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Aztecs Remain Undefeated, Go 2-0 vs Pac 12 in 2021

gavinireGavin Ireland
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(Photo) Jordan Byrd enters the end zone after returning a Utah kickoff for 100 yards.

Carson, Calif. – Has the Brady Hoke era begun? If you’re asking that question, you are missing another special start of the season for Aztec football. It’s starting to become an expectation. More and more, it’s defining an era in Aztec football that former head coach Rocky Long would call the media and indirectly the complaining Aztec fans: “Spoiled”.

Yes, this era of Aztec football has provided a level of success that would hand you a label of “spoiled” if you think this is mediocre football.

For the first 11 years of the Mountain West Conference, tonight’s opponent was one of the more dominant (and some could argue the most dominant) programs. So dominant, they earned a spot into the Pac 12. If you knew nothing about conference affiliation, you’d think the men in red and black would be the program as the favorites.

You’d think the Aztecs to be the monster on the field.

They’re earning it. And the Pac 12 is struggling against the argument of being the dominant conference on the west coast. I can’t speak for the other members in the Mountain West, but in terms of what the Pac 12 can matchup to San Diego State in the major two sports, the Aztec athletic programs have demonstrated they can go toe-to-toe with any school brave enough to face this school.

For the first half of football, San Diego State and Utah played nearly equal in stats and success in special teams. In fact, the 10-10 tie at halftime was gained by the special teams from both programs.

Utah struck first with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 1st quarter. Moments later, San Diego State got the offense into Utah territory to pick up a 51-yard field goal. The kick was far out enough to be San Diego State’s Matt Araiza’s longest career field goal.

The 2nd quarter was a near flip of the script to both teams. Utah drove the ball deep enough into SDSU territory to pick up a 43-yard field goal. 3-10, Utah up. The next play at kickoff, Utah’s kicker J. Redding made the mistake to kicking the ball at Aztec speedster Jordan Byrd. 100 yards and into the end zone, Byrd’s 6 points and Araiza’s PAT brought the game to a tie at 10-10.

So far in the 2021 season, whatever is happening in the locker room at halftime is enough to give these Aztecs the mojo to step up as the better team. 

San Diego State started the 3rd quarter with possession of the ball. Local San Diegan Lucas Johnson took the snap, juked a Utah defender in the backfield like Marshall Faulk would make one look a fool, and ran 54 yards on a quarterback keeper. One play later, running back Greg Bell charged into the end zone to give San Diego State their first lead of the game.

In Utah’s next possession, Utah quarterback Charlie Brewer threw right into the Aztec secondary, and Taylor Hawkins nearly ran it back for a pick 6, 34 yards in total. It took 1 play and the ball in Greg Bell’s hands to get San Diego State the lead up by 14.

It was enough pain delivered to the Utes that San Diego State was ready to play for possession for the rest of the quarter. After ending the 3rd quarter up by 14, San Diego State had 15 minutes left to wrap this game up. Utah was not going to let up, however.

With 4 minutes and 17 seconds left in the final quarter, Utah was able to get their offense into the end zone for the first time in the game with help of a hurry-up offense. Utah’s PAT went wide-right, no good. San Diego State up 24-16. The next drive for San Diego State’s offense, the ground game earned one 1st down, but not enough time off the clock to end the game. Enter Matt Araiza to launch it away.

It was time for San Diego State’s strength to lock the game up on defense. Missed tackles, desperation on offense was leaning Utah’s drive closer and closer into SDSU territory. With under 2 minutes left in the game, Utah was showing no sign of giving up.

A deep pass into the end zone, the pass by Utah quarterback Cameron Rising was underthrown and nearly picked off. The officials made a terrible call and ruled it defensive pass interference.

With 20 seconds left, Rising threw a pass into the SDSU end zone to bring the game to 26-24, Aztecs up by 2. Utah needed 2 to tie and bring it to overtime. San Diego State’s defense chose to bring the pressure, and wide open in the left side of the end zone was Utah receiver Solomon Enis. Game tied at 24.

In overtime, San Diego State got a crucial complete pass to tight end Dan Bellinger. One play later, Johnson scrambled and looked to be taking it into the end zone, but flipped it over to Jay Rudolph for 2 yards into the end zone.

Aztecs up by 7.

Enter Utah’s offense, and one play was all it took with a pass to Jaylen Dixon. Game tied at 31.

Utah’s offense was first to take the field this time. 3 plays, and Utah was unable to get it into the end zone. On comes the kicking unit from Salt Lake City. The kick was up, and went wide right.

Montezuma’s men on offense returned to the field with all the momentum to close the game out. Give the ball to Greg Bell 3 times and let your star specialist Matt Araiza to close it out. Utah’s strategy is an old one, and questionably is one that makes much difference. Whether or not it does, Araiza’s kick near the center of the field flew wide right.

Onto the 3rd overtime, San Diego State returned to the field to be first on offense. This year’s rules are now different. Both teams must attempt 2-point conversions after the 2nd overtime. As the Aztec offense lined up for the play, Lucas Johnson appeared to be calling an audible as he moved from a shotgun formation, took a quick step to the right of the center to snap. The ball from the snap went to Greg Bell’s hands as he ran left towards wide receiver Jessie Matthews, running right, and Matthews found a wide open Lucas Johnson in the end zone to put the Aztecs up 33-31. The “Philly Special”.

Utah Utes, now with their opportunity to keep the game alive, lined up with 3 receivers left, one in motion, and  Connor O’Tool ran a slant route left in what first appeared to be a complete pass in the left corner of the end zone.

The ruling on the field was a complete pass and into the end zone. And then modern technology gave the audience a 2nd and 3rd look. The ball was not secure in O’Tool’s arms and he was unable to get under the ball before it touched the field. After a questionable performance by the officials for the night, the most important call ended up be called correctly.

The lead official took to the PA: “After review, the ruling on the field has been changed to an incomplete pass. The game is over.”

San Diego State wins it with a rare-seen trick play on offense. For those who’ve had beef with offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski, I think it’s time to find a sock and mute yourself. It’s not the perfect offense, but it’s been just enough offense in 2021 to keep this team undefeated. How long will that last? Only time will tell, but for now, this team is entertaining, and one to watch!

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