Oct. 17, 2004
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POSTGAME NOTES
Colorado State defeated SDSU for the fifth straight time in San Diego, dating back to a 30-3 Aztec victory in 1993 ... the Aztecs suffered their first loss at home this season and their first in their last five opportunities in San Diego.
With today's attendance of 31,129, each of SDSU's three home games this season have exceded the 30,000-mark. The last time the Aztecs had three straight home games with 30,000 or more fans was in 1999, when they had 31,856 against Air Force on Oct. 2 (Air Force 23, SDSU 22), 30,508 versus New Mexico on Oct. 9 (New Mexico 24, SDSU 21) and 40,836 against BYU on Nov. 6 (BYU 30, SDSU 7).
SDSU limited Colorado State to just 196 yards of total offense, the second straight game in which the Aztecs have kept their opponent to under 300 yards. The 196 yards by CSU is the fewest allowed by SDSU since the UNLV game a year ago, when the Rebels had just 175 yards. With a 366-196 advantage in total offense tonight, SDSU has outgained its opponent by more than 90 yards three times this year. Tonight is the seventh straight MWC game in which the Aztecs have owned an advantage in total offense.
The Aztecs converted their first two-point conversion opportunity of the year on a pass from Kevin O'Connell to Robert Ortiz in the fourth quarter. SDSU was 0-for-2 on two-point tries in 2003 and was 1-for-1 in 2002, when Lon Sherriff connected with J.R. Tolver on Nov. 15, also against Colorado State.
With his 14 tackles tonight, SDSU linebacker Kirk Morrison recorded double-figure tackles for the fourth straight game and the 15th time in his career. He now has 343 career tackles to remain in third place in Aztec history, but is just 12 behind Rico Curtis (355) for the second-place slot. Whip Walton owns the SDSU career record for most tackles with 407.
Morrison also had two tackles for loss today, moving from eighth to seventh in career tackles for loss with 39, passing Mike Hooper (37.5).
Aztec Jeff Webb has caught at least one pass in each of his last 16 games and has at least three catches in each of his last 11 outings. Webb went over 100 yards receiving tonight (7 catches, 129 yards) for the third time this season and the fifth time in his career. With his 58-yard touchdown catch tonight, Webb has three career touchdown grabs of 58 yards or greater.
SDSU's Garrett Palmer connected on a pair of 48-yard field goals in the first half, marking the second straight season in which an Aztec kicker has converted on two, 45+-yard field goals in one game. J.C. Mejia made 47 and 46-yard field goals at Ohio State in 2003. For the season, Palmer has hit three field goals from over 45 yards and four from over 40 yards out.
Brandon Bornes' 40-yard kick-off return with 44 seconds left in the first quarter is the Aztecs' longest of the season, beating the previous high of 26 yards also by Bornes. The kick-off return is SDSU's longest since 2001, when Donte Gamble returned one 61 yards.
SDSU red-shirt freshman quarterback Kevin O'Connell had a 39-yard run in the third quarter. The run was the longest by an Aztec quarterback since Brian Russell ran one for 43 yards in the Aztecs' 41-12 win over South Florida on Sept. 4, 1999.
In 2004, SDSU opponents have started with the ball in Aztec territory 13 times, but have managed to score on only four occassions, recording only two touchdowns and two field goals. Since the beginning of the 2003 season, SDSU opponents have started in Aztec territory 34 times and come away with points just 15 times, including a meager six touchdowns.
SDSU opponent's 13 turnovers have led to 41 SDSU points, including 5 touchdowns and 2 field goals.
SDSU had a season high 15 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Other Aztec Notes - Sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Bailes tallied his first career sack in the first half ... Sophomore safety Reggie Grisby logged his first career interception in the fourth quarter ... With Garrett Palmer's first-quarter field goal, SDSU has led during some point in each of its six games this season.