Nov. 17, 2003
SAN DIEGO -
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The Finale
The San Diego State Aztecs close the 2003 season Saturday night when they host the Air Force Falcons at Qualcomm Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:07 p.m. The game marks the close of the regular season for both squads. San Diego State enters the game at 5-6 overall and 2-4 in the Mountain West. Air Force is 7-4 overall and 3-3 in the Mountain West.
Television Talk
The game against the Air Force Academy will be televised locally and in Colorado by SportsWest (Channel 4 San Diego). Calling the action will be San Diegans Eddie Doucette (play-by-play) and KNSD-TV sports director Jim Laslavic. The game will also be available via ESPN GamePlan.
So Long Seniors
The San Diego State football program will bid farewell to 20 seniors Saturday night. The senior class includes offensive lineman Brendan Darby, offensive lineman Zach Barnes, offensive lineman Shawn Dickie, tight end Jason Dion, offensive lineman Anthony Foli, quarterback Adam Hall, defensive end Ryan Iata, defensive back Shane Johnson, defensive back Phouthai Keoveunxay, tight end Mike Lynch, running back DeAngelo Nedd, linebacker Adam Nyssen, kicker J.C. Mejia, defensive lineman Brook Miller, receiver Jermaine Moore, defensive end Brandon Rager, defensive back LaVance Ray, punter Seth Santoro, defensive back Jeff Shoate, and offensive lineman Gerald Sykes.
Starting Seniority
San Diego State's starting 24 players (including kickers) features 10 seniors, including offensive linemen Shawn Dickie, Brendan Darby and Gerald Sykes. Another, senior, Anthony Foli, is a part-time starter up front. Receiver Jermaine Moore has become a starter due to Jeff Webb's injury. The defensive starters from the senior class include linmen Ryan Iata, Brook Miller, Brandon Rager, and cornerback Jeff Shoate.
Stable Seniors
Easily the most consistent member of the 2003 Aztec senior class is offensive tackle Brendan Darby. He has made 41 career starts, including 37 straight. Only 12 offensive linemen in the country have more career starts than Darby and only 12 have a longer streak of consecutive starts. Another steady member of the class is defensive back Jeff Shoate, who has 33 career starts under his belt, including 20 straight.
Special Night
Not only will the Air Force game be Senior Night, but it also marks the first home game for the Aztecs since San Diego County was ravaged by wildfires. SDSU has been in the process of distributing tickets to fire victims and firefighters. Other special events planned around the game include a visit by the Air Force Academy's "Wings of Blue" Parachute team. They should enter Qualcomm Stadium at approximately 5:40 p.m. The Academy's "Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps" will also perform at halftime, as will the Marching Aztecs.
Time Change
Due to Tuesday's basketball Tipoff Luncheon at the Town and Country Hotel, the weekly media luncheon with Tom Craft has been moved up 30 minutes. Craft will meet with the media at 11 a.m., followed by lunch. Players will be available at 11:30. The Tipoff Luncheon begins at noon.
The Drive For .500
A victory by the Aztecs over the Air Force Academy on Saturday night would clinch San Diego State's first .500 season since 1998 and mark a significant step for Tom Craft in his second year as the Aztec head coach. SDSU has had just three winning seasons since 1994 and won a total of six games in 2000 and 2001, the last two years before Craft's arrival.
The Drive For .500, Part II
A win over the Academy would also improve San Diego State to 7-7 in Mountain West play under Tom Craft. San Diego State was 5-9 in league play the two years before Craft's arrival and last year's 4-3 league mark is SDSU's best in conference play.
Home Turf
San Diego State defeated Wyoming, 25-20, in its last appearance at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs, however, have had trouble sustaining home-field advantage since the Mountain West was formed. In conference play, SDSU has won two straight conference home games (in the same season) just once. Last year, the Aztecs defeated Utah and UNLV at Qualcomm Stadium in consecutive appearances.
The Series
The San Diego State-Air Force rivalry only dates back to 1980, but it has been a hotly-contested series with some great finishes. The Falcons hold a 15-6 lead after 21 all-time meetings. Air Force has won four of the last five meetings overall and four of the last five meetings in San Diego. The Aztecs are 3-6 all-time against the Academy when playing in San Diego. San Diego State won last year's game in Colorado Springs, 38-34, thanks to a 21-point fourth quarter. SDSU has never beaten Air Force in consecutive seasons.
Number Crunching
In the history of the series between San Diego State and Air Force (21 games), 10 games have been decided by seven points or less. Eight of the last 10 meetings have been decided by seven points or less, including an overtime game in 1997. Over the last 11 games, the total points scored: Air Force 290, San Diego State 279.
Last Year In Colorado Springs
The Aztecs, in front of the ESPN2 cameras, got off the deck to score 21 fourth-quarter points in a dramatic 38-34 victory in Colorado Springs . With Adam Hall out with a concussion, Lon Sheriff directed SDSU to its highest-scoring quarter (21 points in the fourth period) in seven years. Both J.R. Tolver (13-126) and Kassim Osgood (12-123) had 100-yard receiving games. San Diego State scored on four of its last five possessions, the last coming with just 58 seconds left in the game. The Aztecs had 398 yards of total offense but gave up 538. The win was the first for San Diego State over Air Force since the Mountain West Conference was formed in time for the 1999 season.
Last Time In San Diego
San Diego State was a gracious host on Sept. 29, 2001, when the Air Force Academy last made a visit to Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs coughed up four turnovers and Air Force took advantage for a 45-21 victory. Air Force enjoyed just a slight advantage in total offense (427-403), but the Falcons scored on five possessions enveloping halftime. SDSU's Larry Ned rushed for 178 yards. Of the current skilled-position Aztecs, only Adam Hall saw signifcant playing time and he was just 2-of-7 passing for five yards. SDSU held a 14-7 lead before Air Force scored 35 straight points.
Familiar Faces
San Diego State's new athletic director, Mike Bohn, and new senior associate athletic director, Steve Becvar, are former athletic administrators at the Air Force Academy. Bohn is a graduate of Boulder High School and also worked at Colorado State.
Scouting Air Force
The Air Force Academy enters Saturday's game at 7-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Falcons will be looking to break a three-game losing streak in conference play, following losses at Colorado State, an overtime home loss to Utah and Saturday's 24-12 setback at New Mexico. Air Force began the season 5-0. The Falcons are third nationally in rushing offense, (288.73 ypg). The Falcons are also third nationally in net punting, averaging 42.54 yards per possession exchange.
Fielding The Position
One constant barometer for Aztec success this season is field position. In every win this season, San Diego State has enjoyed better average field position than the opponent. In every loss this season, the opponent has enjoyed better field position than the Aztecs. Colorado State had a 3.6-yard advantage in average starting field position.
The Bottom Line(s)
Through four-plus seasons, SDSU is 14-20 in the Mountain West. SDSU has at least one win over every league school and at least one loss to every league school excluding Wyoming. SDSU is 9-8 in conference road games and 5-12 in conference home games. San Diego State is 7-7 in its last 14 conference games. SDSU is 1-3 vs. Air Force in Mountain West play.
Colorado State Rewind
The Aztecs dropped a disheartening 21-6 decision at Colorado State on Saturday, ending SDSU's hopes for its first bowl appearance since 1998. SDSU outgained CSU (345-324) and held the Ram offense off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. SDSU trailed 7-3 at halftime with the lone CSU points coming off a Ben Stratton 35-yard interception return for a score and by a 7-6 count entering the fourth period. The Rams, who entered the game leading the league in total offense (459.8 yards per game) were limited to just 324 yards on Saturday with 109 yards of that coming on two fourth-quarter plays. SDSU got 105 rushing yards from Michael Franklin, subbing for the injured Lynell Hamilton. SDSU lost starting quarterback Adam Hall in the third period to a finger injury. As a result, SDSU was trying to pull out a road victory against the defending league champion without its starting quarterback, leading rusher and leading receiver (Jeff Webb).
Fresh Numbers
Lynell Hamilton's first season in the red and back was impressive. He still ranks 17th nationally with 108.7 yards rushing per game, tops among America's freshmen. He is the first Aztec freshman since Marshall Faulk to rush for 1,000 yards and his season total is the 11th best in SDSU history. Entering the 2003 season, only 58 freshmen in the history of NCAA Div. I-A had rushed for 1,000 yards. Hamilton ran for over 100 yards on four occasions and had 94 yards when injured at UNLV. He also had a pair of 200-yard rushing games (220 vs. Samford and 218 against Wyoming). His season ended with a broken ankle against the Rebels.
Hall's Marks
The finger injury Adam Hall suffered at Colorado State likely ended the career of the Austin, Texas, senior. His injury-plagued senior season will limit his climb on the career charts, but Hall still stacks up well among SDSU's all-time greats. He is seventh all-time at SDSU with 5,173 passing yards and seventh all-time with 5,017 yards of total offense. Hall ranks sixth all-time with 423 career completions. Hall and Dan McGwire are the only two Aztecs to record two 500-yard games during their careers.
Triple Threat-less
San Diego State's year of nagging injuries have caught up with the Aztecs. SDSU enters the Air Force game without its starting quarterback (Adam Hall lost to finger injury vs. CSU), and its leading rusher (Lynell Hamilton lost to broken ankle vs. UNLV). Leading receiver Jeff Webb (lost to shoulder injury due at UNLV) is doubtful. He missed the Colorado State game, and most of the UNLV contest.
Playing The Best
As the Aztecs head into the season finale, they can rest assured knowing that a .500 season, should they accomplish it, would be well-earned. The Aztecs have faced the nation's 35th toughest schedule. San Diego State's 2003 opponents have a combined record of 51-44 entering this weekend.
Most Improved...
San Diego State's defense is the nation's most improved when considering the jump in ratings. The Aztecs have improved 84 places from No. 95 to No. 11 in total defense. When it comes to yards allowed, SDSU's per game improvement of 120.76 yards is second only to Eastern Michigan's 122.65. EMU, however, is still allowing 397 yards per game. EMU was 117 in total defense last year and is 78th this season.
The Dark Side Defense
With one game remaining in the season, a sneak peak at the historical significance of The Dark Side is relevant. The squad is tops in the Mountain West and No. 11 nationally in total defense, allowing just 290.1 yards per game. Statistically, the 2003 defense is the best at San Diego State in a generation. The last Aztec team to allow less than 300 yards per game for a season came in 1976 (267 ypg).
2003 Significance
The Aztecs went seven quarters in Mountain West play (UNLV game plus three quarters at Colorado State) without allowing a touchdown, a first for SDSU since the Mountain West was formed. Six Aztec opponents have been held below 300 yards of total offense. Three opponents, including defending national champion Ohio State, have been held without an offensive touchdown. Eight of San Diego State's 11 opponents were held below their season average in total offense when they faced the Aztecs.
Firing Blanks
The Aztecs have recorded two shutouts in 2003 (34-0 over UTEP and 7-0 over UNLV). It marks the first time for Aztec an defense to record two shutouts in the same season since 1975 when SDSU blanked Oregon State (25-0) and Fresno State (29-0) in a pair of road shutouts. Across America in 2003, only Nebraska, Southern California, Florida State and Virginia have two shutouts this season.
Red Out
San Diego State's Red Zone defense is beginning to register some eye-popping numbers. The last nine times opponents have penetrated SDSU's Red Zone, they have come away with no touchdowns and just a total of 12 points. In the two road games at UNLV and Colorado State, the Red Zone was penetrated three times, resulting in zero points.
Chart Watching
San Diego State enters the Air Force game No. 11 nationally in total defense, allowing 290.1 yards per game. San Diego State is the highest rated non-BCS school in the country. San Diego State also ranks 10th nationally in pass defense (167.20 ypg), and 20th nationally in scoring defense (18.30 ppg).
Historically Speaking
The San Diego State defense has a chance to be one of the best in Aztec history. If San Diego State ends the season allowing its current 286.70 yards per game, it would be the best mark by Aztec defenders since the 1976 team allowed 267.3 yards per game. In fact, SDSU's 2003 "Dark Side" defense figures to be at least the second best defense, statistically speaking, since 1976. The '99 squad allowed 304 yards per game. The 2003 squad is the first to register two shutouts in a season since the 1975 squad. The Aztecs have allowed just fiverushing touchdowns this season.
Conference Talk
Entering the Air Force game, San Diego State's defense is dominating the Mountain West Conference at a record pace. The graphic illustrates SDSU's place on the league charts.
Welcome, Matt
San Diego State sophomore linebacker Matt McCoy will make it hard for the media and coaches to keep him off the all-conference team, along with running mate Kirk Morrison. He is now the Mountain West Conference's leading tackler following his 16-stop effort at Colorado State. McCoy averages 10.3 stops per game and is the only player in the league in double figures in tackles average. McCoy is also fifth in tackles for loss (1.05 per game), and sixth in fumbles caused (0.27). How rare are sophomore all-league linebackers, Morrison was one of just four who earned the honor last season nation wide. McCoy's 67 solo tackles represent the eighth best season mark in SDSU history.
Morrison's Resume
San Diego State linebacker Kirk Morrison continues to put up "All" numbers. Morrison who figures to earn all-league recognition for the third time in his career, is all over the conference stat sheet. He is fourth in the league in tackles (9.5 per game), first in tackles for loss (1.27 per game), sixth in fumbles caused (0.27) and ninth in recovered fumbles (0.18). Morrison's 271 career tackles rank 10th all-time San Diego State and his 30 tackles behind the line of scrimmage also rank 10th all-time on Montezuma Mesa.
The Aztec Family
San Diego State is continuing a long tradition this season; it is the tradition of the Aztec Family and the immediate family. Once more SDSU will have a handful of roster members that are connected to former Aztec football players. Safety Josh Dean is the son of former Aztec and Washington Redskin Vernon Dean. Safety Shane Russell is the brother of former Aztec safety and current Minnesota Viking Brian Russell. Safety Marcus Demps is the younger brother of former Aztec safety and current Baltimore Raven Will Demps. Receiver Devin Pitts is the younger brother of former Aztec and current Houston Texan Chester Pitts. Freshman receiver Brian Spinks and frosh running back Lynell Hamilton are cousins. In 1999, SDSU had two brothers start in the same game when Kabeer and Akbar Gbaja Biamila lined up in the defensive front against Kansas.
INT-eresting
After intercepting just one pass in five games, San Diego State's defense picked off six passes against Wyoming and UNLV. The six picks came from six different players with Kirk Morrison, Jacob Elimimian and Brandon Rager intercepting passes against Wyoming. Against UNLV, the pickoffs came from Josh Dean, Marviel Underwood and Jeff Shoate.