Oct. 10, 2013
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USAFA, Colo. -
San Diego State-Air Force Postgame Notes
The Big Notes
- SDSU rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to win for just the second time in program history and first time since rallying from a 17-point deficit at Air Force on Sept. 18, 1993 (won 38-31). San Diego State is now 2-151-1 in program history when down 14 or more points in the fourth quarter.
- The Aztecs rallied from a 14-point second half deficit to win for the first time since beating Colorado State, 42-28, on Oct. 24, 2009. SDSU is now just 6-159-3 all-time when owning a second-half deficit of 14 or more points.
- San Diego State won its ninth consecutive conference game (started Oct. 6, 2012 vs. Hawai'i). It is tied with Florida State for the sixth-longest active streak nationally and is the program's longest since a nine-game win streak from 1973-75 when they were in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA).
- The Aztecs improved their winning streak in the Mountain time zone to eight games. According to STATS, Inc., it is the longest active win streak in the MTZ in the nation (min. three games played in time zone in the last 17 years).
- Of the 13 FBS teams in the country that opened this season 0-3, SDSU is the only one that improved to 3-3 after six games. (Note: no other team that has yet to play its sixth game can get to 3-3).
- San Diego State won its seventh consecutive game against a military academy (all over the past 40 games). The seven-game win streak against military academies is now the longest streak in the country (Rutgers is second at 6). Over the streak, the Aztecs beat Air Force four times (2010-13), Army twice (2011-12) and Navy (2010 Poinsettia Bowl).
- SDSU is 2-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since 2002, only the second time in the MW era and the 12th time in the school's Division I history.
- Of the 45 schools that opened 0-3 since 2010 (includes this season), San Diego State joins the 2012 Houston team as the only teams to improve to 3-3 after six contests.
- The Aztecs, who are the only team in the nation this season to play consecutive games on less than seven days rest, has won three games in the past 13 days - 26-16 at New Mexico State (Sat., Sept. 28), 51-44 vs. Nevada (Oct. 4) and 27-20 at Air Force (Oct. 10).
- For the first time in school history, SDSU has won four consecutive games against Air Force. Rocky Long was the defensive coordinator for the first victory and is 3-0 as the Aztecs' head coach/defensive coordinator vs. The Academy. San Diego State and TCU are the only teams in the nation with active four-game win streaks against Air Force.
- The Aztecs scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, their most since scoring 21 vs. Boise State on Nov. 19, 2011.
Team Notes
- San Diego State recorded its third consecutive 200-yard rushing game. It is the first time the Aztecs have done that since Oct. 13-Nov. 5, 2011. SDSU has won six straight games when rushing for at least 200 yards.
Trends
- The Aztecs have received the ball first in 21 straight games, the longest streak in the nation. East Carolina is second at 16 and Clemson is third at 15.
- SDSU has now gone 83 games without suffering a shutout (Nov. 18, 2006, at TCU). That is the only time San Diego State has been shut out in its last 178 games.
- The Aztecs have now forced a 3 and out (or less) in the opposing team's opening drive in two straight games.
- SDSU held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season and first time in a road game since Oct. 30, 2010 at Wyoming.
- San Diego State improved to 12-3 in the Rocky Long era when leading after the first quarter.
- The Aztecs had held their opponent scoreless on the opening drive of the second half 10 straight games prior to tonight, when Air Force hit a 52-yard field goal.
Series Notes
San Diego State has now won a school-record four consecutive games against Air Force
- Air Force leads the all-time series, 19-13.
- The Aztecs win for just the sixth time in 17 all-time visits to Colorado Springs.
- San Diego State has been victorious on four of its last seven visits to Falcon Stadium (4-3).
- Of the Falcon's last 25 home losses, four have come to San Diego State.
- Since the beginning of the 2002 season, only three visiting teams have won four times at Falcon Stadium - San Diego State, Navy and Utah.
13 Days, Three Wins
- As previously noted, San Diego State is the only team in the nation this season to play consecutive games on less than a oneweek turnaround.
- Since 1980, only 15 teams (including San Diego State this season) have played consecutive games less than seven days apart.
- Of those 15 teams - only four posted a perfect 3-0 record - 2013 San Diego State, 2011 Ohio, 2007 Boise State and 2003 Miami (Ohio)
Coach Rocky Long Notes
- Rocky Long improved to 20-12 at San Diego State.
- Rocky Long extended his MW lead with his 82nd victory in league history.
- Rocky Long improved to 8-6 all-time vs. Air Force.
Temperature Notes
- Tonight's temperature of 49 degrees is the coldest for an Aztec football game since Nov. 29, 2009 at Utah (40 degrees).
- Tonight's temperature of 49 degrees is the 10th-coldest game SDSU has won in the Division I era.
- The Aztecs improved to 12-19 all-time when the temperature was below 50 degrees.
Player Notes
* Quinn Kaehler, Jr., QB (15-for-26, 249 yds., 3 TD, 1 INT)
- Threw for 249 yards, his fifth straight game with at least 200 yards passing.
- Tied a career high with three touchdown passes.
- Had his streak of 77 passes without an interception snapped in the second quarter.
* Adam Muema, Jr., RB (18 att., 86 yds.)
- Became the 12th Aztec in school history with 2,000 career rushing yards.
* Donnel Pumphrey, T-Fr., RB (17 att., 117 yds., 1 TD | 2 rec., 43 yds., 1 TD) - Posted his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game, with 17 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first Aztec freshman with 100 or more yards in three straight games since Marshall Faulk in1991.
- He became the first Aztec with three straight 100-yard rushing games since Ronnie Hillman in 2011.
- Scored his fifth career rushing touchdown and second career receiving touchdown.
- Also tied a career long with a 23-yard reception.
* Eric Judge, RS-Fr., WR (1 rec., 44 yds., 1 TD | 1 KR, 35 yds.)
- Caught a 44-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, the third of his career and third in two games.
- Also had a career-long 35-yard kick return, which tied Colin Lockett for the longest by an Aztec this year.
* Ezell Ruffin, Jr., WR (6 rec., 108 yds., 1 TD)
- Recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and third of his career.
- Had his first career touchdown, a 62-yard pass from Quinn Kaehler in the fourth quarter.
- Had four or more catches for the third consecutive game and fifth time in six contests this year.
- Had a catch for the seventh straight game, dating back to last season.
* Nat Berhe, Sr., DB (14 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 PBU)
- Had a season-high 14 tackles, one off his career high.
- That was his team-high fifth career game with 10 or more tackles.
* Josh Gavert, Jr., LB (10 tackles)
- Had a career-high 10 tackles in his third career start.
* Joel Alesi, Jr., P (2 punts, 102 yds., 51.0 avg, 1 I20)
- Averaged a career-high 51.00 yards per punt
- Had a season-long 56-yard punt, which also tied a career high.
Other Notes
- Nat Berhe started for the 34th time, the most of any current Aztec.
- Nat Berhe also started for the 31st consecutive game, which leads all Aztecs.
- Colin Lockett recorded his 100th career reception in the first quarter.
- Nick Tenhaeff forced his first fumble of the season and third of his career.
- J.J. Whittaker forced his first career fumble.
- Cody Galea picked up his first career fumble recovery.
- Alex Barrett had his first career sack.