Aztecs win the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl



BOISE, IDAHO (12/21/2013) In what might have been his last college football game, junior running back Adam Muema rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns to help the San Diego State Aztecs (8-5, 6-2 MWC) rout the Buffalo Bulls (8-5, 6-2 MAC) 49-24 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Bronco Stadium.

The win marked their first in the postseason since the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl.

While the Aztecs' offense struggled to score early in the game, the defense picked up the slack with three consecutive stops on third down.

The Aztecs finally got on the board with 0:21 left in the first quarter after a 29-yard scramble by junior quarterback Quinn Kaehler.

The defensive onslaught continued in the second quarter. A sack by senior linebacker Vaness Harris led to an Aztecs fumble recovery on the Buffalo 30-yard line. That set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Muema that gave the Aztecs a 14-0 lead.

The Bulls managed to answer back with 10 straight points, but more miscues and turnovers helped the Aztecs pull away with 28 straight points of their own.

After an 0-3 start, the Aztecs won eight of their last 10 games. The 25-point margin was the largest of the season.

"I thought that's the best we've played all year," said Rocky Long, who won his first bowl game as the Aztecs' head coach. "I thought the turnover battle would decide who won and that's exactly what happened."

"We just happened to be on the right side of that battle."

Impact Aztecs

Senior LB Scott Graves
Blocked two punts after being out for the season with a torn bicep tendon.

Junior RB Adam Muema
28 carries for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
Tied a team record for career 200-yard rushing games (4, Marshall Faulk).

Aztecs Defense
Didn't allow a first down until the 10:42 mark in the 2nd quarter.
Recorded four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.