Sept. 6, 2015
Past Michael Klitzing 2014-15 football features
2014
Aztecs make strong first impression (Aug. 30)
Pumphrey's dominance is no passing fancy (Sept. 27)
Injury bug can't keep these Aztecs off the field (Oct. 19)
Barrett's play helps SDSU keep goals within reach (Nov. 8)
Pumphrey has Aztec history within reach (Nov. 29)
Aztecs, Pumphrey unable to savor record season (Dec. 23)
2015
New Aztecs QB Smith grateful to feel those gameday jitters again (Sept. 3)
Better pass with caution against these Aztecs
By Michael Klitzing
@mikeklitzing
It's typically folly to draw grand conclusions from Week 1 of the college football season. Players are shaking off months' worth of rust, units have yet to achieve cohesion, and Football Championship Subdivision opponents often serve as an unreliable measuring stick at best. After San Diego State's season opening 37-3 win over the University of San Diego Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium, however, one conclusion is probably safe to draw.
Planning to throw on the Aztecs?
That might not go so well for you.
Heading into the season, everyone assumed pass defense would be the Aztecs' strong suit. That assumption ââ'¬" much to USD's dismay ââ'¬" appears to have been absolutely correct. SDSU picked off passes from three different Toreros, snagging five interceptions in all ââ'¬" the most by the Aztecs since 2001. By the final gun, SDSU had nearly as many interception return yards (79) as USD had receiving yards (109).
"They were having a real hard time running it and they had to throw and catch it better to make us back off, which they didn't," head coach Rocky Long said. "Every time they threw it, we intercepted it."
That's sure what it seemed like, anyway. And the five picks were the work of just two players, who both turned in performances un-duplicated in the Division I era of Aztec football.
Star linebacker Calvin Munson provided the big plays that bookended the rout. With the contest just 40 seconds old, the hard-hitting junior stepped in front of a Trey Wheeler toss and rumbled 19 yards for the opening score. In the fourth quarter, he a notched the game's final touchdown, getting his mitts around an Anthony Lawrence pass, and weaving 67 yards to pay dirt.
"He threw it right to me," Munson said of the second interception. "So I was surprised."
How's this for surprising: Not even legendary Aztec super-fan Tom Ables witnessed a two-interception day. According to the SDSU media guide, this was the first time in program history that an Aztec had two interceptions returned for a touchdown in the same game.
Junior cornerback Damontae Kazee provided the rest of the history, albeit harking back to a slightly more recent vintage. Three times Kazee was tested with a high-lofted deep ball. Three times he out-jumped the Toreros receiver. Three times he came away with the ball.
The trifecta of picks was something no Aztec had accomplished done since the Truman Administration; Ed Ricketts plucked three in 1951 against another crosstown rival ââ'¬" the U.S. Marines.
"(Kazee) has a knack for finding the ball in the air and twisting his body around to get his hands on it ââ'¬" and he's got pretty good hands," Long said. "I thought Calvin Munson did a nice job of being in the right place with a couple of interceptions. I thought the pass coverage was pretty good except for one drive."
As always, the usual disclaimers about FCS opponents apply.
More sophisticated and talented passing attacks await. In fact, one of the most high-powered passing offenses in the nation ââ'¬" quarterback Jared Goff and the Cal Bears, who just hung 73 points and 471 passing yards on Grambling ââ'¬" await next week in Berkeley.
What's more, SDSU may have to face them without sophomore warrior Trey Lomax, who injured his right leg in the second quarter against USD and did not return.
On Saturday night, with the fireworks still illuminating the night sky over Qualcomm, Kazee was already thinking about that next challenge. He mentioned the Cal game twice before even being asked about it.
"This was definitely a good statement for us to make," Kazee said. "But I'm sure Cal threw for, like, seven touchdowns this week.
"I'm over this game already."