Ken Ables
Contributing Writer
Washington State comes to town Saturday to face the Aztecs for just the third time ever. The series is even at 1-1, with the Cougars winning a neutral site game in Seattle back in 2007, and the Aztecs 42-21 victors in 2011.
Saturday’s game is the first in a renewed home-and-home series that concludes in Pullman next year. After that, the Aztecs and Cougars will meet annually as members of the PAC-12 beginning with the 2026 season.
The last SDSU-WSU game played was on a mid-September Saturday afternoon 13 years ago, and was not just another Aztec football game.
It confirmed that the 2010 Aztecs’ 9-4 record and first bowl win in 41 years was not a one-off, but the start of 13 consecutive seasons of bowl eligibility, and the most consistent success since Don Coryell and Claude Gilbert led the Aztecs in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
A regular-season record crowd of 56,286 filled Qualcomm Stadium that day to witness the first Aztec victory over a PAC-12 teams in 19 tries. Washington State led 24-21 after three quarters, but the Aztecs shut out the Cougars 21-0 in the fourth for Rocky Long’s third win as Aztec head coach. It was the Aztecs’ first 3-0 start in 30 seasons.
Three players on offense stood out that day: QB Ryan Lindley completed 21 of 37 passes for 227 yards and 2 TDs and surpassed 10,000 career passing yards. RB Ronnie Hillman rushed for 191 yards and 4 TDs. TE Gavin Escobar caught 4 passes for 58 yards and 2 TDs.
Saturday’s game is Homecoming. Ryan Lindley, now the Aztecs offensive analyst, will be there, as will other 2011 Aztecs.
But Ronnie Hillman and Gavin Escobar will not. Sadly, both Aztec greats passed away in 2022. Both were only 31. Gone way too soon.
Ronnie was a class of 2020 inductee into the Aztec Hall of Fame. He rushed for 1,532 yards in 2010 as a true freshman and 1,711 as a sophomore. Because he was not enrolled in the fall of 2009, he was able to declare for the NFL draft after his sophomore season.
His average of 1,621.5 rushing yards per season is the highest of any Aztec running back. Ronnie was born on September 14, 1991, the same day Marshall Faulk rushed for 386 yards vs. Pacific. He was destined to be a great Aztec running back.
He played for five seasons in the NFL with Denver, Minnesota and San Diego, rushing for 1,976 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns.
His performance on that day against the Cougars was something Aztec legends are made of. But for Ronnie, it was simply par for the course.
His impeccable speed and toughness took over the day, as his four touchdowns electrified the Qualcomm stadium fans all game long—and when the team needed to put the Cougars away.
Gavin Escobar played three years for the Aztecs from 2010-12. He caught 122 passes for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns. His two touchdowns against Washington State on this day were instrumental in showing scouts he was indeed the real deal for playing on the next stage.
Gavin was perhaps the best tight end Aztecs Nation has seen since. A rare mix of toughness, athleticism, wide receiver hands, and the ability to make defenders miss after the catch made him a matchup nightmare for opponents. Just a true pleasure to watch in his years as an Aztec.
His NFL career was entirely with the Dallas Cowboys, where he caught 30 passes for 333 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Homecoming is a special week for every University in America. It’s a time to reflect on all the cherished memories of time well spent on your campus, with life-long friends made a long the way. Though this posting only reflects on the accomplishments made on the gridiron, for these special Aztecs for Life, we know there is so much more their legacy stands for than just football.
That time of Aztecs football back in the 2010’s was as Rocky Long would say, something special. The thrill of watching those teams persevere, and rise up to the level of great Aztecs teams of the past was something that grabbed this city’s attention. And at least for a little while, we got to see a few of the finest talents ever to put on the red & black striped jerseys.
So as you enjoy renewing old acquaintances at Homecoming this weekend, raise a glass to Ronnie and Gavin and remember that game in 2011 where they scored every Aztec touchdown before a packed house.
Go Aztecs!
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