Nov. 8, 2004
SAN DIEGO -
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The Game
The San Diego State Aztecs, now 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the Mountain West Conference, will try to get their first league win Saturday when they travel to Colorado Springs to face the Air Force Academy. The game is set for a 1:05 kickoff and will be televised by ESPN+Plus. Air Force is 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the MWC. The Falcons are coming off a 31-22 win at Army.
ESPN+Plus
The San Diego State-Air Force game will be televised on a regional basis by ESPN Regional (ESPN+Plus). It will mark the Aztecs' second straight appearance on the regional network and the third of the season. ESPN Regional's local affiliate is Channel 4 San Diego.
The Doldrums
The Aztecs head to Colorado Springs anxious for a victory. San Diego State has lost six straight games for the first time since the 1988 season. The Aztecs have lost five straight conference games for the first time since 2001 when they won their league opener over Colorado State and then lost five straight league tilts before closing the season with a victory over Wyoming.
Conference Stops And Starts
For the first time as a Division I program, San Diego State has opened league play with five straight losses. In 1960, while still in the small-college ranks, San Diego State went 0-5 in California Collegiate Athletic Assocation play.
Aztecs and Falcons
The Air Force Academy owns a 15-7 series advantage over the Aztecs. However, San Diego State is riding its first winning streak of the series with wins in each of the last two seasons. Prior to 2002, the Aztecs had never defeated the Academy in consecutive seasons.
Tight Games
In the 22-game history of the Aztecs-Falcons football series, 10 games have been decided by seven points or less. Eight of the last 11 meetings have been decided by seven points or less, including the 1997 overtime game. Over the last 12 games, the cumulative point total is San Diego State 303, Air Force 293.
Last Year In San Diego
San Diego State played one of its most complete games of the season in a 24-3 victory over Air Force. The game was tied at 3-3 at the half when Air Force hit a 40-yard field goal on the last play before intermission. But SDSU took over on its first possession of the third quarter with an 80-yard scoring drive on 11 plays, capped by a trick play when Hubert Caliste found Devin Pitts for a touchdown pass. SDSU also got a 17-yard touchdown run from Michael Franklin and the game was capped off with Marviel Underwood's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final minutes.
Franklin's Mint
In last year's game against the Falcons, the Aztec ground game was led by Michael Franklin. Subbing for the injured Lynell Hamilton, Franklin ran for 122 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries against Air Force. It was the second of two straight 100-yard games for Franklin to close the 2003 season.
Turnover Free
The victory over Air Force last season represents the last time the Aztecs played a game without a turnover. The Aztecs did not fumble and Matt Dlugolecki was 23-of-31 through the air for 226 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.