Dec. 5, 2015
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SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State-Air Force Postgame Notes
Big Notes
- San Diego State captured its 20th conference title in school history and second in the Mountain West era (also a three-way tie with Boise State and Fresno State in 2012).
- The Aztecs won their 10th game of the year, their most since also winning 10 games as an independent team in 1977. The 10 victories is one-win shy of the school record of 11 (1966 as a Division II member and 1969 in its first year of Division I play).
- SDSU won its ninth consecutive game, the program's longest streak since a 10-game winning stretch during the 1976-77 seasons.
- The Aztecs rushed for 233 yards to set a single-season record of 3,061. The previous record was 2,869 during the 2012 season. The top-three rushing seasons in program history have now come under SDSU head coach Rocky Long.
#Win20
- San Diego State captured its 20th conference title in school history and second in the Mountain West era (also a three-way tie with Boise State and Fresno State in 2012).
- The Aztecs now have as many conference titles (2) over the past four years as they had over the previous 25 seasons.
- SDSU won its first outright conference title since 1986.
Season Notes
- San Diego State won its 10th game of the year, its most since also winning 10 games as an independent team in 1977. The 10 victories is one-win shy of the school record of 11 (1966 as a Division II member and 1969 in its first year of Division I play).
- The last Aztec coach to win 10 games in a season was Claude Gilbert in 1976 and 1977.
- SDSU won its sixth straight game at home and improved to 6-1 at home for the second consecutive season. San Diego State is now 14-2 (.875) over its last 16 home contests.
Win Streaks
- San Diego State won its ninth consecutive game, the third-longest active streak nationally trailing Clemson (16) and Alabama (10). It is the Aztecs' longest winning stretch since a 10-game winning streak during the 1976-77 seasons.
- SDSU has not lost a game in 70 days (since Sept. 26), or an even 10 weeks.
Team Notes
- SDSU won its 22nd consecutive game when rushing for at least 200 yards and are now 30-2 in the Rocky Long era when rushing for 200-plus yards.
- San Diego State broke 200 yards rushing for the ninth straight game, extending its longest streak in its Division I history (since 1969).
- The Aztecs did not throw an interception for the 11th straight game, extending the program's longest streak in its Division I history (since 1969).
- SDSU did not score in the first quarter for just the second time in 23 games.
- The Aztecs forced a 3 and out on its opponent's opening possession for the sixth time this year in 13 games.
- San Diego State trailed, 7-0, in the first quarter, its first time since the Colorado State game on Oct. 31, a period of 220 minutes, 59 seconds in between (220:59).
- SDSU had scored in 17 consecutive quarters until not scoring in the first quarter today, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation.
- San Diego State was shut out in the first quarter for the first time since the South Alabama game on Nov. 19.
- SDSU has now outscored MW opponents, 175-55, in the first half in nine games this year.
- The Aztecs trailed, 17-10, in the third quarter vs. Air Force, its first time trailing in the second have since the Penn State game on Sept. 26. SDSU has not trailed in the second half in each of its last eight games (all MW games) prior to tonight.
- The Aztecs have a rushing touchdown in 11 straight games (29 total) and in 21 of their last 22 games, and eight straight with multiple rushing scores (26 total).
- San Diego State improved to 24-3 over its last 27 games when recording at least two rushing touchdowns.
- San Diego State improved to 21-2 over its last 23 games that it didn't throw an interception.
- SDSU improved to 41-11 in the Rocky Long era when scoring just 20 or more points.
- The Aztecs have now gone 196 passes without throwing an interception, extending the longest active streak in the country.
Trends
- SDSU started with the ball for the 50th time over the last 54 games.
- San Diego State won the coin toss for the 17th time over the last 23 games.
- The Aztecs have now gone 116 games without suffering a shutout (Nov. 18, 2006 at TCU), which is the third-longest streak among current Mountain West schools (Air Force at 284 and Boise State at 237). That is the only time SDSU has been shut out in their last 209 games.
The Series
- SDSU won its sixth straight game against Air Force and improved to 20-14 all-time against the Falcons.
- San Diego State improved to 9-7 all-time against the Falcons in San Diego and won for the fourth straight game vs. AFA in San Diego.
- The Aztecs improved to 10-7 all-time vs. Air Force in the Mountain West era.
Player Notes
* Christian Chapman, RS-Fr., QB (9-for-14, 203 yds., 1 TD, 0 INT | 6 att., 32 yds. (5.3 avg.)
- Was 9-for-14 for 203 yards and his first career touchdown pass in his first career start without throwing an interception.
- Was named the game's most valuable offensive player.
- Set career highs in completions (9), pass attempts (14), yards (203), touchdowns (1) and pass efficiency rating (209.7).
- The 203 passing yards were the most by an Aztec this season and the most since Quinn Kaehler threw for 326 vs. Air Force on Nov. 21, 2014.
- Also added a career-best 32 rushing yards on a career-high six attempts (5.3 avg.).
- Also had a career-long 48-yard pass.
* Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., RB (16 att., 90 yds.) | 2 rec., 64 yds., 1 TD)
- Rushed 16 times for 90 yards (5.6 avg.), while adding two catches for 64 yards (32.0 avg.) and a touchdown.
- Set career highs in receiving yards (64) and long reception (40)
- The receiving touchdown was his third of the year and fifth of his career, while the overall touchdown was his 19th of the season and 49th of his career.
* Rashaad Penny, So., RB (1 att., 28 yds., 1 TD | 4 KR, 87 yds.)
- Rushed one time for a 28-yard touchdown.
- It was his fourth rushing touchdown this season (and of his career) and his seventh overall score this year (and of his career).
* Dakota Gordon, Sr., FB (5 att., 32 yds., 1 TD)
- Rushed five times for 32 yards (6.4 avg.) and a touchdown.
- The touchdown was his second of the season, second of his career and second over the past three games (also at UNLV on Sept. 21).
* Jemond Hazely, Sr., WR (5 rec., 78 yds.)
- Finished with five catches for 78 yards, averaging 15.6 yards per catch.
- Set career highs in both receptions (5, previous best was 3) and receiving yards (78, previous best was 45).
* Chase Price, Sr., RB (18 att., 51 yds., | 1 KR, 20 yds.)
- Rushed for 51 yards on 18 attempts (2.8 avg.).
- Now has 940 rushing yards for the season, just 60 shy of 1,000.
- Had his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown snapped at six.
- Reached double figures in rush attempts for the ninth straight game, extending the longest streak of his career.
- Also added a 20-yard kick return.
* Na'im McGee, Jr., AZ (10 tackles (5 solo), 1.0 TFL)
- Had a team high and game-high-tying 10 tackles (5 solo) to go along with a tackle for loss.
- Was named the game's most valuable defensive player.
- The 10 tackles were one off a career best and marked his third career game (second this year) with 10 or more tackles in a game.
* Alex Barrett, Jr., DT (8 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 FF)
- Had eight tackles (six solo), 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
- His eight stops set a season high and tied a career best.
- The forced fumble was his second of the season and third of his career.
Other Notes
- J.J. Whittaker started for the 39th consecutive game, which leads all Aztecs (doesn't include specialists).
- Jeff Overbaugh, Pierre Romain and Jon Sanchez each played in their 52nd straight game, the most of any current SDSU player.
- Defensive end Kyle Kelley made his first career start.
- Tonight's Aztec Honor Warrior was SDSU's all-time leading rusher Marshall Faulk (1991-93).
- Tonight's game temperature was 70 degrees, the warmest game in MW Championship history.
- Tonight's attendance was 20,959.