The Aztecs surprised San Jose with a 22 point fourth quarter and come from behind, 34-30 win over San Jose State. It was only fitting that SDSU got the best of SJSU this year after getting beat 38-34 last year at Qualcomm. This year the Aztecs returned the favor and outscored San Jose State 22-7 in the fourth quarter to turn an 11-point deficit into a 34-30 win Saturday night in San Jose. The Aztecs made just enough plays to win in the fourth quarter.
The turning point was came off a Damonte Kazee blocked field goal and Nate Berhe recovered the ball and returned it 56 yards to the Spartan 34 and on the very next play Donnel Pumphrey took it into the end zone for a touchdown and a two point conversion to Dylan Denso cut the lead to three 23-20.
The Spartans countered pushing the lead 30-20, but the Aztecs drove the length of the field and Adam Roberts scored from the 1 and then Adam Muema scored his second touchdown of the game and 10th of the season. JJ Whitaker sealed the victory when he picked off David Fales to give the Red & Black their fifth win against four losses.
Two days later all Aztec fans are in disbelief about the kicking game! The Aztecs haven't made a field goal since September and missed two against San Jose and had two PATs blocked.
"The kicking game was terrible," Long said. "Almost as bad as it can get except we made two extra points. We work on it all the time and the players have been working hard. They're who we have, so we're going to continue working and hopefully they'll get out of their funk and start making some field goals for us. "They have to just get to where they're able to do it in a game. It's probably a psychological problem right now."
The Aztecs have won 5 of 6 after starting the season 0-3; they are now one win away from bowl eligibility with 0-9 Hawaii scheduled for next week. But that doesn't mean that Long is breathing any easier after Saturday's win.
"I think you have to win seven games to make sure you're in a bowl game. Six wins gets you bowl eligible, it doesn't necessarily get you to a bowl game. Besides, we'd like to win all the rest of (the remaining games)."
Aztecs fans, there's one thing we all have to remember here we were playing walk-on's and they are doing a pretty good job for us! Quinn Kahler has been steady all year completing 153 of 244 attempts for 2004 yards and 13 touchdowns and only six picks. Plus former walk-ons Tim Vizzi, Dylan Denso and Chad Young leadership has kept the offense solid. You can count on those guys.
All in all, we're holding our own in a conference in a Quarterback dominated league with; David Carr, David Fales, Cody Fajardo, Brett Smith and don't forget Chucky Keaton and Joe Southwick who are on the IR. How many other MWC schools QBs are paying for their own classes?