Aztec Bowl 2004

Team USA has won eight of the previous nine Aztec Bowls, including 53-15 in 2005.

The Aztec Bowl
The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico’s college football season. The game has been played 35 times since 1947 with the last nine contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. The United States is 8-1 in the series. Mexico’s lone victory came in 2003 in Cancun.

United States Vs Mexico
In their first nine Aztec Bowl meetings, the United States NCAA Division III All-Stars defeated Mexico last year, 53-15 in Toluca and 23-3 in Cancun (2004). Before losing to Mexico 34-31 in Cancun in 2003, the U.S. had run off six straight wins, including 15-9 in Torreon (2002); 37-5 in Saltillo; 27-26 in Merida (2000), 44-13 in Mexico City (1999), 40-13 in Monterrey (1998), and 42-41 in Toluca (1997).

Chitwood Sports Media's Involvement:
The Aztec Bowl is part of the AFCA's involvement with Football Federation USA. FFUSA was organized in 1998 for the purpose of uniting the amateur football athletes around the world through education, special events and travel.

Chitwood Sports Media, which broadcasts athletics for East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX and three other American Southwest Conference-member schools, produced the first-ever Internet broadcast of the Aztec Bowl in Saltillo (2001) and has been on the scene ever since. Charlie Chitwood, namesake of the Jefferson (TX)-based outfit was awarded the ASC's inaugural "Outstanding Media Service" award in 2003 and is a member of the American Sportscasters' Association.

The U.S. squad is made up entirely of NCAA-III talent from 48 schools.

The showcase event has sent a number of players to the pro ranks.

Aztec Bowl Alumni:
The Aztec Bowl has been a stepping stone into the professional ranks for a number of U.S. players, two of whom - London Fletcher and Clint Kriewaldt, are currently playing in the National Football League. Fletcher, who played collegiately at John Carroll and was a member of the 1997 U.S. team, is a starting linebacker with the Buffalo Bills. Kriewaldt was the Detroit Lions’ 1999 fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and played in the 1998 Aztec Bowl. He is currently a member of the Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Buena Vista alum Carlos Martinez (MVP of 2001 game in Saltillo) kicked for the Dallas Desperados of the AFL and is currently on the practice squad of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.