Before a Senior Night crowd of 32,892, the Warriors (10-3) completed their first 10-victory regular season since 1992 and finally stood up to an old tormentor.

The Aztecs had won the nine previous meetings between the teams, a rivalry that was put on hiatus when San Diego State seceded from the Western Athletic Conference to help form the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 1999.

But tonight, against an Aztec team that rolled up more than 600 yards in offense and seizing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Warriors fought back.

The Warriors closed to 40-35 when Thero Mitchell, one of 19 seniors honored tonight, scored on a 2-yard with 10:57 to play.

The Aztecs' ensuing possession ended with a teeth-loosening sack by linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was raised in San Diego. The Aztecs punted but UH's Chad Owens could not make an over-the-shoulder catch. He inadvertently booted the ball at the 29, and the Warriors finally recovered at their 8.

Tim Chang completed two 13-yard passes, advancing the ball to the 36. From there, Ilaoa took the handoff on a counter play, hit the gap on the left side and sprinted 42 yards to the SDSU 22.

Four plays later, from the 2, Ilaoa found the end zone on another counter run.

The Warriors will play Tulane in the inaugural ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day. The Aztecs' season ends with a 4-9 record, their fourth consecutive losing year since seceding from the WAC.