Oct. 16, 2010
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SDSU Postgame Notes vs. #23 Air Force in PDF Format
SDSU Football Game Notes vs. #23/23 Air Force
Qualcomm Stadium - San Diego, Calif.
TOP NOTES
- San Diego State improves to 4-2 this season. It is the best record after six games for the Aztecs in 16 seasons (since the 1996 squad opened 4-2 and it matches the best six game start since the 1977 (33 seasons) campaign.
- San Diego State snaps a 25-game losing streak against teams ranked in the top 25 at game time. Prior to the victory over No. 23/23 Air Force, San Diego State's last win over a nationally-ranked team came against No. 16/15 Wyoming on Nov. 7, 1996 (28-24). This marks San Diego State's first win over a nationally-ranked opponent in 5,091 days.
- San Diego State snaps a 26-game losing streak to teams either ranked or receiving votes in one of the two major top 25 polls, dating back to a 38-34 win at Air Force on Nov. 23, 2002. Air Force was receiving votes in both polls at the time of the 2002 contest.
- San Diego State snaps a three-game losing streak against Air Force, claiming its first victory over the Academy since Oct. 21, 2006 (19-12). SDSU is now 10-19 all-time vs. the Falcons.
- San Diego State improves to 3-0 at home this season, marking the first time the Aztecs have won their first three home games of a season since 1996. That season, the Aztecs posted a perfect 6-0 home record.
- San Diego State now has as many victories this season (4) as it did all of last season, when the Aztecs finished 4-8. Despite the fact that we have just reached the midway point of the season, San Diego State's win total in 2010 has matched or surpass the total number victories in each of the last four seasons (2006 (3), 2007 (4), 2008 (2) and 2009 (4)).
- San Diego State is 8-10 in 18 games under Brady Hoke. The eight wins is equal to the total number of victories the Aztecs had in the 30 games prior to his arrival when SDSU went 8-22 ... San Diego State is 4-0 this season and 7-2 under Brady Hoke when ahead at the half ... SDSU improves to 4-0 this season when leading after three quarters.
- Today's victory snaps a seven-game losing streak for San Diego State in Homecoming games. Prior to today, the last time the Aztecs won a Homecoming contest was Oct. 26, 2002, when SDSU defeated UNLV, 31-21.
- This is the first time San Diego State has held Air Force scoreless in the first quarter of a game since the 2006 meeting (last SDSU win in the series). SDSU is 4-1 in the last five meetings in which they have held Air Force scoreless through the first quarter ... This is the third time this season that the Aztecs have held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter. San Diego State has won five straight games when holding the opponent scoreless in the first quarter.
- San Diego State had held Air Force without a point on seven consecutive possessions dating back to last season, before the field goal at the 3:52 mark of the second quarter ... SDSU had held the Falcons without an offensive touchdown for 21 straight offensive possesions dating back to 2008, before surrending the TD at the end of the third quarter.
-With a 10-6 advantage, SDSU owned a halftime lead over a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time since Oct. 29, 2005, when it had a 13-7 advantage over 20th-ranked TCU. The Aztecs lost that game, 23-20 ... The Aztecs' 11-point lead at 17-6 tonight is its largest vs. a top-25 team since beating No. 23 Hawaii by 24 points, 52-28, on Nov. 14, 1992 ... The 11-point lead at 17-6 is San Diego State's largest lead over Air Force since Nov. 13, 2004, when the Aztecs led by 13 points en route to a 37-31 victory.
- SDSU rushed for over 200 yards in a game for the fourth time this season ... The Aztecs eclipsed the 400-yard mark in total offense for the fifth time in 2010.
- On Ronnie Hillman's TD run in the second quarter, SDSU has now scored a touchdown in 44 straight games.
PLAYER NOTES
- Ryan Lindley, Junior QB: Has thrown seven touchdown passes in the last three games... Made his 29th career start, taking sole possession of third place in SDSU history ... Has started 24 straight outings, the second-longest streak by a QB in Aztec history ... His 18 yards rushing rank No. 2 in his career and are his most since having 25 against Idaho in 2008.
- Ronnie Hillman, Freshman RB: Posted his third 100-yard rushing game this season and third for 150 yards or more ... Already tied for 23rd in Aztec career history for most 100-yard rushing efforts ... Recorded his third rush this season of 65 or more yards on the second quarter TD ... Has at least one rushing score in five of six outings in 2010 (10 total) and two or more rushing TDs in one game three times ... Already has the most rushing yards in a season by an Aztec since Lynell Hamilton in 2005 (819) ... Has the second-most rushing yards by an Aztec freshman in his first six games, surpassing Lynell Hamilton (670 yards, 2004) and trailing Marshall Faulk (983 yards, 1991) ... Is already fourth in rushing yards in a season by a freshman in SDSU history.
- Gavin Escobar, Redshirt Freshman, TE: Has a TD reception in two straight contests and three overall this season.
- Brian Stahovich, Junior P: Has 11 kicks for more than 50 yards this season, including one today, and has 36 career, 50+-yard kicks in his career ... Three of his four punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
- Abel Perez, Junior PK: Posted two field goals in a game for the fourth time this season.
- Darryn Lewis, Senior DB: Recorded his second career interception and second pick of the season in the first quarter ... Both of his career INTs have come against ranked teams with the other being at No. 25 Missouri.
- DeMarco Sampson, WR: Logged his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and third of his career ... Both efforts this season have come at Qualcomm Stadium (179 yards vs. Nicholls) ... Aztec wideouts have combined for four, 100-yard receiving games in six outings in 2010.
OTHER NOTES
- Two Aztecs started their first career game this evening and two others were in the starting line-up for the first time this season. Aztec redshirt freshman linebacker Nick Tenhaeff became the fourth freshman to log a start for SDSU in 2010, joining tight end Bryce Quigley, running back Ronnie Hillman and tight end Gavin Escobar.
In addition, sophomore Khalid Stevens made his first career start at the Aztec position, becoming the seventh player to start this first career game in 2010 - Tenhaeff, Quigley, Hillman, Escobar, running back Davon Brown and defensive back Darryn Lewis.
Making their first starts of the season were senior defensive end Jacob Taunanuu (11th career start overall) and fullback Brandon Sullivan (14th overall).
- SDSU redshirt freshman linebacker Vaness Harris made his collegiate debut as a reserve in the first half.