Football

San Diego State-Arizona State Postgame Notes

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Sept. 15, 2007

Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery

TEMPE, Ariz. -

SDSU-ASU Postgame Notes in PDF Format | Final Stats in PDF Format
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Final Score: Arizona State 34, San Diego State 13
Record: 0-2
Next Game: vs. Portland State | KGB SkyShow | Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 | 3:30 p.m. PT | The Mtn. | AM-600 KOGO
Next Press Conference: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 | 11:30 a.m. PT lunch, media conference begins at noon PT

LOOKING AHEAD
San Diego State is one of the last remaining Division I-A/Bowl Subdivision teams not to play a home game this season. The Aztecs join Bowling Green, Houston and North Texas as teams that play their first home game on Sept. 18. The only team with a later home game is San Jose State, which opens the home portion of its campaign on Sept. 25.

RACKING UP THE YARDS IN THE HEAT
San Diego State amassed 323 yards of total offense against the Devils, easily the most ASU had allowed this season (previous high was 204 against Colorado). SDSU's total offense total is the most allowed by the Sun Devils in Tempe, since 12th-ranked Oregon had 574 yards of total offense last season.

Since the game against the Ducks, ASU had allowed the following total offense totals in home games: Stanford (145), Washington State (192), UCLA (274), San Jose State (115) and Colorado (204). Prior to tonight, the last five visitors to Sun Devil Stadium had averaged 186 yards of total offense.

NINE BEATS EIGHT 
San Diego State had nine players catch at least one pass in the game against the Sun Devils, one better than the eight players that caught a pass in the opening game at Washington State. The nine receivers are the most Aztecs to catch a pass in a game since SDSU had 10 players with a catch in its game at Air Force on Sept. 10, 2005.

OUR HALF IS BETTER THAN YOUR FULL At halftime of tonight's game, San Diego State had produced more total offense (224) than either of Arizona State's first two opponents (San Jose State and Colorado) amassed in the entire game. Also, the Aztecs rushing total of 112 yards at the half was greater than the entire game totals for the Spartans and Buffaloes, combined (72 yards).

HOT IN HERE
The temperature at kickoff was 92 degrees which ties for the sixth warmest recorded temperature for an Aztec game at kickoff. It is the warmest temperature for an Aztec game since SDSU experienced 97 degree heat when visiting Tempe on Sept. 8, 2001.

FOOLED YOU TWICE
San Diego State converted the second fake punt of the Chuck Long era on Saturday night when senior punter Michael Hughes rushed for five yards on a fourth down and three. The Aztecs are 1-for-1 this season and 2-for-3 in the Long era when attempting a fake on fourth down. San Diego State also converted a fake punt at Wisconsin last season.

BALL SECURITY
San Diego State had just one turnover against the Devils, an end-of-half Hail Mary that was picked off in the endzone. It marks the second straight game and the seventh time in the last nine games the Aztecs have had one turnover or less. The two turnovers through the first two games are the fewest for an Aztec squad since opening the 1999 season with a pair of turnover-free contests against South Florida and Illinois.

1,000 CLUB
The Aztecs had two senior wideouts within striking distance of the 1,000 career receiving yards mark entering tonight's game. Brett Swain eclipsed the mark on a catch in the final seconds of the first quarter, while Chaz Schilens fell just one yard short, ending the night with 999 career receiving yards on 74 career receptions.

48 AND OVER
Senior place-kicker Garrett Palmer logged his sixth and seventh career field goals of 48 or more yards in the first and third quarters. Palmer has made 13 career field goals for 40 or more yards and matched his career long with the 50-yarder in the third quarter.

TWO GAMES, TWO PICKS
Aztec cornerback Vonnie Holmes already has two interceptions in just two career games. He had one last week versus Washington State and added another tonight versus Arizona State. His two INTs account for both of SDSU's takeaways this season.

MORE PALMER PLAUDITS
Aztec place-kicker Garrett Palmer continued his streak of consecutive extra-point attempts made, hitting his 57th straight. The streak dates back to the Ohio State game in 2005.

THE STREAKS
Senior wideout Brett Swain logged a reception in his 16th straight game ... Swain has four or more catches in each of the team's two games this season and four or more in 11 of his last 14 outings ... Defensive end Nick Osborn recorded a tackle for the 28th consecutive contest.

O'CONNELL RECORD UPDATE
Aztec senior quarterback Kevin O'Connell became just the eighth player in school history to pass for 5,000 or more yards in his career. He also continued to move up the SDSU career record books in other categories, including completions (5th to 4th) and attempts (7th to 5th). O'Connell made his 23rd career start, tying Dan McGwire for fourth all-time.

AZTEC FIRSTS
Sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Soto logged his first career sack and tackle for loss in the second quarter ... Tight end Alston Umuolo made his first career catch in his first career game ... Another true freshman Vincent Brown also had his first career reception vs. ASU ... Redshirt freshman Davon Brown had his first career carry in his first career game.