Sept. 29, 2010
SAN DIEGO - The fast start by the 2010-11 San Diego State football team has caught the eye of ESPN.com, as college football writer Andrea Adelson has for the second consecutive week given an Aztec player a "non-automatic qualifier helmet sticker" recognizing their stellar game-day performance. Senior wideout Vincent Brown received the honor earlier this week for his 177-yard, two-touchdown receiving performance against Utah State, just seven days after freshman Ronnie Hillman was recognized for rushing for 228 yards and two touchdowns on the road against No. 25 Missouri.
Adelson also placed the Aztecs in her "non-automatic qualifier" top-10 power rankings list for the first time this season. San Diego State comes in at the No. 9 spot this week as one of four Mountain West Conference teams to make the cut. The list also features four teams that are currently ranked among the top 25 in the country.
The Aztecs have come out of the gates strong in the first month of the season, outscoring opponents 153-55 en route to a 3-1 record, which matches their best start in 29 years. SDSU is among the nation's leaders in many statistical categories, including ranking seventh in the country in total offense and 12th in scoring defense.
Brown's 332 receiving yards this season ranks as the 24th-best individual total in the nation, while Hillman is third in rushing with 532 yards and eight touchdowns.
San Diego State is hoping that this early season success will culminate in the school's first bowl appearance in 12 years. ESPN.com believes that the Aztecs will make the leap, as both Adelson and fellow college football writer, Mark Schlabach, have projected SDSU as a postseason participant in the site's week four bowl projections. Schlabach has the Red and Black slated to play Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Independence Bowl, while Adelson has projected the Aztecs to take on Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, which would be played within the friendly confines of Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego State will use its bye week to prepare for its 2010 conference opener on the road against BYU on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. PT in Provo, Utah. The Aztecs are looking to take down the Cougars for the first time since the 2005 campaign.
SDSU returns to Qualcomm Stadium on Oct. 16, for its MWC home-opener against Air Force. Fans can purchase single-game tickets, or take advantage of the recently announced "Final Four Mini-Plan", which includes tickets to each of the last four home games of the 2010 season. Each $44 plan includes tickets in Plaza Level section 29 or 30, and represents a $20 savings from regular-season prices. For more information visit GoAztecs.com.