Nov. 21, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
Victory notes: With the win, SDSU has claimed victories in back-to-back games for the first time this season ... the Aztecs have defeated UNLV three straight times for the first time in series history ... SDSU improves to 8-6 all-time versus UNLV ... the Aztecs won despite being outgained in a game for the second straight week.
SDSU has not allowed a touchdown in each of its last two outings against UNLV. The Aztecs won 7-0 a year ago in Las Vegas. The last time the Rebels scored a TD against the Aztecs was in 2002, on a 15-yard run with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
With tonight's 25,519 fans, SDSU finishes the year with an average home attendance of 35,995 in five games. SDSU has not averaged more than 30,000 fans since 1995, when the Aztecs averaged 30,769. This season's average is the highest since 1993 (38,477). A year ago, SDSU's average attendance was 22,626.
With his five catches for 32 yards, Aztec split end Jeff Webb has caught at least one pass in each of his last 21 games and has at least three catches in each of his last 16 outings. Webb had at least five receptions in nine of the team's 11 games this season.
SDSU junior slot receiver Robert Ortiz has also caught at least one pass in each of his last 16 games, dating back to the 2003 contest at Utah (Oct. 11). Ortiz has made three grabs or more in 13 straight games, including all 11 in 2004.
The SDSU defense returned a fumble for a touchdown in its second consecutive home game. Tonight, linebacker Stephen Larsen forced a fumble, which was picked up by defensive end Antwan Applewhite, who ran it back 36 yards for the score. Three weeks ago, defensive tackle Blake Lobel returned a fumble 19 yards for the score in the second quarter versus Utah on Oct. 30.
Defensive tackle Blake Lobel tallied his first career interception in the second quarter versus UNLV, returning it 14 yards for his second career touchdown. It was the second straight home game in which Lobel had returned an opponent turnover for a score (see above note). Lobel's INT return for a touchdown is SDSU's first since last year's season finale against Air Force, when safety Marivel Underwood ran one back 74 yards. Lobel becomes the ninth Aztec to tally at least one interception this season, giving SDSU 14 total picks in 2004. The 14 INTs ties (also 2002) as the team's most since 1995, when the Aztecs had 26.
The last time SDSU scored two defensive touchdowns in one game was Oct. 4, 2003, versus BYU. Brook Miller returned a fumble 44 yards for a score and Aloalii Lealofi also returned a fumble 24 yards for a TD against the Cougars.
The Aztecs finished the year by forcing 10 turnovers in their final two contests, including six at Air Force last week and four tonight against UNLV.
Aztec opponents started 23 drives on SDSU's side of the field in 2004 and scored a total of just 47 points off the strong field position (5 TDs, 4 FG). UNLV did so three times tonight, but came up with only a field goal.
SDSU limited the Mountain West Conference's leading rusher, UNLV's Dominique Dorsey to just 46 yards on 20 carries. Dorsey had averaged 121.5 rushing yards per game (12th nationally entering this week) and 117.8 yards in conference contests.
Tonight's contest marked the final outing for SDSU All-American linebacker Kirk Morrison. Morrison had 10 tackles against UNLV, his eighth game this season in double-figure tackles. Morrison finished his career with 10 tackles or more in 20 games. Morrison's 72 unassisted tackles in 2004, rank seventh in SDSU season history and are two more than his previous career best of 70 in 2003. Morrison also had three fumble recoveries this season, tied for sixth in the Aztec record books. In the career record books, Morrison finished second all-time in tackles with 396, trailing only Whip Walton, who had 407 from 1974-77. Morrison also is sixth all-time in career tackles for loss with 40.
Other Aztec notes: Senior cornerback Hubert Caliste caused his first career fumble and recovered his third career fumble (2nd in 2004) in the third quarter ... running back Fale Poumele became the 17th different Aztec to record at least one reception this season. Poumele's catch was the fourth of his career ... linebacker Kirk Morrison also played on the offensive side of the ball, rushing for five yards on two carries. Morrison also logged one career carry a year ago for no yards ... cornerback Donnie Baker finished with 13 pass break-ups in 2004, tying for eighth in the Aztec season record book.