SDSU soars past Falcons in win
MONDAY October 17, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 29 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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The musical “HAIR” is set to stop in San Diego on its national tour. SDSU sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in the Aztecs’ 41-27 victory against Air Force on Thursday.
Antonio Morales sports editor Ahead 20-17 in the third quarter with the ball in San Diego State territory, it appeared Air Force was on its way to putting SDSU in a 10-point hole last Thursday. Then sophomore defensive back Rene Siluano made the play that changed the complexion of the game. Siluano jumped in front of Falcon quarterback Tim Jefferson’s pass and gave the Aztecs the ball back at their own 39-yard line. SDSU outscored Air Force 24-7 from that point on and won the game going away 41-27. It was the end of a challenging three-game stretch for the Aztecs who now head into the bye week at 4-2 for the season with a 1-1 record in conference. Ryan and Ronnie return to form After subpar performances from SDSU’s two best offensive players the last two
games, senior quarterback Ryan Lindley and sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman made amends in the game against Air Force. Lindley played his most efficient game of the season, as he completed 15 of his 21 pass attempts for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Lindley’s 71 percent completion percentage was his highest of the season. It was an encouraging performance considering the senior’s play against TCU. Another encouraging sign was Hillman’s running. Hillman returned to his early season form with 172 rushing yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. Hillman’s two touchdown runs came in the fourth quarter, his 57-yard score put the game out of reach. No fumbles for the sophomore was also a positive. Both of these playmakers’ performances were helped by the offensive line, which gave Lindley ample time to throw and created holes for Hillman to run through. Head coach Rocky Long pointed out the unit’s performance after the game.
“I don’t know if Air Force’s defense was quite up to its standard,” Long said. “But I think our offensive line was able to hold them and capitalize on the mistakes made.” Timely turnovers It’s officially a trend now: The Aztec defense looks like it’s about to give up a backbreaking score, but then it comes up with a turnover at the most opportune time. Siluano’s pick was the perfect example of that. Long was quick to notice the importance and magnitude of the interception. “The interception we made really turned the tide and turned the momentum,” Long said. On the next defensive play senior defensive lineman Jerome Long forced a fumble, which was recovered by SDSU. Lindley tossed a touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Colin Lockett on the very next play to give the Aztecs the lead for good. The sequence of plays jumpstarted
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the SDSU train that wouldn’t be stopped for the rest of the night. “Their kid made a heck of a catch on the interception and they went down, they answered with points,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said. “We held them in the red zone, and then turn around and have the fumble … That stretch of only about seven plays, I thought was a pretty significant part of the game.” Extra points According to The San Diego UnionTribune sophomore tight end Gavin Escobar broke his hand in the first half and may miss three to four weeks. Senior defensive back Larry Parker came up with another interception, giving him five this season. It was his fourth straight game with a pick. It was the 19th turnover forced by the team this season. Brandon Davis’ 98-yard kickoff return in the second quarter was the second kickoff return for the Aztecs this season and is tied for the fourth-longest kickoff return in school history.
FOOTBALL
Aztecs bounce back for victory Agustin Gonzalez staff writer Three weeks after the San Diego State defense was beaten up by Denard Robinson and Michigan, and only five days after senior quarterback Ryan Lindley and sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman played their worst games of the against SDSU 41 season TCU, things AF 27 could have gotten ugly for SDSU against Air Force in Colorado Springs last Thursday, where the Aztecs hadn’t won in seven years. Instead, Hillman rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns while Lindley, who entered the game com-
pleting less than 50 percent of his passes, went 15 for 21 for 209 yards and two scores. The SDSU defense held a triple option Air Force offense that was ranked second nationally in rushing to only 195 yards on the ground in a 41-27 victory. With the win, the Aztecs improve to 4-2, matching the team’s best record after six games since 1977. But most importantly, SDSU evened up its conference record at 1-1 and kept its goal for a Mountain West Championship alive. “I believe it was a great win tonight and I believe it was a total team effort,” head coach Rocky Long said. “I thought the defense played extremely well, especially considering how explosive Air Force is on offense … I don’t know if Air Force’s defense was quite up to its standard but I think our offensive line was able to hold them
and capitalize on mistakes made.” With the score tied at 17-17 at halftime, the Aztecs scored on four straight possessions and capitalized on turnovers to break the game open in the second half. With the Falcons up 20-17, defensive back Rene Siluano picked off Air Force’s Tim Jefferson at the SDSU 20yard line, which set up a 25-yard field goal by Abelardo Perez, which tied the score. “We gained confidence as the game went along,” Long said. “The interception we made really turned the tide and turned the momentum.” Then, just eight seconds later, senior defensive lineman Jerome Long nailed the Falcons’ Mike DeWitt and forced a fumble. Senior linebacker Logan Ketchum scooped up the loose ball, and Lindley needed only one play to connect with receiver Colin Lockett for
a 28-yard go-ahead touchdown. “That stretch of only about seven plays, I thought was a pretty significant part of the game,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said. Hillman broke loose for scoring runs of 22 and 57 yards in the fourth quarter to put SDSU ahead by 21 points, and the Falcons scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jefferson in garbage time to make the final score 41-27. “We played a pretty good football team tonight,” Calhoun said after the game. “I thought we’d have to play exceptionally well. There were stretches where we did play well, but not nearly the way that you have to for a full 60 minutes.” The Aztecs now have 12 days off to enjoy the win before getting back into action against Wyoming at Qualcomm Stadium on Oct. 29.
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NEWS California Faculty Association has had enough with the CSU.
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OPINION
“A good, hard glow softened the skyline ahead. I heard footfalls behind me but I didn’t turn around.” B A C K PA G E
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W E AT H E R : PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 72 LOW: 64 SUNSET: 6:13 PM