SCENE SETTER (entering 2019 season)
* San Diego State opens its 97th season, 51st at the Division I level and ninth under the direction of head coach Rocky Long on Saturday, Aug. 31 with a contest against Big Sky Conference opponent and 2018 NCAA FCS quarterfinalist Weber State. This game is the annual KGB SkyShow with a remarkable fireworks spectacular following the contest.
* The 2019 opener features two of the most successful programs in the country. The Wildcats own a 21-6 record (77.8 percent) over the past two seasons, tied for the sixth-highest winning percentage (among the 126 FCS schools) during that span. Meanwhile, the Aztecs are 39-15 (72.2 percent) over the last four seasons to tie for 11th place among the 130 FBS schools. SDSU's win percentage during that span is second among all Pacific Time Zone schools (Stanford, 40-14, 74.1 pct.).
* The Aztecs are coming off a 7-6 season in which they defeated two nationally-ranked teams and advanced to a school-record ninth consecutive bowl game.
* SDSU's active consecutive streak of nine straight bowl games is tied for the 12th-longest streak nationally. San Diego State joins Stanford as the only football teams in the state of California - college or pro - to play in the postseason each of the last nine years.
* San Diego State is one of 14 schools and one of two Group of 5 schools in the nation to play in a bowl game following the last nine seasons.
* SDSU returns 12 starters (7 offense (including quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end), 5 defense and 1 kicker).
* The Aztecs are 50-41-5 all-time in season openers, including an 42-16-4 mark in home contests. SDSU, which is 22-7 in season openers played at home in the Division I era, has won its last four season openers that have been played at SDCCU Stadium.
* Ten different Aztec players received preseason accolades, with six players (junior long snapper Turner Bernard, senior tight end Parker Houston, junior center Keith Ismael, senior linebacker Kyahva Tezino, junior Warrior (safety) Tariq Thompson and senior running back/KOR Juwan Washington) on watch lists for national honors and/or named first-team all conference.
* Head coach Rocky Long, the all-time winningest coach in Mountain West history, has guided San Diego State to a bowl game in each of his first eight seasons as head coach. He is one of six active coaches to lead their current team to a bowl game in each of the first eight seasons (others: Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Nick Saban (Alabama), David Shaw (Stanford) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson)).
SDSU Kicks off 2019 Season Saturday vs. Weber State
