Sept. 23, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery
SAN DIEGO - Tonight's attendance of 53,794 is the fifth largest in San Diego State history. It is the fourth biggest in Aztec regular season history, excluding the 1986 Holiday Bowl crowd of 59,473, which ranks first in SDSU history.
With the loss, SDSU fell to 12-13-1 all-time against the Utes and dropped to 7-6-1 in games played in San Diego.
With his 53 yards on 16 carries, SDSU junior running back Lynell Hamilton became the 10th player in Aztec history to record 2,000 career yards rushing. Hamilton entered the game with 1,965 yards and now has 2,018 yards.
SDSU defensive back Terrell Maze recorded his fourth career interception and his first of the season in the fourth quarter. SDSU has at least one INT in 12 of its last 13 contests. Dating back to last season, SDSU has 12 interceptions in its last six outings. Nine of the 12 picks have come in the fourth quarter.
Redshirt freshman running back Atiyyah Henderson recorded career highs in carries (12) and rushing yards (98). He also logged a career long of 40 yards in the fourth quarter.
With its successful conversion on a Brandon Bornes run in the first quarter, SDSU recorded its fourth straight fourth-down play to open the season. The Aztecs streak came to an end on the final play of the first half and the team also was 0-for-1 in that category in the fourth quarter, leaving the Aztecs 4-for-6 in 2006. A year ago, the Aztecs were 10-for-17 on fourth-down plays, meaning SDSU has converted 14 of its last 23 fourth-down attempts (61 percent). SDSU opponents are 0-for-3 in that category this season and were 11-for-20 in that category a year ago.
Aztec QB Darren Mougey connected with Brett Swain on an 18-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter ... It was SDSU's first passing TD of 2006 ... It was the second career score for both Swain (receiving) and Mougey (passing) ... SDSU has put points on the board in two of its three game-opening drives this season.
The Aztecs' first-quarter scoring drive of 15 plays for 74 yards over 7:33 is the team's longest this season in terms of number of plays and time of possession. The drive time of 7:33 is the longest SDSU scoring drive since 2001, when the Aztecs had an 11-play, 43-yard drive covering 7:44 against New Mexico in the third quarter of a 20-15 loss in San Diego.
SDSU senior offensive lineman Nick Smith made his first career start as an Aztec tonight ... Junior running back Brandon Bornes made his first start of the season and the ninth of his career.
Other Aztec notes: Junior defensive end Nick Osborn recovered his second career fumble in the third quarter ... Safety Brett Sturm recorded his first career tackle for loss and matched a career best with eight tackles ... Redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Craft made his Aztec debut in the fourth quarter ... SDSU has over 200 yards rushing in each of its last two MWC games (also vs. Wyoming in 2005 - 214 yards).