Oct. 4, 2015
Past Michael Klitzing 2014-15 football features
2014
Aztecs make strong first impression (Aug. 30)
Pumphrey's dominance is no passing fancy (Sept. 27)
Injury bug can't keep these Aztecs off the field (Oct. 19)
Barrett's play helps SDSU keep goals within reach (Nov. 8)
Pumphrey has Aztec history within reach (Nov. 29)
Aztecs, Pumphrey unable to savor record season (Dec. 23)
2015
New Aztecs QB Smith grateful to feel those gameday jitters again (Sept. 3)
Better pass with caution against these Aztecs (Sept. 6)
Aztecs lean on toughness at crucial juncture
By Michael Klitzing
@mikeklitzing
SAN DIEGO - There were so many layers of significance to San Diego State's 21-7 victory over Fresno State Saturday night, that it's hard to hone in on just one.
The win snapped a losing skid that had brought the season to a crossroads. It started Mountain West Conference play on the right note as the Aztecs eye a division crown very much up for grabs. It even returned the Old Oil Can back to Montezuma Mesa for the first time since 2011.
But another layer ââ'¬" the way the victory unfolded ââ'¬" might be most significant of all. Consider it a clear message, one sure to resonate both around the MW and in the SDSU locker room:
San Diego State may have lost three straight games, but it sure as heck has not lost its identity.
The hallmark of Aztecs football as it emerged from the wilderness to reach five straight bowl games this decade can be distilled to one attribute: toughness.
On the defensive side of the ball, toughness means playing aggressive, stifling, hard-hitting defense. Saturday, head coach Rocky Long's defense turned in a masterfully complete performance that ground the Bulldogs spread attack to a halt, producing some statistics that were truly shocking for the current era of college football.
"Statistically it looks unbelievable," Long said.
Indeed, Fresno State is probably having a tough time believing it. The Bulldogs' spread attack entered play averaging 342 yards and 25 points per game. The Aztecs held them to an astonishing 89 total yards, an average of 0.5 yards per rush, zero third down conversions and a meager 47 offensive plays.
"I thought the defensive kids played their hearts out," Long said. "I thought the coverage was good, I thought the rush was good and (Fresno) really struggled running the ball. That's due to our players knowing what their assignments are and playing really hard.
"And then you had a quarterback who couldn't get into a groove because he wasn't out there."
You can credit the toughness of the offense for that.
On the offensive side, toughness means running the ball. Saturday, offensive coordinator Jeff Horton called 15 consecutive run plays to start the game.
"It was pre-planned that we were not going to throw a ball on the first drive ââ'¬" every play was going to be a running play," Long said. "We wanted to set up the image of what this game was supposed to be all about."
That image became crystal clear immediately. SDSU's opening salvo went for 10 plays and 78 yards, capped by a 33-yard Donnel Pumphrey touchdown run. Pumphrey gained 124 yards on 23 carries before leaving with a high ankle sprain in the third quarter. His backup, senior Chase Price proved equally relentless, gaining 151 yards on 27 carries.
In all, the Aztecs racked up 305 yards on the ground and held the ball for 37 minutes.
"We try to build our team on heart and toughness," Long said. "The only way to prove that is to run the ball. I have a belief that if you run the ball like we did tonight, eventually it wins the game for you. What it does is help the defense, especially against spread teams that want to go hurry-up. They're not on the field. They can't gain yards and score points when they're sitting on the bench.
"Today the game plan worked."
And in the process, a message was sent. Loud and clear