Brown's 'big-time play' helps Aztecs win

By: Tom Shanahan - For the North County Times | Saturday, November 3, 2007 11:29 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State's 6-foot-6 senior quarterback, greeted true freshman wide receiver Vincent Brown with his arm around him and a tap on the head in the interview room.

The 6-foot Brown stood a head shorter, but O'Connell said Brown was the big man on their game-winning touchdown pass hookup in the Aztecs' 27-24 comeback victory Saturday night at Qualcomm Sadium.

With San Diego State facing third-and-13 in the final two minutes, O'Connell broke off a scramble to the left before he saw Brown come open in the back left corner of the end zone. O'Connell set himself and hit Brown with a 27-yard touchdown pass with 1:06 left in the game for a 27-24 lead that stood up.

"Coach talked all week about opportunity and being ready to make a big play," Brown said. "I just ran my route and tried to make the play for my team."

Actually, he did more than run his route. The play started with Brown, with the stride of a gazelle, running a post pattern. But when O'Connell couldn't find an open receiver, Brown turned for the left corner of the end zone.

"I just turned and tried to get up field," Brown said.

With a step on the defender, he made an over-the-shoulder catch of O'Connell's well-placed toss.

"Vincent was the third or fourth option on that play," O'Connell said. "We were just trying to get a first down. I went through the first couple of reads and then things started to collapse. I definitely stayed in there too long, but the O-line held up."

O'Connell said he planned to run for a first down around the left end before he spotted Brown.

"I had to find the laces again, because I was fumbling the ball around in my hand," O'Connell said. "It was a heck of a play by him to be a freshman and make a big-time play like that."

Brown, who broke into the starting lineup after senior Chaz Schilens suffered a foot injury at Arizona State, caught four passes for 52 yards.

Brown also had a 6-yard catch that contributed to San Diego State's first touchdown drive late in the second quarter. In the third quarter, his 11-yard reception on third-and-8 helped keep alive the Aztecs' third touchdown drive of the game.

San Diego State head coach Chuck Long called Brown's adjustment "a scramble play."

"Once Kevin stepped up in the pocket and Vincent made a nice adjustment on the route," Long said. "Vincent got to the corner and gave Kevin a chance. We work scramble drills; it's part of the game. I always tell them it's perfectly legal, so get ready to do it."