Oct. 19, 2010
SDSU Football Game Notes at New Mexico in PDF Format
After improving to 4-2 for the first time since 1996, and snapping a 25-game losing streak against top 25 teams, San Diego State (4-2; 1-1 MWC) makes its second trip this season to the Land of Enchantment, this time to face New Mexico (0-6; 0-2 MWC) on Saturday night.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. MT (7 p.m. PT) and the contest will be televised in high definition by The Mtn. The game can also be seen in high definition in the San Diego market on Channel 4 San Diego. The contest can be heard throughout Southern California on AM 600 KOGO.
San Diego State claimed only its sixth victory ever over a top 25 foe on Saturday, defeating No. 23/23 Air Force, 27-25, at Qualcomm Stadium. It marked the first win over a top-25 opponent since Nov. 7, 1996 (a span of 5,091 days). The Aztecs never trailed in the contest, the first time that has happened against a ranked opponent since 1988.
True freshman running back Ronnie Hillman posted his third 100-yard rushing day of his career and picked up his third league offensive player-of-the-week honor with 191 yards on 24 carries. He had rushing touchdowns of 65 and 44 yards in the contest. Senior wide receiver DeMarco Sampson also recorded his third career 100-yard receiving effort, and second this year, with 106 yards on just four catches.
The Aztec defense held the nation's No. 1 rushing offense in check, allowing 312 yards on 62 carries. The Falcons had just three rushes of more than 15 yards in the game and had two rushing touchdowns. At one point, the Aztec defense held Air Force without a touchdown on 20 consecutive offensive possessions, dating back to the 2008 contest. Senior Aztec back Andrew Preston had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, for SDSU.
The win enabled SDSU to match its best start to a campaign in the last 33 seasons and the Aztecs own their best record since posting a similar six-game record in 1996. San Diego State continues to be one of the more dominant teams in the country, ranking eighth in pass efficiency defense, 16th in total offense, 19th in scoring defense, 23rd in passing offense and 29th in scoring offense.
The Aztecs are hoping their second trip to the state of New Mexico goes as well as the first. SDSU defeated New Mexico State, 41-21, in Las Cruces on Sept. 11.
Saturday marks the 37th meeting between the teams, with San Diego State owning a 21-15 series lead. Last season, the Aztecs snapped an eight-game drought in the series with a 23-20 win at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs are 10-7 all-time against the Lobos in Albuquerque, but have dropped four straight at University Stadium, being outscored, 145-38, during that stretch.
The Aztecs are looking to defeat New Mexico in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996, and will try and defeat the Lobos and Air Force in the same season for the first time since 1996.
GAME INFORMATION
San Diego State (4-2; 1-1 Mountain West)
at New Mexico (0-6; 0-2 Mountain West)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010
Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (announced)/8:06 p.m. MT (kickoff)
Location: Albuquerque, N.M. | Stadium: University Stadium
Capacity: 39,224
Series: San Diego State leads, 21-15
Television: The Mtn. Tim Neverett (play-by-play), Jay Leeuwenburg (analyst), Randy Gatewood (sidelines), Gavin Bodell (producer)
Radio: AM 600 KOGO. Ted Leitner (play-by-play) and Chris Ello (analyst)
Internet: Live stats and radio broadcast available at GoAztecs.com.