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Aztec Stat of the Week: Tight End Records

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 7 Comments

Tight end Gavin Escobar hauls in a pass in the 2012 season (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, junior tight end Gavin Escobar is a nightmare to opposing defenses. With a rare blend of size and athleticism, Escobar has an incredible ability to get himself open. Too big for defensive backs and too quick for linebackers, he is nearly impossible to cover.

But is Escobar the greatest tight end to ever play at San Diego State?

A look at the all-time record books shows that, according to the stats, someone else might have the edge.

There are two categories in the record books that are specific to tight ends: Most receptions and most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season. Escobar is second in both categories, with 51 catches and 780 yards in 2011.

So who sits ahead on Escobar on both lists?

Tim Delaney

According to the “Records” section in the 2012 SDSU football media guide, Tim Delaney holds both records for most receptions and most receiving yards in a season by a tight end. He had 62 catches for 794 yards in 1970.

In his three-year career, Delaney had 180 receptions for 2,535 yards and 22 touchdowns, all top-10 marks in the SDSU record books.

But after digging even deeper into the archives, it can be found that Delaney was 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, far from the size of a prototypical tight end.

“He was more of a slot receiver for us,” said Brian Sipe, SDSU’s starting quarterback in 1970. “He never really put his hand in the ground like a tight end.”

If Tim Delaney is eliminated from the tight end rankings, who else is there?

Kerry Reed-Martin and Rob Awalt

Listed at third on both lists is former tight end Kerry Reed-Martin, who had 49 receptions for 719 yards in 1987. Former tight end Rob Awalt sits at fourth on both lists, as he caught 45 passes for 541 yards the season prior in 1986.

But neither Reed-Martin nor Awalt had the consistency of Escobar.

Reed-Martin’s next best season was in 1988, when he had 34 receptions for 276 yards and one touchdown. He also saw action in 1986, but played a limited role as the backup to Awalt.

Awalt, who went on to have a successful seven-year NFL career, played just two seasons at SDSU. He had 15 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns in his first season in 1985.

Don Warren

Although his collegiate stats are tough to track down, former Aztec tight end Don Warren had arguably the best professional career. In 14 seasons with the Washington Redskins, Warren amassed 193 catches, 2,536 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Warren helped the Redskins win three Super Bowls (1982, 1987, 1991), and is tied for the most Super Bowl victories by a former Aztec.

He was also an exceptional blocker, as he was a part of the group of players nicknamed “The Hogs” along with the Redskins’ offensive lineman. These players were known for their tough and gritty play in the trenches, and were an integral part of the Redskins’ success in the 1980s and 1990s.

The best ever?

In his career thus far, Escobar has 110 receptions for 1,528 yards and 16 touchdowns. There are not specific categories in the SDSU record books that show career leaders in receptions and yards by a tight end, but it’s safe to say that no one has outdone Escobar.

Awalt was impressive in the NFL, with career totals of 138 catches, 1,583 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, but his production at SDSU was less than that of Escobar’s.

Warren had the best NFL career, winning three Super Bowls and trumping Awalt’s total receptions and receiving yards, but he also did not put up the numbers in college that Escobar has accumulated.

So Aztec fans, what do you think? Is Gavin Escobar the greatest tight end to ever play at San Diego State?

Since his football career is still very young, the better question may be, will Escobar be the greatest when it’s all said and done?

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Did you miss last week’s “Stat of the Week” post about overtime games? Check it out here!

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztecs in the NFL: Week 8

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

Former Aztec and current Denver Bronco running back Ronnie Hillman carries the ball vs. the Saints on Sunday. Hillman had an impressive performance, rushing for 86 yards on 14 carries. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Green Bay Packers
In their first game since losing star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars fell to the Packers, 24-15. Allen had a strong outing with seven total tackles and a pass deflection, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Packers, who won their third straight game.

LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers vs. Chicaco Bears
Applewhite was inactive in Week 8 after injuring his leg the week prior. The Panthers suffered a tough loss, 23-22, after a last-second field goal by the Bears. Applewhite’s status for next week is uncertain.

LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints
In the Sunday night game, the Broncos dominated the Saints, 34-14. Brewer snapped the ball well on punts and field goals, and even recorded his first tackle of the season while covering a punt.

WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns
In a low-scoring defensive battle, the Chargers lost to the Browns, 7-6. Brown remains out with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason, and his recovery has taken longer than expected. According to an article by CBS Sports, Brown is likely to sit out another month.

LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
In an AFC West matchup, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs on Sunday, 26-16. Burris had another solid outing, as he recorded seven tackles, good for second-most on the team.

OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns
Dombrowski remains out with a foot injury, and his return this season is unlikely. It was recently reported by CBS Sports that he is recovering from a cyst on his foot, and his chances of playing this season are slim.

LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions
The Seahawks were beat by the Lions on Sunday, 28-24. For just the second time this season, Farwell failed to record a tackle in the game.

RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints
In front of a national audience in the Sunday night NFL game, Hillman had his best game yet as a Bronco. He had 14 carries for 86 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per rush. Hillman showcased his speed and ability to get to the edge even at the professional level, and proved that he can contribute as a rookie.

QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Cardinals had their hands full on Monday, facing one of the most physical defenses in the league. They were held to just a field goal as quarterback John Skelton struggled to get in a rhythm against the division-rival 49ers, and lost 24-3. Lindley remains the backup, and with Skelton getting pressured and sacked often, it is very possible Lindley will see some action this season.

OG Lance Louis – Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers
The Bears improved to 6-1 after beating the Panthers on a game-winning field goal, and Louis continued to play well at right guard.

LB Kirk Morrison – Buffalo Bills, BYE

WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Lions won in dramatic fashion on Sunday, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds left to beat the Seahawks, 28-24. Osgood played well on special teams, recording two tackles in the game.

WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins
The Jets struggled on Sunday, falling to the Dolphins, 30-9. Schilens had four catches for 29 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, the lone touchdown for the Jets. It was his first touchdown of the season, and the eighth of his career.

Did you miss the “Aztecs in the NFL: Week 7″ post? Check it out here!

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztec Stat of the Week: Overtime Games

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

SDSU celebrates after its thrilling overtime victory over Nevada (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Over the years, overtime games have been a rarity for San Diego State football.

According to GoAztecs.com, SDSU had only played in four overtime games before entering Saturday night’s contest vs. Nevada. That statistic changed Saturday, however, as the Aztecs defeated Nevada in overtime, 39-38.

With the thrilling overtime victory, the Aztecs improved to 4-1 all-time in overtime games. Following the game, one question likely popped up in the heads of many SDSU fans: When was the last overtime game for SDSU?

Last overtime game

On October 24, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium, SDSU defeated Utah 21-20 in overtime.

Behind quarterback Brian Russell and running back Larry Ned, the Aztecs won their fourth straight game to improve to 4-3 on the season. Utah scored first in the extra period, but missed the extra point, opening the door for SDSU. The Aztecs then scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Damon Gourdine, and converted the extra point to win the game.

SDSU went on to play in the Las Vegas Bowl that season, but fell to North Carolina, 20-13.

Brian Russell (left) and Larry Ned (right) helped the Aztecs beat Utah in overtime in the 1998 season

 

Did you miss last week’s “Stat of the Week” post about interceptions? Check it out here!

 

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS