radio: KOGO (600 AM)
Series: Falcons lead, 13-5
Television
* The San Diego State at Air Force game will be televised live byESPN+Plus, locally on Channel 4 San Diego. Chris Marlowe will call the play-by-play with JC Pearson providing the analysis.
Radio
* San Diego State's two remaining games can be heard live in San Diego on KOGO (600 AM). Jim Stone calls the action with "The Coach" John Kentera handling the color.
Two To Tango
* The San Diego State Aztecs, 3-6 overall and sole possession of third place in the Mountain West Conference with a 3-2 record, return to action this week by visiting the Air Force Academy. The Aztecs are coming off a 17-16 win at New Mexico Nov. 4th. Kickoff time is 1 p.m. MST, noon PST.
TV Time
* San Diego State makes its final appearance of the season on ESPN+Plus this week at Air Force. San Diego State alum Chris Marlowe calls the action with former Washington Huskie JC Pearson providing analysis.
* The Aztecs are making their third appearance on ESPN+Plus this season. Previous appearances on the syndicator include the home loss to Utah and the dramatic win at BYU.
* Saturday's game marks the ninth time in 10 games this season that SDSU has been televised on a local, regional or national basis.
The Situation
* The Aztecs will not go bowling this season but there is still plenty of incentive. SDSU can still finish second in the league with a pair of wins in the final two games of the season against Air Force and UNLV.
The Streak Continues
* San Diego State carries its road winning streak to Colorado Springs this week. The Aztecs have won four straight conference road games (including the 1999 game at UNLV) for the first time since the 1991 and '92 seasons.
* The Aztecs closed the 1991 WAC campaign with a win at Utah and began the 1992 league road slate with wins at BYU, at New Mexico and at Colorado State.
A Victory Would...
* A win at Air Force would mark San Diego State's first five-game road winning streak against league competition for the first time since the Aztecs won five straight against Pacific Coast Athletic Association competition from 1972 to 1975.
The Conquests
* During the road winning streak, San Diego State put to rest some negative history. The win at Wyoming (34-0) to open Mountain West Conference play was the first for San Diego State in Laramie since the 1984 season, ending a six-game losing streak.
* The victory at Brigham Young was just the second win ever for SDSU in Provo and the first since 1992.
* The win at New Mexico marked San Diego State's biggest rally from a road deficit since Sept. 18, 1993, when the Aztecs overcame at 31-14 deficit to win at Air Force, 38-31.
Maintaining The Mountain
* With the win at New Mexico, San Diego State improved to 6-6 in its two years in the Mountain West Conference. The Aztecs have a win over every league opponent except Utah (0-2) and Air Force (0-1).
* The Aztecs matched last season's three wins in league play with their win at New Mexico.
More On The Mountain
* In its 12 Mountain West Conference games to date, the Aztecs have played five contests that have been decided by a touchdown or less, including three games decided by one point.
* San Diego State has outscored its Mountain West opposition by a combined total of 255-225.
Defensive Scores
* The Aztecs will looking to keep another unique streak alive at Air Force. The Aztecs have returned interceptions for touchdowns in two straight games.
* Ricky Sharpe returned an interception 57 yards for a score against Colorado State and Will Demps got in the act with a 43-yard interception return at New Mexico.
The Series
* It has been a wild and competitive series between the Falcons and Aztecs. Air Force leads it by a 13-5 count.
* The last seven games have been decided by a combined 23 points, including three games decided by a point, an overtime game and an SDSU win in which the Aztecs climbed from a 31-14 deficit to a 38-31 win.
* Air Force won five of those seven games, including last season's 23-22 nailbiter in Qualcomm Stadium.
* The Aztecs are 2-7 all-time in Colorado Springs with the last win coming in 1993, 38-31. San Diego State has only played in Colorado Springs once since 1993.
Last Year At The Q
* Mike Thiessen's three-yard run with 4:09 remaining put the Falcons on top by the eventual final score of 23-22.
* San Diego State's final drive ended with an interception as Air Force won the Mountain West opener for both schools.
* Thiessen rushed for 134 yards to offset a 202-yard passing effort by Aztec Jack Hawley.
* Air Force was 12-of-19 on third-down conversions and did not commit a turnover.
* The game was brisk as the teams combined for a total of five penalties.
Jomar Butler : He Just Makes Plays
* You won't find him in the San Diego State media guide, but there may not be a bigger impact player or a better story in the Mountain West Conference this season than SDSU's Jomar Butler. An unlikely hero who missed all of the 1999 season after an injury-plagued freshman campaign, Butler has exploded on the scene from his weak-side linebacker position. Since SDSU's third game of the season at Arizona, consider the following:
* Despite starting only the last six games, Butler enters the Air Force contest as the Aztecs' leading tackler with 87 tackles, 70 of which have been solo stops, and seven tackles for loss.
* Butler has been the Aztecs' leading tackler in six of eight games this season and has recorded double-digit tackles in five of SDSU's last six games, including an amazing 17-tackle performance at New Mexico.
* In SDSU's last six contests, Butler has averaged just under 13 tackles per game, including 16 at Brigham Young and 13 versus Colorado State. He also had two pass break-ups, three tackles for loss and a sack versus the Cougars.
* Against Utah, Butler finished with a game-high 11 tackles (two for loss), and an interception. The junior also was credited with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery when he stripped Ute running back Adam Tate and then pounced on the loose ball.
* Butler made his first start this year at Arizona, finishing with seven tackles and knocking down an Ortege Jenkins lateral that was recovered by safety Garret Pavelko.
* The Carson, Calif., product posted his first double-digit tackle performance at Oregon State, recording a team-leading 11 stops (seven solo). Butler was also SDSU's leading tackler at Wyoming with seven stops.
Sheriff Steps Up
* With seven starts now under his belt, sophomore quarterback Lon Sheriff appears to be getting the hang of this college football thing.
* Sheriff has led the Aztecs to a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks in the last three games.
* After struggling to cope with New Mexico's blitz early on, Sheriff settled down in the second half, connecting of 9-of-12 attempts for 129 yards after intermission to lead the Aztecs back from a 16-0 defecit.
* 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 Tolver) and a career-long touchdown pass (64 yards to 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 -- and led SDSU on the game winning drive with 46 seconds to play.
* 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 three 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 went for more than 20 yards. He also had five completions of 20 yards or more against CSU to go with a pair at New Mexico.
Go-To Guy
* Wide receiver J.R. Tolver has been like 7-11 so far this season -- always open. The Mountain West's leading receiver in receptions per game, Tolver ranks 33rd nationally in both receptions per game (5.6) and 38th receiving yardage per game (74.8). He has also accounted for over 30 percent of all SDSU receptions (50-of-163) and 35 percent of the Aztecs' total aerial yardage (673-of-1904).
* At New Mexico, Tolver hauled in six catches for 64 yards, including a 20 yarder during the Aztecs' game-winning drive. It was the seventh time in nine games that he has registered at least five catches. The sophomore has led SDSU in receiving in each of those seven games.
* 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. His 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.
* Tolver entered the 2000 season with just nine career receptions for 101 yards.
Dialing Long Distance
* 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 three games, twice posting 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 against the Cougars, 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 at BYU that was a career best.
* Lewis' 21.0 ypc average versus New Mexico improved his season yards-per-catch average to a team-leading 20.5. 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.
No Worries, Mate
* Garrick Simmons became the 22nd Aztec to make his first career start this season when he opened the New Mexico game at running back.
* With Larry Ned and James Truvillion both sidelined with injuries, Simmons showed no first-time jitters, however, toting the ball 28 times for 88 yards -- a season-high in yardage for an Aztec running back.
* The 6-2, 220-pound sophomore was especially effective during the fourth quarter, rushing 14 times for 53 yards as the Aztecs wore down the Lobo defense.
Crucial Catches
* Though he's only recorded 12 receptions for 107 yards this season, senior Bill Hammett may have been as responsible as anyone for SDSU's win at New Mexico. With starter Sean Pierce lost to a knee injury, Hammett came off the bench to record three second-half receptions for 34 yards. All three catches went for first downs, including a pair of third-and-long conversions.
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 32nd consecutive start at New Mexico.
Robles Rules
* Junior outside linebacker Dylan Robles posted one of the best all-around games by an Aztec this season at New Mexico. Making just his fourth start, Robles was credited with 15 tackles, including four for loss, and a pair of sacks. He also caused a fumble and recovered a fumble. For his efforts, the junior was named Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week. * With 49 tackles (38 solo) on the year, Robles is SDSU's sixth-leading tackler. He is also second on the squad in tackles for loss (8.0-28) and tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0-25).
Demps the Man
* Junior safety Will Demps continue to emerge as one of the MWC top defensive backs.
* The Aztecs' third-leading tackler with 66 stops, the former walk-on registered his second career interception return for touchdown at New Mexico, sparking SDSU's come-from-behind victory over the Lobos with his 43-yard pick.
* Demps was named the Mountain West Conference's inaugural defensive player of the week Sept. 4, after accounting for a career- and game-high 15 tackles, including 10 solo stops, versus ASU. He also registered three tackles for loss and seven of his 15 stops resulted in gains of two yards or less.
* Demps had 40 tackles for the entire 1999 campaign.
Russell Earns Academic Award
* San Diego State's "do everything" Brian Russell has done it in the classroom as well. Russell has been named as an academic all-district pick to the Verizon-Co-SIDA team. As a result, Russell will appear on the academic all-America ballot.
* Russell owns a 3.41 GPA and is majoring in kinesiology.
Russell Does it All
* Senior Brian Russell enters the Air Force game listed as SDSU's starter at cornerback 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 started the first eight games of the season at free safety prior to his start at corner versus New Mexico.
* Russell was switched to defense midway through last season. SDSU's starter at quarterback for the first two games of the '99 campaign, Russell ranks fourth on the team in total tackles this season with 59.
* 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 made three starts in the Aztec secondary a year ago and was a 10-game starter at quarterback in 1998.
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 55 tackles on the season (SDSU's fifth-most), five pass break-ups and three fumble recoveries.
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 eight tackles (six solo). The effort was good enough to earn him his first career start at New Mexico. Against the Lobos, Pavelko finished with a career high 10 tackles and now has 46 on the season -- the seventh-most on the team. Tough in blitzing situations, Pavelko also has three sacks on the year and forced a fumble on a third versus Arizona.
* Pavelko is scheduled to make his second straight start this week at Air Force.
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 nine games thus far as the Aztecs' middle linebacker, enters the Air Force game second on the team in tackles with 71 (57 solo) after being credited for eight solo stops against New Mexico. 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.
Tandberg Climbing Charts
* Senior placekicker Nate Tandberg enters the Air Force game with 227 career points. That figure ranks him third in kick scoring and fourth in career points at SDSU.
* With his fourth-quarter field goal at New Mexico, Tandberg has now tallied the final points in two games this season. He posted perhaps the most critical three points of his career earlier this season 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.
* 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.
* After opening the season with a pair of misses versus Arizona State (37 and 47 yards), Tandberg has connected on 10-of his last 12 attempts, including 3-of-6 from beyond 40 yards.
Just for Kicks
* Sophomore kicker/punter Brian Simnjanovski just keeps getting better and better. Simnjanovski, who walked on at SDSU prior to the 1999 season, earned the Aztecs' kickoff duties shortly after arriving on Montezuma Mesa last fall. This year, the sophomore has also won SDSU's punting job. New to the skill, Simnjanovski has taken to it like a fish to water and ranks 16th nationally with a 42.9 yards per kick average.
SDSU-AFA Connections
* Thirteen AFA players call California home with one, junior punter John Cortney, hailing from San Diego. Cortney attended St. Augustine High School. No SDSU players are from Colorado.