San Diego State Aztecs vs Fresno State Bulldogs Football Recap

SDSU 35, Fresno State 28

It might seem like a counterintuitive reality, but on a strictly numerical level, the San Diego State Aztecs’ 2011 regular season has been just as productive and successful as their 2010 regular season. The deeper realities underlying the past two years of college football in San Diego might paint a different picture, but on the surface, the Aztecs have maintained what they initially established a season ago.

After falling behind 21-0 in the first half, San Diego State rode the legs of Ronnie Hillman to a 35-28 comeback win in San Diego late Saturday night. Derek Carr’s thrown interception in the final minute ended Fresno State’s last effort and secured the win for the Aztecs.

Last year, San Diego State went 8-4 in the regular season, but the college football world didn’t expect such a breakout year from Los Aztecs, long locked in the embrace of obscurity on the Montezuma Mesa. This year, more was expected from SDSU, so when the Aztecs faltered so profoundly against Michigan and TCU in the first half of the season, it was easy to write off San Diego State under new coach Rocky Long. When former boss Brady Hoke moved to Michigan, it was reasonable to think that San Diego State would collapse. However, this win over Fresno State shows that the Aztecs were able to hold things together, long enough to produce the same 8-4 regular season the 2010 team managed to deliver.

It’s certainly an achievement which demands to be pondered for more than a few seconds.

Fresno State opened with a bang when it blocked a first-quarter Aztec field goal attempt and Isaiah Green returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. To open the second quarter, Carr connected with Jalen Saunders for an 88-yard touchdown pass, then five minutes later hit Josh Harper on a 23-yard score. But Hillman’s 178 rushing yards was too much for Fresno State to handle. San Diego State scored 28 unanswered, then Hillman scored from two yards out with 1:09 left to give the Aztecs the win. Carr finished 19-35 for 336 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Ryan Lindley threw for 281 yards, connecting with Gavin Escobar and Colin Lockett both of whom pulled down more than 100 receiving yards.

The loss ended Fresno State’s season with a 4-9 record, and despite a strong track record of getting the Bulldogs to bowl games, led to the school firing long-time coach Pat Hill. In 15 seasons at Fresno, Hill led the Bulldogs to 11 bowl games and posted a 112-80 record.

San Diego State moved to 8-4 with the win and will travel outside the regular MWC bowl lineup to play Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) in the New Orleans Bowl on December 17.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer