Aug. 21, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State head coach Tom Craft named sophomore quarterback Kevin O'Connell the starter for the Aztecs' season opener against UCLA on Sept. 3 at Qualcomm Stadium. Craft made the announcement following a two-hour practice at the SDSU practice field on Sunday.
O'Connell played in nine games last season and started the final five contests of the year. He passed for 1,328 yards and nine touchdowns and was SDSU's third-leading rusher with 347 yards. He became just the third quarterback in school history to rush for more than 100 yards in a game when he tallied 101 yards on 15 carries at Brigham Young. O'Connell was the starter when SDSU ended the 2004 campaign with victories at Air Force (37-31) and vs. UNLV (21-3).
San Diego State is scheduled for a pair of practices on Monday. The first session of two-a-days will begin with a full-pad workout at 8:40 a.m. The Aztecs will workout in half pads tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH Tom Craft
On the quarterback situation:
"We have a really healthy situation at quarterback. Matt Dluglocecki is our number three guy and has been a starter off and on for a year-and-a-half. To have a guy like him available is a tremendous asset. Darren Mougey had a great spring and has been really good here in the fall along with Kevin O'Connell. I think based on the fact that they are really close, O'Connell because of his five games of experience is the guy who is getting the nod.
"I think both of them have big ceilings because they are young football players. They give us a dimension athletically that we are looking for in the passing game. I really look at this as a positive. I am glad that it was so tight and that it is close. Kevin (O'Connell) is going to be our starter to open the season and I expect Darren (Mougey) to play a little bit every game."
On the quarterback position overall:
"I think we have that position as strong as it could be right now with those three that are available for us. Even Kevin Craft has performed very well for us in a limited capacity. We like our quarterbacks a lot."
QUOTES FROM SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Kevin O'Connell
On his reaction to the decision:
"I am just excited. This is what I hoped for and worked for all summer. We have three quality quarterbacks on our roster and a young guy in Kevin (Craft) who has a really bright future we are excited about the position. We know whatever happens that we have depth."
On being a leader:
"It helps to know that you are the guy. The position is one where there is a lot of pressure on you and your teammates look to you to keep your cool. If I am looked upon as a leader I am going to thrive on it."
On the team:
"I am excited to get the chance to go after the game plan in the next couple of weeks and get started. We have tons of talent and experience on offense and as you saw (yesterday in the Family Day scrimmage) we have a fast defense that is going to fly around and make plays."
QUOTES FROM FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK Darren Mougey
On the decision:
"I am somewhat relieved that we have a decision and that we can move on and get better. We are in a fortunate situation. We have three great quarterbacks that are ready to play, can step in at any time and help this team win games. Whenever my number is called I will be ready to make the most of my opportunities."
UPCOMING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Monday - 8:40 a.m. - Practice No. 18 (full pads) and 4 p.m. - Practice No. 19 (half pads)
Tuesday - 8:40 a.m. - Practice No. 20 (half pads)
Wednesday - 10:15 a.m. - Practice No. 21/Scrimmage No. 3