san diego state football

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
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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

 

Aztecs in the NFL: Week 7

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Miles Burris recorded his first-ever NFL sack on Sunday in the Raiders victory over the Jaguars

LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Oakland Raiders
In a battle of former San Diego State linebackers, Allen’s Jaguars fell to the Raiders and Miles Burris in overtime, 26-23. Allen had four tackles and one fumble recovery in the game.

LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Panthers were defeated by the Cowboys, 19-14, and Applewhite did not record any tackles. He appeared to tweak his hamstring on the first play of the second half as he limped off the field following the kickoff. He did not return to the game, and his status for next week is uncertain.

LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos, BYE

WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers, BYE

LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
In a big overtime victory over the Jaguars, Burris played one of his best games yet. He had 7 total tackles, and recorded the first sack of his NFL career when he took down Jaguars’ quarterback Chad Henne for a loss of 10 yards. Burris is becoming one of the most important players on the Raiders’ defense, as he was on the field for all 63 defensive snaps according to NFL blogger Steve Corkran.

OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers, BYE

LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Although the Seahawks lost to the 49ers last Thursday, Farwell continues to solidify himself as one of the top special teams tacklers in the league. He had one tackle in the game, and is tied for first in the NFL for special teams tackles with nine. Farwell led the league in special teams tackles in 2011.

RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos, BYE

QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings
With John Skelton starting at quarterback, the Cardinals were defeated by the Vikings, 21-14. Lindley is once again the backup, as Kevin Kolb is expected to miss several weeks after suffering an injury to his ribs and sternum.

OG Lance Louis – Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Louis and his fellow offensive lineman had their hands full Monday night with Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the Lions defensive line, but the Bears were able to come away with the win, 13-7. They improved their record to 5-1.

LB Kirk Morrison – Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans
In a back-and-forth game, the Bills fell to the Titans, 35-34. Morrison was inactive once again, and has yet to play in a game this season. There is still no clear reason as to why he is inactive.

WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
For the second consecutive game, Osgood recorded a tackle on special teams. The Lions struggled as a team, however, and could not find a way to get their offense going in the loss to the Bears.

WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
Schilens failed to record a catch for just the second time this season and the Jets were defeated by the Patriots in overtime, 29-26.

Did you miss the “Aztecs in the NFL: Week 6″ 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