Ken Ables
Contributing Writer
It all started more than 100 years ago: a 12-2 San Diego State win over Fresno State in 1923. That Aztecs team was led by Quarterback John Hancock and future basketball coach and Aztec Hall of Famer Morris Gross.
That game was a first of many Aztec victories in the series SDSU leads 32-27-4.
Out of the 63 games played since then, my Dad and/or I were on hand for 52 of them. Of course, he went to far more than me: 48 for him, 29 for me, 25 of them together.
At least one of us was at 24 games played up north, in Ratcliffe and Bulldog Stadiums. And we both developed a strong dislike for everything Fresno. Some memorable Aztec-Bulldog games…
1962: Aztecs 29, Bulldogs 26 – Fog Game I
One of my earliest Aztec memories. Aztec Hall of Fame RB Kern Carson broke the Aztec single-game rushing record with 236 yards and scored on TD runs of 28, 48 and 88 yards.
As the game went on, a thick fog rolled into Aztec Bowl, making the game nearly impossible to see. With the win, the Aztecs clinched their first conference championship in 11 years.
1966: Aztecs 34, Bulldogs 13 – Fog Game II
One of 11 wins in the Aztecs’ first undefeated, untied National Championship season. Another Aztec-Bulldog game shrouded in fog. This game even thicker than four years prior. Al Couppee, who broadcast Aztec games on the radio, was on the field behind the offense trying to call the game.
The teams played every year from 1945 to 1979. Even after the Aztecs moved to the WAC in 1978, they played for two years. And then not again until the Bulldogs joined the WAC in 1992.
1992: Aztecs 41, Bulldogs 45
I try to forget losses, but not this one. This is a game that the refs completely lost control of at the end of the first half. Aztec QB David Lowery took a knee to end the half. A Bulldog lineman hit him with a cheap shot after the whistle.
No flag. Benches emptied. Helmets were swung. A totally ugly scene that could have been prevented with a penalty flag. Those Aztecs teams of the early 90’s were known for picking a fight or two, but most time fighting to defend their fellow Son of Montezuma to stand up and fight.
1996: Aztecs 31, Bulldogs 21
Fresno had a lot of success under Jim Sweeney. He was retiring after the 1996 season. His final game? Versus the Aztecs in Jack Murphy Stadium. Coming into the game, Sweeney had a record of 144-73-3 record as Bulldog head coach, and his players wanted to send their old coach out a winner. The Aztecs had other ideas. Aztec RB Jonas Lewis rushed for 253 yards and 2 TDs.
The teams met every year from 1992 to 1998, when the Aztecs left the WAC to help found the Mountain West. They played two non-conference games – in 2002 and 2011 – until the Bulldogs joined the MW in 2012.
2011: Aztecs 35, Bulldogs 28
The first Old Oil Can game was played at the end of the season after both teams had completed conference play. It had all the makings of an end-of-season non-conference series, like you find in the South. Fresno built a 21-0 lead, but the Aztecs outscored the Bulldogs 35-7 for a 35-28 win.
It was also the final game for Bulldog head coach Pat Hill. His career ended the same way as his old mentor Jim Sweeney: with a loss to the Aztecs. The non-conference aspect was short-lived; the Bulldogs joined the MW in 2012.
2019: Aztecs 17, Bulldogs 7
The final MW game played at Qualcomm Stadium. Aztec QB Ryan Agnew was 33-47 for 323 yards; RB Chase Jasmin scored two TDs; Matt Araiza kicked a 22-yard FG. Aztec Safety Tariq Thompson had a key fourth down stop.
2023: Aztecs 33, Bulldogs 18
Brady Hoke’s final game as Aztec head coach the second time around. Detect a theme for final games? Yes! The Aztecs win a coach’s final game.
The Bulldogs first trip to Snapdragon Stadium was supposed to be an easy win. Fresno came south with an 8-3 record; the Aztecs were 3-8. Down 7-6 in the second quarter, Aztec QB Jalen Mayden shocked the Bulldogs with 70-yard TD run to take a 13-7 lead.
The Aztecs never relinquished the lead and sent Brady out a winner. The Old Oil Can stayed in San Diego, where it has resided ever since.
2025: Aztecs 23, Bulldogs 0
The MW never missed an opportunity to do the wrong thing. For some reason, the Aztecs and Bulldogs were not scheduled to meet in 2024. Why? Who knows.
Just one of many reasons I’m glad we’re no longer in that conference.
Aztec Coach Sean Lewis called on his Midwestern roots and referred to the Bulldogs only as “The Team Up North.” The “F-word” was never to be used. He did a great job instilling the importance of the rivalry to the Aztecs.
TTUN? Not so much.
The Bulldogs didn’t know what hit them on that October afternoon in Fresno last year. Three Gabe Plascencia FGs and a Lucky Sutton TD run gave the Aztecs a 16-0 fourth quarter lead. Tano Letuli’s 31-yard fourth quarter pick six iced the game, and the Old Oil Can returned to San Diego.
How will the first Aztec-Bulldog PAC-12 game turn out? Will the Old Oil Can stay in San Diego another year? We’ll find out on Saturday for Homecoming. I’ll be there. See you at Snapdragon.
CBS Sports Network will carry this PAC-12 After Dark Kickoff between the Aztecs and Bulldogs, with kickoff set for 7:30pm Pacific standard time.
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