Upset alert! Last Saturday, San Diego State continued its hot winning streak in Boise, Idaho against the equally sweltering 7-1
Broncos for one of the most important games of the season. The Aztecs are now 5-1 in Mountain West Conference play, while the Broncos are now 4-1. Interestingly enough, both teams will be moving on to the Big East conference next season, so this could evolve intoa heated rivalry in the coming years.The significance of Saturday’s game was evident as the Broncos came into action riding a seven- game winning streak and possibly looking ahead to a Bowl Champi- onship Series game. However, the fighting Aztecs stood in Boise’s way, with their potent running game and sophomore rookie quar- terback Adam Dingwell.
The game launched with a thrill- ing opening kickoff return for a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Colin Lockett returned his second kickoff for a touchdown this year, which gave the Aztecs an instant 7-0 lead to play with.
On an ensuing drive for the Broncos, they converted against the Aztec defense on a crucial fourth down. They later punched it into the end zone behind redshirt senior running back D.J. Harper and failed on the two-point con- version to make the score 7-6 in favor of the Aztecs.
The game proceeded and the Az- tecs continued to fight. Dingwell showed great poise in the pocket, as he converted on multiple third downs to keep the SDSU drives alive. With the Broncos front sev- en penetrating most of the SDSU running plays, the Aztecs were forced to rely on Dingwell.
The Aztecs defense played strong throughout, but were tricked by a fake reverse touch- down run by Harper to put the Broncos on top. Heading into the half, SDSU trailed 13-7, but remained in striking distance of the Broncos.
“First half we were moving the ball well. We were getting some yards whether it was on the ground or through the air, and we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot whether with penalties or myself making a bad read or something,” Dingwell said.
Boise State received the ball first in the second half and on the first offensive play redshirt ju- nior quarterback Joe Southwick was forced into a bad throw that was picked off by safety and lead- ing tackler, junior defensive back Nat Berhe. SDSU, however, could not capitalize, as senior kicker Chance Marden did not connect on a chip-shot field goal.
On the next possession, the SDSU defense held the Broncos to three-and-out and then blocked the fourth-down punt. The of- fense set up beautifully and pro- ceeded to punch it in for six behind sophomore running back Adam Muema. The Aztecs regained the lead 14-13.
After a back and forth third quarter, the Aztecs found them- selves driving down the blue turf with a surge. With the help of a trademark Muema run and a pass interference penalty against Boi- se, SDSU got first and goal from the seven-yard line. On a fourth and goal, SDSU head coach Rocky Long told the offense to stay on the field, and they converted with a 1-yard touchdown run, by senior running back Walter Kazee.
The Bronco offense marched right back down the field and crossed the goal line to cut the lead to 21-19. Boise State at- tempted the two-point conversion for the tie, but did not succeed yet again, as Southwick’s pass was in- tercepted by junior defensive back Rene Siluano to deny the conver- sion. The score remained 21-19 in favor of the visiting Aztecs, with approximately five minutes re- maining in the game.
The Aztecs received the ball with one goal in mind: To run the clock out and convert a couple of first downs to ice the game. They followed their running backs, Muema and Kazee and converted on a crucial fourth down to ice the game and snag a rare victory in Boise.
“The second half, we just said the first half is behind us and there’s 30 minutes in front of us stopping us from reaching our goals this season,” Dingwell said. “Everybody believed and nobody ever had a doubt, and we came out here and got a good win.”
With that victory, the Aztecs moved into a first place tie with Fresno State atop the Mountain West Conference. Dingwell finished Saturday’s action efficiently, going 12 for 18 with 105 passing yards and one interception. Muema had yet another successful outing in the backfield, with 127 yards and one rushing touchdown. The Aztec defense remained strong throughout and played an essential role in the upset victory. The Aztecs return home next week to welcome Air Force, as they seek their sixth straight victory.
“It feels amazing, you know, coming in as the underdogs and being able to compete and finish out with a win was great,” senior defensive back Leon Mcfadden said. “We came in with a chip on our shoulders and in the result we won.”
