Aztecs Rally Hard To Win At New Mexico 31-23

Chapman, Washington and Lessard return to the gridiron helping the Aztecs prevail over the Lobos in New Mexico

Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

“We’ve done it so many times now . . . that’s our personality.” – Rocky Long on Aztecs close-call victories.

Rocky Long’s San Diego State Aztecs (7-2, 4-1 Mountain West) pulled out another victory, this one a 31-23 win over Bob Davie’s New Mexico Lobos (3-6, 1-4) before a crowd of 14,646 at Dreamstyle Stadium.

The Lobos entered the game having taken note that the Aztecs don’t exactly blow out their competition.  They, like so many other Mountain West teams believed victory was attainable- and they almost succeeded.

At times it appeared that the Aztecs offense was trying to hand out a win, and they didn’t lead at any point in the game until the third quarter.  They were painfully repetitive with offensive penalties.

What enabled the Aztecs to rally hard in the fourth quarter for a win?  With Christian Chapman, Juwan Washington and Isaac Lessard returning, offense scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, while Aztecs defense led by relentless linebacker Kyahva Tezino allowed the Lobos only 142 yards of total offense.

Ryan Agnew, who has filled in for Chapman since September 8th, started in the game but was sacked on the game’s opening drive and fumbled the ball, which was picked up by New Mexico defensive end Adebayo Soremekun, who lumbered 44 yards for the scoop-and-score touchdown and 7-0 lead.

The Aztecs improved on their second possession, moving downfield on a 14-play, 80-yard drive capped by Chase Jasmin’s 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

In the second quarter, Chapman stepped in along with Washington.  They both got their bearings as Chapman connected a pass to Ethan Dedeaux, and Washington dusted off the cobwebs to find his wheels.

Another fumble hurt the Aztecs. This time it was Washington losing the ball, which New Mexico converted into a 41-yard field goal giving the Lobos a 10-7 halftime lead.

SDSU had a total of three fumbles, all leading to a New Mexico score. The Lobos’ first 10 points were directly the result of turnovers.

The Lobos scored again in the third quarter, but missed the extra point, thanks to a deflected extra point kick.   The Aztecs answered with another touchdown, trailing 16-14, before the Lobos scored again to blow the lead out to 23-14.

The Aztecs found themselves in a 9-point deficit well into the fourth quarter when Chapman cut the Lobos’ lead to 23-21 with a 75-yard drive ending with a 19-yard Kahale Warring touchdown.

The Aztecs defense was able to hold New Mexico on its next possession, forcing the Lobos to punt. After Garrett Binkley’s 35-yard punt return to New Mexico’s 41, the Lobos were called on a penalty, pushing the Aztecs to New Mexico’s 30.

Three plays later, John Barron II nailed a 32-yard field goal to give SDSU a 24-23 go-ahead lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game.

After an interception, Juwan Washington rushed for a 50-yard touch down to seal the deal.

Washington, in his return managed two long touchdowns and rushed for 95 yards.  87 of those yards followed contact, which is really impressive.

Chapman completed 13-of-19 passes for 182 yards and one TD.

This is the fourth time this year that the Aztecs won after trailing in the fourth quarter and the seventh straight game where the game was decided by eight points or less.

With the victory against New Mexico, Rocky Long’s Aztecs now have achieved another winning season.

“It’s been a fight. Every game has been a fight. They’re always close,” Chapman said. “That’s the theme for this team this year.”