San Diego State Aztecs vs New Mexico Lobos Football Recap

SAN DIEGO STATE 35, NEW MEXICO 7

There's just one small piece of consolation in the 2011 college football season for the San Diego State Aztecs: Despite playing well below expectations and losing ground in their league, they're still likely to do something that they've never done before.

San Diego State used a direct, deliberate effort to dispatch of lowly New Mexico on Saturday night in San Diego. The straightforward, no-frills performance moved the Aztecs to 5-3 on the season, and 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference.

It has been a - well - Rocky season for SDSU and head coach Rocky Long. The team that stormed the palace gate in 2010 has not shown up this season. The edge, the crispness, the effectiveness the Aztecs demonstrated last season has not been replicated this autumn. Instead of soaring to the second spot in the Mountain West and overtaking a very inconsistent TCU crew in the league's pecking order, Los Aztecs have regressed, falling to the middle of the pack and out of a top tier currently occupied by TCU and Boise State. Big things were expected from this program this season, and yet, for all that's gone wrong, San Diego State might still register a milestone worth smiling about.

San Diego State got a smooth effort from Ronnie Hillman, who - although not currently the nation’s leading rusher in terms of raw yards per game - posted 141 yards on 29 carries to give ballast to the Aztecs' attack. Walter Kazee rushed for three touchdowns and 39 yards as well. SDSU quarterback Ryan Lindley was 16 of 24 as a passer for 271 yards in the win, a much-needed get-well tonic that will allow this team to breathe a bit after a very disappointing loss to Wyoming the week before. The Aztecs will prepare to travel to Fort Collins, Colorado, next week to play Colorado State (3-5). The Aztecs can punch their ticket to the postseason if they come through in the Rockies; thanks to this win over Los Lobos, they're now one win away from going to a second straight bowl game, which would be the first time in school history San Diego State has ever pulled off that feat. It's a commentary on the history of the SDSU program that it could have a down year this season and yet notch the kind of positive accomplishment that's been so distinctly elusive for decades.

New Mexico, on the other hand, is as low as a program could be, and is likely the worst team in the country this side of Memphis. Having been outscored 195-14 over its last four games, the Lobos were outgained by an average of 490 yards to 182 in that stretch. B.R. Holbrook completed 10 of 20 passes for 88 yards and two interceptions against San Diego State, and Crusoe Gongbay led Lobo rushers with 68 yards. The Lobos are now 0-9, and although it is unlikely that they will ever break through, next week’s matchup against UNLV (2-6) may be their last realistic shot at a win this season.

One can certainly say this about New Mexico: San Diego State might be suffering through a less than satisfying season, but compared to New Mexico, the Aztecs are facing a very pleasant set of problems.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer