Aug. 19, 2005
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State football team kicked-off its Friday morning with a two-hour half pads workout at the on-campus practice facility. The Aztecs' afternoon session was canceled, giving the team time off to prepare for Saturday's Family Day scrimmage at Qualcomm Stadium, which is slated for 2 p.m.
Quoting Aztec Head Coach Tom Craft:
On the quarterback situation
"We'll decide on Saturday after the scrimmage. (Kevin O'Connell and Darren Mougey) will probably get 50 percent of the work and we'll look at group three, too."
On Saturday's scrimmage
"We'll have to be careful - we are a little heavy-legged. We pushed them really hard this week. We still have a lot of competition at many positions. We've made some decisions, but we're looking at more, especially the special teams positions. It's a scrimmage, though, and there are going to be situations where we put the ball down and just try to run the ball to get a first down. It's not necessarily to look pretty, but to see what we can accomplish in a game situation. It won't look like a game all the time."
Aztec redshirt freshman quarterback Darren Mougey
On Saturday's upcoming scrimmage
"I'm going to prepare like this is a game. I'll go out there and be competitive and just do the best I can. I just want to go out there and perform, and do the stuff I've been doing (in practice.) I'm looking forward to it. Every single day I learn something new and get more and more comfortable out there."
On last Monday's scrimmage
"I wasn't too pleased with myself, but I went in and watched some video. I felt like I learned some stuff from the film and had a good week of practice. I've gotten a lot better and so has the team. I just want to be more consistent with my throwing and technique."
Aztec sophomore quarterback Kevin O'Connell
On Saturday's scrimmage
"We're coming out here every day and just trying to smooth things out. We did a lot of good things on (Monday's scrimmage) and we're just going to try and build on that."
On the competition for the starting quarterback position
"I definitely think it is still an open competition. I think it will come down to Saturday and maybe the next scrimmage. I'm excited. Any time you go out there and compete, especially at Qualcomm (Stadium), it's going to be fun. Darren and myself are both leaders. We've put in the time this summer and last season. We kind of view ourselves as two leaders on this team and I don't think that will change when coach names the starter. The experience (from last season) helps, but whether you are successful or not is what matters. I've tried to have fun with the (competition). This is a position where everyone is looking (at you). We touch the ball every play and we're the focal point. That's why few people choose to play it, you either like (the competition) or you don't."
Upcoming Practice Schedule
The Aztec football team will head over to Qualcomm Stadium just before noon in preparation for the 2 p.m. intrasquad scrimmage. Following the scrimmage, the team will stick around for the annual kick-off dinner. The Aztecs return to campus Saturday evening and will cap the week with a single half pads workout beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Saturday, Aug. 20 - scrimmage at 2 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium (Family Day)
Sunday, Aug. 21 - single practice at 4 p.m. (half pads)
Monday, Aug. 22 - two-a-day practice at 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.