| Aztecs Drop Season Finale on Road vs. Defending National Champion BYU 36-22 |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 29 March 2010 21:00 |
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Provo, UT The Aztecs traveled to Provo, Utah, to finish out their regular season finale with a non-league game versus defending National Champions BYU. The Aztecs fell to BYU 36-22 after putting up a reasonable effort against the defending champs. The Aztecs finish the regular season at 8-2, going 8-0 against league opponents and dropping their only two losses to last years National finalists Cal and BYU. Played in beautiful weather on BYU’s beautiful South Field Stadium with a picturesque back drop, the Aztecs started the match strong, controlling much of the territory and playing most of the first 15 minutes in BYU’s end. However, continue mistakes by the Aztecs saw them fail to capitalize, and after a big break from BYU 8-man Ryan Roundy, BYU worked it’s way down into Aztec territory where All-American prop Mikey Su’a crashed over for a try in the 18th minute, 5-0 BYU. Much of the remainder of the first half was a sea-saw battle, but the momentum was tipping toward BYU, and after another strong run off the base of the scrum by Roundy, All-American back Dylan Lubbe made a break for a long range try, 12-0 BYU in the 25th minute. With 5 minutes remaining in the half, Roundy would collect his own try to bring the score to an ominous 17-0. However, the Aztecs first half efforts wouldn’t go completely unrewarded, as full back Alex Ross crossed in the 40th minute bringing the half time score to 17-5. The second half picked up where the first one ended with back and forth action. In the 49th minute, BYU built up pressure that was capitalized on by scrumhalf Sean Davies who crossed over and converted his own try to make the score 24-5. The Aztecs came fighting back and in the 52nd minute tight head prop Darrell Honaker scored to bring the game back to 24-10. Next was BYU’s turn, as a clever grubber kick behind the Aztec defense gave BYU a firm 29-10 lead with 18 minutes remaining. The Aztecs rallied from there, scoring two consecutive tries (one a penalty try for repeated BYU infringements near their own goal line, and another by prop Brendan Purcell). Center Duncan Kelm converted one and the game was a one score affair with 7 minutes to go, BYU 29, SDSU 22. A comeback wasn’t to be, as BYU would have the last say with a score in the 78th minute, bringing the final score to BYU 36, SDSU 22. While a loss was disappointing way to finish the season, the Aztecs will take many lessons from the game and move forward as SDSU Head Coach Matt Sherman notes, ‘BYU is a strong team, with good athletes, and exposed us to some new lessons today. We are a little disappointed in our own performance, which we feel could have been better for the progress we’ve made so far this season. Nonetheless, we will own our performance as who we are right now, and get busy getting better and fixing the problems and addressing the lessons we were taught today. This team has more in it, and we will get busy chasing down becoming the best we can become over the next 3 weeks.’ The Aztecs next match is in the USA Rugby Sweet 16 in 3 weeks, where the Aztecs take on 2009 Sweet 16 opponent Bowling Green. Bowling Green is coming off their second consecutive Mid West Conference Championship. SDSU vs. Bowling Green: Friday 4/16: 3:00 pm @ UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium *Win or lose the Aztec will play a second game on Saturday 4/17 in Santa Barbara at 1 pm or 3 pm. BYU 36, SDSU 22 Min 18: BYU Try Min 25: BYU Try and Conversion Min 37: BYU Try Min 40: Ross Try Half: BYU 17, SDSU 5 Min 49: BYU Try and Conversion Min 52: Honaker Try Min 58: BYU Try Min 64: SDSU Penalty Try, and D. Kelm Conversion Min 73: Purcell, B. Try Min 78: BYU Try and Conversion Final: BYU 36, SDSU 22 1 Brenden Purcell ; 2 James Deleo; 3 Darrell Honaker 4 Alex Main; 5 Tanner Kouba; 6 Dave Buboltz; 7 Mike Shea; 8 Derrick Broussard; 9 Jamie Purcell (Captain); 10 Ryan O’Connor; 11 Chris Bredeson; 12 Jamie Kelm; 13 Duncan Kelm; 14 Mike Hicks; 15 Alex Ross; 16 Morgan Gagel;17 Zach Shapiro; 18 Scott Brown; 19 Andrew Hinkel; 20 Tyler Khashagen; 21 Conner Reed; 22 Dale Turori; 23 Alex Colla |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 01 April 2010 17:35 |