Oct. 23, 2015
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SAN DIEGO -
Utah State-San Diego State Postgame Notes
Big Notes
- San Diego State improved to 4-0 in Mountain West play, the school's first 4-0 league start in the 17-year history of the Mountain West and first since 1993 WAC campaign.
- The Aztecs are 4-0 in league play for the fourth time in 48 seasons at the Division I level (1972, 1974, 1993 and 2015).
- Through four games in MW play. San Diego State is outscoring its opponents, 127-42.
- SDSU won its 14th straight home game against unranked conference opponents. That is the third-longest active streak in the country among teams currently in a league (Clemson 23 and Alabama 15).
- San Diego State won its eighth consecutive conference home game dating back to Oct. 26, 2013. It is the longest streak since a nine-game streak from 1972-75.
- The Aztecs won their sixth straight league game dating back to last season and are now 22-5 over their last 27 MW games.
- SDSU won its fourth consecutive game, its longest win streak since a four-game win streak from Nov. 2-23, 2013.
- San Diego State snapped Utah State's three-game winning streak. It marks the first win for the Aztecs over a team that entered the game having won at least three straight games since Nov. 9, 2013 at San Jose State.
- Under head coach Rocky Long, SDSU improved to 5-1 when having less than seven days of preparation for a game.
- San Diego State improved to 6-1 against the Mountain Division of the Mountain West since the inception of the two division format (the rest of the West Division is 12-24 vs. the Mountain Division).
- The Aztecs are one of three teams in the country that have won four games this month (Appalachian State and Temple).
- SDSU snapped the following Utah State win streaks: seven games against unranked conference opponents and five games against non-Power 5 schools.
- San Diego State won its 17th straight game when rushing for at least 200 yards and is now 25-2 in the Rocky Long era when reaching 200-plus yards.
- SDSU broke 200 yards rushing for the fourth straight game for the first time since Oct. 14-Nov. 4, 1995.
- San Diego State rushed for 336 yards, the most allowed by Utah State since Oct. 30, 2010 and the ninth-most since 1996.
- The Aztecs had 17-plus points in both the first and second quarter for the first time in their Division I history (since 1969).
- SDSU scored its most points in a game (48) since scoring 49 in the 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
- The Aztecs held their 11th straight conference opponent below 400 yards of total offense. With 239 tonight by Utah State, opponents have a total of just 2,866 yards (260.5 avg.) over that 11-game span. That is the longest active streak (conference games only) in FBS this year (LSU has 10 and hosts Western Kentucky on Saturday).
- SDSU did not throw an interception for the sixth straight game, extending the program's longest streak in its Division I history (since 1969).
Team Notes
- San Diego State snapped Utah State's three-game winning streak. It marks the first win for the Aztecs over a team that entered the game having won at least three straight games since Nov. 9, 2013 (San Jose State). SDSU is 6-4 the last 10 times facing a team with at least a three-game win streak entering the contest.
- San Diego State is one of 22 teams nationally and the only team in the Mountain West that has won its last four games.
- The Aztecs scored in the first quarter for the 16h time in 17 games.
- SDSU held its opponent without a point in the first quarter for the fourth straight game, sixth time in eight games this season and for the ninth time over its last 12 games.
- The Aztecs outscored Utah State, 17-0, in the first quarter and have outscored the opposition, 45-0, over the last four games (all MW contests).
- SDSU had its most first quarter points (17) since scoring 21 at Fresno State on Sept. 29, 2012.
- San Diego State held its opponent to seven or less points in the first half for the seventh time in 10 games.
- SDSU had its most first-half points (34) since scoring 35 against Hawai'i in a 52-14 win on Oct. 6, 2012.
- The Aztecs have a rushing touchdown in seven straight games (12 total) and in 16 of their last 17 games.
- SDSU improved to 19-3 over its last 22 games when it recorded at least two rushing touchdowns.
- San Diego State improved to 9-1 over its last 10 games when it outrushed its opponent.
- The Aztecs threw a passing touchdown for the seventh straight game.
- SDSU improved to 16-2 over its last 18 games that it didn't throw an interception.
- San Diego State improved to 36-11 in the Rocky Long era when scoring 20 or more points.
- The Aztecs forced at least four turnovers for the second time this season (also in the opener vs. San Diego).
- SDSU gave Utah State its most turnovers in a game (4) since Nov. 19, 2011 at Idaho (also 4).
Trends
- SDSU started with the ball of the 46th time over the last 49 games.
- San Diego State lost the coin toss for just the fourth time over the last 18 games.
- The Aztecs have now gone 111 games without suffering a shutout (Nov. 18, 2006 at TCU), which is the third-longest streak among current Mountain West schools (Air Force at 277 and Boise State at 232). That is the only time SDSU has been shut out in their last 205 games.
- San Diego State improved to 5-1 on the season and 26-11 in the Rocky Long era when scoring first.
- The Aztecs improved to 5-1 on the year and 25-7 in the Rocky Long era when leading after the first quarter.
- SDSU improved to 4-1 on the season and 22-7 in the Rocky Long era when leading at the half.
The Series
- The Aztecs improved to 11-1 all-time against Utah State as the teams were meeting for the first time as both members of the Mountain West.
- SDSU won its ninth straight game in the series.
- San Diego State improved to 8-1 all-time against the Aggies at home.
Player Notes
* Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., RB (23 att., 181 yds., 2 TD)
- Rushed 23 times for 181 yards (7.9 avg.) and two touchdowns.
- Broke 100 yards rushing for the fourth straight game, fifth time this season and 18th time of his career.
- The four straight games with a 100-plus yards is tied for the fifth longest in program history.
- It was also his second 150-yard game of the season and seventh of his career (T-4th all-time at SDSU).
- Scored a rushing touchdown for the sixth straight game, matching a career-long streak.
- The two rushing touchdowns gives him 10 for the season and 38 for his career, passing Ronnie Hillman (2010-11) and Larry Ned (1998-01) into second all-time in program history.
- The two overall touchdowns gives him 11 for the year and 41 for his career.
- Has multiple rushing touchdowns for the second time this year and ninth time of his career.
- Had multiple overall touchdowns for the third straight game, third time this year and 11th time of his career.
- San Diego State is now 14-4 when he reaches 100 yards rushing, 17-7 when he has at least one rushing touchdown and 7-2 when he has multiple rushing scores.
* Chase Price, Sr., RB (21 att., 97 yds., 1 TD)
- The 21 rushing attempts mark his second-highest figure of the season.
- Reached double figures in rush attempts for the fourth straight game, marking the first time he has accomplished the feat in a single year.
- The 97 yards was his second-highest total of the season.
- Rushed for a touchdown for the second game in a row, a first for him in 2015. He has done it once before Nov. 1 and 8, 2014.
* Maxwell Smith, Sr., QB (6-for-10, 93 yds., 1 TD, 0 INT | 2 att., -7 yds., 1 TD)
- Was 6-for-10 for 93 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.
- Threw his eighth touchdown pass as an Aztec and now has 29 for his career.
- It was his fifth straight game without throwing an interception.
- Has attempted 111 consecutive passes without throwing an interception and has seven touchdowns over that span.
- Also added his first rushing touchdown of the season and career in his 29th career game.
* Mikah Holder, So., WR (1 rec., 18 yds, 1 TD)
- Caught one pass for 18 yards with an 18-yard touchdown.
- The touchdown was the third of the season (and career).
* Na'im McGee, Jr., Aztec (10 tackles (5 solo))
- Finished with a game-high-tying 10 tackles. He led all Aztecs with 10 tackles.
- Posted his second career double-figure tackle game and second of the season.
Other Notes
- J.J. Whittaker started for the 34th consecutive game, which leads all Aztecs (doesn't include specialists).
- Jeff Overbaugh, Pierre Romain and Jon Sanchez each played in their 47th straight game, the most of any current SDSU player.
- Malik Smith recorded his first interception of the season and fourth of his career.
- Jake Fely forced his second fumble of the season and seventh of his career, tying Kirk Morrison for fourth all-time at SDSU.
- Alex Barrett forced his first fumble of the season and second of his career.
- Calvin Munson recovered his second fumble of the year and career.
- Jon Sanchez and Marcus Stamps each recovered the first fumble of their career.
- Dakota Gordon had a career-long 34-yard reception.
- Donny Hageman had multiple field goals for the fourth time of the season and 11th time of his career.
- Derek Babiash played in his first game this season (and first as an Aztec).
- Tonight's Aztec Honor Warrior was Billy Blanton.
- Tonight's game temperature was 71 degrees.
- Tonight's attendance was 25,898.