Not that you care about how I ruined my Saturday afternoon, but I watched the Aztecs-Wyoming game with lemonverbena at his home in picturesque South Park, San Diego. I mention this seemingly-irrelevant “behind the blogging” factoid because I think we had the two possible rational reactions to what shall henceforth for referred to as The Unfortunate Incident at Jonah Field.
In the wake of the Aztecs’ 34-33 aspiration-crushing loss to the Wyoming Cowboys, we have decided to EMBRACE DEBATE. Because agonizing over a heartbreaking defeat is FUN.
REACTION 1: Don’t blame Rocky
I, aztecskillinghim, support Rocky Long’s decision to go for the two-point conversion following Quest Truxton’s improbable and amazing tip-drill Hail Mary incompletion turned touchdown reception. The reasoning is threefold:
- Josh Allen had led the Cowboys on touchdown drives of 85 and 75 yards in his previous two possessions. SDSU’s defense, gassed at 7,200 feet, probably wasn’t going to keep him out of the end zone from the 25.
- Do you have anywhere near the same level of confidence in Christian Chapman?
- No you don’t, liar.
I’ll even take it a step further: Calls like that are what made Rocky Long Rocky Long in our eyes. Remember the first signature win of the Rocky era? It was a comeback overtime thriller against Nevada that ultimately spurred SDSU’s 2012 MWC title run. (skip ahead to 1:52 in this clip for a glimpse of happier times)
Pretty much the same idea.
It’s true that scared money don’t make no money. But sometimes ballsy money don’t either.
REACTION 2: Blame Rocky
Lemonverbena had the following bone to pick with the grizzled ballcoach:
San Diego State had just been the recipient of a goddamn miracle. Not just Truxton’s miracle catch, but that the MWC replay officials – on the road, no less – were willing to overturn such a tough call to give SDSU the touchdown and risk a hillbilly riot on the street(s) on Laramie.
I mean, look at this fucking thing:
Going for two after that improbable play – and after your offense was standing in the cold for several minutes on the sideline while everything was sorted out – amounted to spitting in the face of the Hail Mary gods. Not a great idea!
Oh and also if you do go for it, maybe draw up a play for one of your playmakers, rather than – say – a converted quarterback who touches the ball, like, every other game?
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Actually there was one more reaction I haven’t mentioned yet.
That was the ‘American Pie’ sequel accidental cum consumption scene of Aztec football moments.
– lemonverbena after the loss
On that, we are in complete agreement. In fact, I’m going to see if I can get someone to cross stitch that on a pillow sham for me.
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None of this hot takery would be necessary, of course, had the Aztecs defense been able to stop the frustratingly good combination of Allen and running back Brian Hill. Wyoming put up 487 yards of offense. That’s a lot against any defense, and an absolute fuckton against Dark Side Part Deux. SDSU couldn’t get off the field on third down and couldn’t keep Allen from improvising with his legs.
This is basically that last paragraph in GIF form.
Allen’s elusiveness is also responsible for the game’s biggest turning point – a 45-yard pass to Jake Maulhardt with the Pokes down 27-20 where Allen stepped out of a sack, rolled out and then slung it across his body while falling out of bounds.
Now, Kalan Montgomery might have actually wrestled that ball away for a pick, but CBS Sports Network was shooting this game using a pair of Sony Handycams SO I GUESS WE’LL NEVER KNOW.
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Rashaad Penny returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Juwan Washington ran another one back in the third quarter. Both were awesome.
In related news, Hillary Clinton racked up big wins in the swing states of New Hampshire and Nevada.
Was that too soon? That was probably too soon.
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In 1996, SDSU got ranked and then immediately lost to UNLV. The next time the Aztecs were ranked – this year after beating Northern Illinois – they lost to South Alabama coming out of a bye. Now, one week after getting that ranking back … yeah.
Maybe we just shouldn’t get ranked, ever. I’m starting to think that could be the problem. On that note, I’ve got some great news about the remainder of the 2016 season!
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I love the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl and if the San Diego State Aztecs were to be selected by this fine game, I would gladly purchase ALL MANNER of Royal Purple goods and services.
/googles what is a royal purple
KABEER THIRTY 