Depleted Aztecs Fall Short of New Mexico Bowl Win 

Background

The San Diego State Aztecs football team fell 49-47 to the University of North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl. SDSU entered the game at 9-3, coming off a loss to the University of New Mexico in their previous outing, which kept them out of the Mountain West Championship game. The UNT Mean Green came into the game at 11-2 after losing the American Conference Championship game to Tulane, effectively keeping them out of the CFP.        

The First Half

The Mean Green came into the contest averaging 46.9 points per game, and the Aztecs allowed them to score 49.  The Aztec defense came into the game after losing their defensive coordinator and their top two cornerbacks. This defense was not the same one that plagued Mountain West teams all season, but the Mean Green deserve credit for executing their game plan and finding the holes in the Aztec defense. North Texas gained 618 total yards on offense, which was 114 more yards than its average for the season, according to ESPN. 

The Mean Green took the first lead at 7-0 and never trailed from there. The Aztecs would score on their opening drive as well, but failed to make their two-point conversion. The mean green would score two more touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 21-6 advantage after one. The Aztecs came right out of the break, and starting quarterback Burt Emanuel Jr. ran 72 yards to the endzone to bring the Aztecs right back in it. Sloppy play from the defense and an untimely fumble at the goal line led to UNT going up two scores. The Aztecs managed to move the ball down the field after giving up the score, but it came at a cost. Starting quarterback Emmanuel Jr. hurt his left arm diving for the pylon and left the game. He would not return for the Aztecs.   

Will They Crum(ble)?

Enter third-string quarterback Kyle Crum. Crum is a Junior from Norco, California, who had last played in SDSU’s loss to Washington State back in September. The third stringer was not his sharpest, but who would be after not playing for over three months? Crum was, however, a shot in the arm for the Aztecs, who needed scores desperately. His fourth play from scrimmage was a terrific fourth-and-goal touchdown pass to the tight end Jackson Ford. Once again, the Aztecs were only down a score. They entered halftime down 28-20, which seemed like a small miracle after giving up 21 first-quarter points.  

The Aztecs’ third quarter was one to forget. They managed to squeak a measly 11 yards out of the offense. Kyle Crum threw two interceptions in the quarter, one of which UNT would cash in for a touchdown on 11 plays. UNT played sloppily as well, but managed to tack two more touchdowns on the board to stretch their lead to 42-20 to end the third quarter. SDSU’s defense was not stopping the run, and UNT took advantage. The announcers from ESPN had declared the game more or less over. 

No Quit Aztecs

The resilient Aztecs did not get the memo. After forcing UNT into a three-play, 33-second drive, the Aztecs used their ground game to claw back into the game. Christian Washington had a terrific 38-yard run, and Kyle Crum punched it in from 11 yards to make it 42-27 with 12:03 left to play in the game. The Aztecs forced another three-and-out to really turn the heat up on UNT. The punt from that three-and-out was returned by Nathan Acevedo for a 63-yard touchdown. The Aztecs had risen from the dead on back-to-back drives, trailing 42-34 with 10:41 left in the fourth. Right after that touchdown, UNT would put together a long drive, helped by a questionable roughing the passer call. The Mean Green drove 74 yards in four and a half minutes to push the score to 49-34. However, the Aztecs still refused to roll over. 

The next drive for SDSU saw Crum and Acevedo connect for a screen pass that Acevedo took 42 yards down to the 25-yard line. Washington would punch it in for 6 a few plays later. The Aztecs failed their second two-point conversion of the game, and the score became 49-40 in favor of UNT. The Aztecs showed their resilience one last time by putting together a scoring drive, capped off by a Kyle Crum QB sneak. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, there was only one second left on the clock after that drive. UNT would win the game 49-47. 

What’s Next?

While this game was disappointing, Aztecs fans should come away with this: this group showed great tenacity and fight while missing multiple key players. This team was down three scores numerous times in the game and clawed their way back to only lose by two. This loss stings for the Aztec faithful, but it is clear that great progress was made year to year under Sean Lewis and Co. The Aztecs already have commitments from three players to return next year, including star running back Lucky Sutton. Hopefully, the Aztecs bring this tenacity and grit into the new look Pac-12 next year. Stay up-to-date with San Diego State on East Village Times year-round. 

Max Montoya

A Southern California kid from San Clemente, he attended Gonzaga University and obtained a degree in sports management with minors in digital marketing and public relations. Max has been a San Diego sports fan for life.