Nov. 26, 2011
Recap | Stats | Notes | Quotes | SDSU Gallery | Highlights | Long Postgame
Lindley Postgame | Gibbs Postgame | Hillman Postgame
SDSU Football Postgame Notes at UNLV
TOP NOTES
- San Diego State wins its seventh game of the year, which guarantees the team back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1995 (8-4) and 1996 (8-3) campaigns.
- At 7-4, the Aztecs have matched their 11-game record from last season and have matched their best record since the 1996 squad was 8-3 after 11 contests. The 7-4 record this season matches the best 11-game record in the last 15 years.
- SDSU overcame a 14-point deficit (14-0) in the victory, its largest deficit overcome in a game (and overcome in a victory) since Oct. 24, 2009, at Colorado State (SDSU won, 42-28), when the Aztecs also trailed by 14.
THE SERIES
- SDSU defeats UNLV for the second consecutive season and the fifth time in the last six seasons.
- San Diego State owns a 13-8 advantage in the series, including a 5-5 record at UNLV.
ROAD SUCCESS
- The Aztecs have won six consecutive road games against teams that were unranked at game time (dating back to a 24-21 loss at Brigham Young, Oct. 9, 2010).
- SDSU wins its fourth road game of the season. That is the school's best record away from home in a single campaign since the 1986 team also went 4-1.
- In less than one season, Rocky Long has as many road wins (4) as Brady Hoke (4-8, two years) and more than Chuck Long (2-16, three years) in their entire tenures.
ROCKY LONG PRODUCING MEMORABLE FIRST YEAR
- Rocky Long improves to 7-4 in his first year as head coach at San Diego State. Those are the most victories in an Aztec head coaching debut season since Denny Stolz finished 8-4 in his first year in 1986.
- With seven first-year wins, Rocky Long has as many coaching victories in his inaugural season as the previous two SDSU coaches combined (Brady Hoke went 4-8 in 2009 and Chuck Long was 3-9 in 2006).
- This is the third time in his career that a Rocky Long led team has won at least four road games in a season.
- This is the fifth time in Rocky Long's head coaching career that his team has won at least seven games. His squads have won six or more games in eight of his last nine seasons as a head coach.
WINNING SEASON
- As previously noted, San Diego State clinches its second consecutive winning season for the first time since 1995 and 1996 seasons.
- This is the Aztecs' second winning season in their last 13 campaigns (beginning with the 1999 season).
PLAYER NOTES
Ronnie Hillman, So., RB
- Scored on a 44-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter, his first touchdown in three games (since New Mexico)... Had his 14th career 100-yard rushing game (in 24 career games) and eighth of the season... The 14 career 100-yard rushing games are tied with George Jones (1995-95) for the second most in SDSU history... The eight 100-yard rushing games this season are tied for the second most in a year in school history with Marshall Faulk (1991 and 1992)... Broke 150 yards for the 11th time of his career, which only trails Faulk's 16 on the school all-time list... Scored two touchdowns on the ground, his 10th career game with at least two rushing scores... His 34 career touchdowns (32 rushing, 2 receiving) are tied with Jones and Paul Hewitt (1987-88) for second all-time at San Diego State... Also caught two passes, his 12th career game with at least two receptions and ninth time of the season.
Ryan Lindley, Sr., QB
- Senior quarterback Ryan Lindley broke the SDSU career record for most completions, passing Todd Santos' 910... He threw a touchdown pass for the 20th time in the last 21 games... He had two touchdown passes in the game, his 26th career game with at least two touchdown passes.
Gavin Escobar, So. TE
- Sophomore tight end Gavin Escobar had four catches for a game-high 68 yards... Over the last two games, he has 12 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Colin Lockett, So., WR
- Sophomore wide receiver Colin Lockett had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, his first since the Air Force (Oct. 13) game... He has at least three catches in all 11 games this season.
Larry Gibbs, Sr., DL
- Senior Larry Gibbs had a career high six tackles in the first half... Finished the game with seven tackles and a career-high two sacks.
Miles Burris, Sr., LB
- Senior Miles Burris logged at least a half tackle for loss for the 17th time in the last 18 outings... He moved into a tie for third on the school's all-time list in tackles for a loss (44.5) with Aztec hall-of-famer La'Roi Glover (1992-95).
OTHER NOTES
- San Diego State did not start with the ball on the opening kickoff for just the second time in 11 games this season.
- Sophomore wide receiver Dylan Denso caught his third touchdown of the season and first since the opener against Cal Poly.
- Sophomore defensive back Eric Pinkins earned his first career start at one of the warrior positions.
- Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Cody Galea had his first career sack.
- Redshirt freshman linebacker Josh Gavert had his first career sack.
- Sophomore defensive back Marcus Andrews had his first career interception and first career tackle for a loss.
TEAM NOTES
- The Aztec defense has allowed opposing offenses to score no more than one touchdown in the second half of all 11 contests in 2011 ... Air Force, TCU and Boise State scored only 10 points, the most SDSU allowed in the second half of a game this season (1 TD, 1 FG each) ... Of the 265 points allowed this year by the defense, only 65 have been scored after the break (also 7 vs. Cal Poly, 6 at Army, 7 vs. Washington State, 7 at Michigan, 10 vs. TCU, 10 at Air Force, 0 vs. Wyoming, 0 vs. New Mexico, 8 at CSU, 10 vs. Boise State, 0 vs. UNLV).
- With one interception tonight, SDSU now has 13 this season, the most by the Aztecs since it had 16 in 2006.
- SDSU has gone eight consecutive third quarters without allowing a touchdown. Over that span, San Diego State has allowed a total of nine points.
- The Aztecs improved to 6-0 this season and 15-1 over the past two seasons when leading after the third quarter.
- San Diego State converted 11 of its 18 third-down opportunities, its highest percentage (61.1) this season and tied for its most conversions.
- The Aztecs have scored at least 24 points in the second half in three games this season.