Dec. 18, 2015
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State football head coach Rocky Long has announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent in the early signing period for the 2016 season in Jondarius Gardner and Derrick Achayo.
In two seasons at Mesa Community College in Phoenix, Gardner, a defensive lineman, made 52 tackles, including 27 on his own, in 19 games played. This season, the native of Pensacola, Fla., recorded 19 tackles, 13 solo, and had two tackles for loss. Mesa Community College finished the season 3-7 with a 2-6 mark coming in Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) play. The Thunderbirds' defense finished second in the conference with 84.4 tackles per game, 15 fumble recoveries and 32 sacks. The team's 844 total tackles also ranked 16th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Following his second season at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif., Achayo, an offensive lineman, earned All-California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and All-Nor-Cal League honors. Sierra went 6-5 last season with a 3-2 record in conference play, as Achayo anchored an offensive line that averaged a league-best 370.2 passing yards per game. The native of Kenya, who graduated from Oakmont High in Roseville, Calif., has also excelled in the classroom, graduating from the junior college in three semesters.
San Diego State (10-3) plays Cincinnati (7-5) on Dec. 24 in the Hawai'i Bowl. The Aztecs have won their last nine games, the third-longest active streak in the nation. SDSU finished a perfect 8-0 record in the Mountain West regular season and defeated Air Force, 27-24, on Dec. 5 in the 2015 Sports Authority MW Championship for the school's 20th conference title. San Diego State is one of just 25 schools to advance to six straight bowl games and one of just three "Group of 5" programs.
Tickets for the Hawai'i Bowl are on sale now and available for $45 with no limit on the amount of tickets allowed to be purchased. Season-ticket holders will be given priority seat placement (by points). Additionally, a special ticket and tailgate combo is available for $70. Fans also have the opportunity to sponsor a spirit squad member, a member of the military or a youth for $45.
Tickets are available through GoAztecs.com, Qualcomm Window E or by calling (619) 283-7378.