AZTECS WIN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 

All photos credited to:  Derrick Tuscan, SDSU Athletic Media Relations  

 

 

By Liz Alper

 

December 6, 2015 (San Diego) - In Aztec culture, the warrior is seen as strong and fearless in the face of adversity.  The Aztecs haven't faced that much adversity in nine weeks.  Last night, it smacked them in the face, but they stayed true to their name and stayed strong up until the final seconds of the Mountain West conference championship game.

 

It looked like SDSU was going to get off to a hot start in the first quarter, but a penalty on Donnell Pumphrey and Dakota Gordon on an amazing touchdown pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Christian Chapman to Mikah Holder brought the play back and forced the Aztecs to punt.

 

On the punt, however, Holder fumbled and turned the ball over to the Falcons close to their own goal line, where they of course ran a few option plays to take a 7-0 lead.  It was the first time that the Aztecs have trailed since Halloween night against Colorado State.

 

SDSU got the ball back and pulled right up to Air Force with a great pass from Chapman to Pumphrey to start the second quarter.  Pump got revenge for his earlier penalty and his third receiving touchdown of the season.  7-7.

 

After a few exchanges of possession, Jacobi Owens broke through the Aztec secondary for a big run that put the Falcons in scoring position.  Luckily, the Aztecs played good defense down low and held the Falcons to a field goal.  10-7 Air Force.

 

Never fear; Pumphrey is here.  Chapman threw it downfield to Pump for a goal line position, but the Aztecs couldn't finish the job.  They too were held to a field goal and we were knotted at 10.

 

 

In the second half, the Aztecs defense went downhill.  After a fumble that cornerback J.J. Whittaker for some reason didn't come up with, the Falcons had great field position and running back Timothy McVey took it in for the score in the third quarter.  17-10 Air Force.  This was the first time that the Aztecs have trailed in the second half since September 26 against Penn State.

 

The Aztecs didn't give up.  They went for it on fourth down and 235-pound fullback Gordon ran ahead for the first down and then punched it in to the end zone to tie the game at 17.

 

SDSU took their first lead of the night following a great pass from Chapman and a reception by Jemond Hazely.  Halfback Rashad Penny broke through the tackles for the score to give the Aztecs a 24-17 lead.

 

That didn't last long.  The Falcons went for it on fourth and goal and a toss to McVey tied the game at 24 in the fourth quarter.

 

With 5:10 left in the game, Donny Hageman kicked a field goal to give the Aztecs a 27-24 lead.  That was all the Aztecs would need; they batted down a Hail Mary thrown by Falcons quarterback Karson Roberts to get their 20th conference championship win in dramatic fashion.  Next up is bowl season.