Aug. 20, 2011
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SAN DIEGO -
The defense combined to hold the offense to just three scores all evening in the San Diego State football team's Family Day scrimmage Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs' first and only chance to practice on the field prior to next month's season-opener lasted just under two hours and was the team's 12th day of 2011 fall camp.
"I thought the energy was pretty good," SDSU head coach Rocky Long said. "The first-team offense and first-team defense looked like they were running around pretty well and there were some pretty good collisions. I thought the more we put the young guys in there the softer it got, but you kind of expect that."
Offensively, the team rushed for 195 yards on 53 carries and the four Aztec quarterbacks combined for 275 yards through the air. Redshirt freshman Adam Muema (Covina, Calif.) had 15 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown, while another freshman, Dwayne Garrett (Scottsdale, Ariz.), had 13 carries for 75 yards and also added a receiving score. SDSU starting signalcaller Ryan Lindley (Alpine, Calif.) completed six of his 17 pass attempts for 117 yards and sophomore tight end Gavin Escobar (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) was one of 12 players to catch a pass, grabbing three for 63 yards.
The offense started the game well, utilizing a penalty to move down the field and set up a 50-yard field goal try by senior Abelardo Perez (Tijuana, Mexico). Perez's kick had the length, but was no good as it hit off the right upright.
The defense then forced the offense to punt on four of its next five drives with the other one coming to an end on downs. The Aztecs finally got on the scoreboard on Perez's 36-yard field goal in the second quarter, which was set up by a 39-yard pass play from Lindley to Escobar.
The offense's longest possession of the evening came in the third quarter with sophomore Jake Bernards (Valencia, Calif.) under center. Bernards engineered a 92-yard scoring drive, utilizing a successful conversion on 4th-and-1, and several strong runs from redshirt freshman Muema. Muema's eight-yard run took the team to the 1-yard line and then he punched it in a play later for the first touchdown.
The lone scoring play of the fourth quarter came after the defense forced three straight punts. Starting near midfield, the offense got two quick first downs and scored on a 32-yard screen pass from redshirt freshman Adam Dingwell (Rockwall, Texas) to Garrett.
Junior linebacker Rob Andrews led the defense with nine tackles, including seven solo efforts. Redshirt freshman Jake Fely (Oceanside, Calif.) added six tackles with 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage and a team-best 1.5 sacks. Senior Romeo Horn (Fresno, Calif.) got the defense's only turnover on the game's final play, intercepting a Dingwell pass that was deflected off freshman wideout Paul Pitts (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).
San Diego State has one more week of fall camp before game-week preparations for the 2011 opener and Rocky Long's Aztec coaching debut, Saturday, Sept. 3, against Cal Poly. That contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m. PT and will be televised live on The Mtn. from Qualcomm Stadium.
Season tickets, which have already surpassed totals from the past three seasons, remain on sale and start at just $66. Single-game tickets are also on sale and start at $11, except for the contest against Boise State. Tickets for the game against the Broncos start at $15.
Tickets can be purchased online through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting the Aztec Ticket Office at Qualcomm Stadium's Window "E." The ticket office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.