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No surprise. SDSU licking their chops for PSU.
AZTECS FOOTBALL
Next foe presents a chance for sacks
Portland State has allowed 25
By Mick McGrane
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2007
Through its first two games of the season, San Diego State's football team has surrendered 79 points, ranks 118th in the nation in total defense and has allowed 669 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns.
So why would the winless Aztecs seem a bit giddy in advance of this week's home opener against pass-happy Portland State?
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If for no other reason than this: In Portland State's first three games, the Vikings have yielded a staggering 25 sacks for losses totaling 161 yards.
“We're trying not to think about that number too much,” said sophomore defensive tackle Jonathan Soto, who recorded SDSU's lone sack of the season last week in its 34-13 loss to Arizona State. “We know about the 25 sacks, but we've really got to focus on getting better ourselves and getting more pressure. If we can get more pressure, everything else on defense will take care of itself.”
Getting to the quarterback has proved a monumental task for the Aztecs, who tied for 106th in the nation in that category a year ago. The inability to apply consistent pressure has enabled opposing quarterbacks to have career days.
In its opener against Washington State two weeks ago, SDSU allowed Cougars quarterback Alex Brink to complete 38-of-47 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns. Last week, Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter missed on just six attempts, completing 15-of-21 throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Online: Surprising Air Force is the only undefeated football team in the Mountain West Conference. To read Mick McGrane's weekly MWC column, go to aztecs.uniontrib.com
This week, however, offers at least a glimmer of hope, with Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) Portland State having given up an eye-popping 10 sacks in last week's game against Sacramento State. Among Football Championship Subdivision schools, no other team has allowed more than 15. Winless Notre Dame (23) is the only other team in the nation to have surrendered more than 20.
Despite the 10 sacks, Portland State actually won that game against Sacramento State 35-24. The Vikings (1-2) lost their opener to McNeese State 35-12 and their second game to UC Davis 26-17.
The Aztecs can ill afford to throw caution to the wind with defensive packages designed to create an all-out assault on Vikings quarterback Brian White. In Portland State, SDSU will be facing a team that routinely utilizes a four-wide receiver set. Leaving receivers running free in order to rack up sacks might not be the best approach for a team that ranks 113th in the nation in pass defense.
“We're going to do what we do,” said SDSU defensive coordinator Bob Elliott. “You could take the approach that you're going to junk things up and do things that you normally wouldn't do just to get a win, but you also have to keep getting better at the things that you would usually do. Hopefully, we can accomplish both. But we're not going to change the way we play just because of their offense.”
Extra points
Coach Chuck Long said he expects senior tight end Steve Schmidt (hip pointer), senior wide receiver Chaz Schilens (bruised foot) and senior strong safety Ray Bass (turf toe) to be ready for Saturday's game. The Aztecs are one of just four Football Bowl Subdivision teams (formerly Division I-A) not to have played a home game this season. The contest will be followed by the annual KGB SkyShow.
SDSU, which has not lost a fumble or even put the ball on the ground through its first two games, is one of just eight teams in the country without a fumble. Senior tailback Brandon Bornes, who is averaging a Mountain West Conference-best 7.6 yards per carry, has not lost a fumble in his last 288 rushing attempts dating to the 2004 season.
Senior punter Michael Hughes has been named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List, an honor to be announced Dec. 6 to the person voted the nation's top punter.
AZTECS FOOTBALL
Next foe presents a chance for sacks
Portland State has allowed 25
By Mick McGrane
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2007
Through its first two games of the season, San Diego State's football team has surrendered 79 points, ranks 118th in the nation in total defense and has allowed 669 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns.
So why would the winless Aztecs seem a bit giddy in advance of this week's home opener against pass-happy Portland State?
Advertisement
If for no other reason than this: In Portland State's first three games, the Vikings have yielded a staggering 25 sacks for losses totaling 161 yards.
“We're trying not to think about that number too much,” said sophomore defensive tackle Jonathan Soto, who recorded SDSU's lone sack of the season last week in its 34-13 loss to Arizona State. “We know about the 25 sacks, but we've really got to focus on getting better ourselves and getting more pressure. If we can get more pressure, everything else on defense will take care of itself.”
Getting to the quarterback has proved a monumental task for the Aztecs, who tied for 106th in the nation in that category a year ago. The inability to apply consistent pressure has enabled opposing quarterbacks to have career days.
In its opener against Washington State two weeks ago, SDSU allowed Cougars quarterback Alex Brink to complete 38-of-47 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns. Last week, Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter missed on just six attempts, completing 15-of-21 throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Online: Surprising Air Force is the only undefeated football team in the Mountain West Conference. To read Mick McGrane's weekly MWC column, go to aztecs.uniontrib.com
This week, however, offers at least a glimmer of hope, with Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) Portland State having given up an eye-popping 10 sacks in last week's game against Sacramento State. Among Football Championship Subdivision schools, no other team has allowed more than 15. Winless Notre Dame (23) is the only other team in the nation to have surrendered more than 20.
Despite the 10 sacks, Portland State actually won that game against Sacramento State 35-24. The Vikings (1-2) lost their opener to McNeese State 35-12 and their second game to UC Davis 26-17.
The Aztecs can ill afford to throw caution to the wind with defensive packages designed to create an all-out assault on Vikings quarterback Brian White. In Portland State, SDSU will be facing a team that routinely utilizes a four-wide receiver set. Leaving receivers running free in order to rack up sacks might not be the best approach for a team that ranks 113th in the nation in pass defense.
“We're going to do what we do,” said SDSU defensive coordinator Bob Elliott. “You could take the approach that you're going to junk things up and do things that you normally wouldn't do just to get a win, but you also have to keep getting better at the things that you would usually do. Hopefully, we can accomplish both. But we're not going to change the way we play just because of their offense.”
Extra points
Coach Chuck Long said he expects senior tight end Steve Schmidt (hip pointer), senior wide receiver Chaz Schilens (bruised foot) and senior strong safety Ray Bass (turf toe) to be ready for Saturday's game. The Aztecs are one of just four Football Bowl Subdivision teams (formerly Division I-A) not to have played a home game this season. The contest will be followed by the annual KGB SkyShow.
SDSU, which has not lost a fumble or even put the ball on the ground through its first two games, is one of just eight teams in the country without a fumble. Senior tailback Brandon Bornes, who is averaging a Mountain West Conference-best 7.6 yards per carry, has not lost a fumble in his last 288 rushing attempts dating to the 2004 season.
Senior punter Michael Hughes has been named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List, an honor to be announced Dec. 6 to the person voted the nation's top punter.
