Sept. 1, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery
SAN DIEGO -
With the loss, SDSU dropped to 18-4 overall against UTEP and lost for the first time in the last eight outings ... SDSU fell to 9-2 all-time against the Miners in San Diego ... Aztec head coaches are 9-4-3 in their debuts ...SDSU is 2-2 in their last four season-openers.
Tonight's attendance of 34,723 is the Aztecs' most for a non-Saturday home game, since Nov. 11, 1993, when SDSU had 40,137 fans for its meeting with BYU.
SDSU held UTEP to just 38 yards rushing, the fewest by an Aztec opponent since UNLV had 31 in Las Vegas in 2003.
SDSU's Donny Baker recorded his fourth and fifth career interceptions tonight. Baker is the first Aztec to have two or more interceptions in the same game since Marviel Underwood had two picks against Nevada on Sept. 25, 2003. Safeties Ray Bass (first career INT) and T.J. McKay (2nd career) also added interceptions, giving the Aztecs four for the game. SDSU's four INTs are its most in a single contest since also having four against Colorado State in 2002.
Sophomore signalcaller Darren Mougey, playing in his seventh career contest, scored his first two career rushing touchdowns in the second half. Mougey set career bests for completions (12), attempts (16), passing yards (178) and rushing attempts (13). His 36-yard pass to Lynell Hamilton was a career long.
Lynell Hamilton's 36-yard reception is the longest of his career, surpassing his 27-yard against BYU in 2003. His six receptions for 64 yards are both career bests.
Cornerback Donny Baker had two PBUs against UTEP, giving him 27 for his career. He moved from ninth to seventh in Aztec career history.
SDSU quarterback Kevin O'Connell completed his first 12 pass attempts on the night for 97 yards, before UTEP's third quarter interception by Quintin Demps. Ten of the 12 pass completions came in the first half.
With his 40 yards tonight, Aztec running back Lynell Hamilton moved into the SDSU career top 10 in rushing yards with 1,946. Hamilton entered the night with 1,906 yards, and passed Hall of Famer Kern Carson (1,911) for 10th place.
Junior place-kicker Garrett Palmer's 46-yard field goal to open the game was his ninth straight make dating back to last season. He had made four straight from 40 yards or more and improved to 10-for-16 in that category, before missing a 52 and 47-yarder later in the half. He is now 10-for-18 on career field-goal attempts of 40 or more yards.
Freshman Matthew Kawulok recorded his first career reception to end the quarter ... Senior wideout Brian Spinks recorded his first career catches tonight including his first, an 11-yarder, in the second quarter ... Redshirt freshman Mekell Wesley had his first career receptions in the second half ... Redshirt freshman Atiyyah Henderson and sophomore Tyler Campbell both had their first career carries ... Junior wideout Brett Swain had a career-high five receptions.
SDSU first career starts - tight end Matthew Kawulok, defensive tackle Ornan Nwansi, sophomore offensive lineman Mike Schmidt and wide receiver Brian Spinks ... 13 Aztecs played in their first career games tonight.