WORKING ON A PERFECT MONTH
* San Diego State, owners of a FBS-high four road victories in 2019 and one of only 17 teams not to drop a road game this season, concludes a stretch of five out of seven games away from home with a Saturday night contest at UNLV.
* The Aztecs are one of 25 teams nationally with one or fewer losses (10 undefeated teams and 15 one-loss teams).
* SDSU, which is 30-1 the last 31 times it has owned a turnover margin advantage, is tied for second nationally in turnover margin at +1.57 per game (14 gained, 3 lost).
* San Diego State has not committed a turnover since the second quarter of the Sept. 21 game against Utah State. That means the Aztecs have played 14 straight quarters of turnover-free ball, a streak that covers 270 offensive snaps from scrimmage.
* The Aztecs are 6-1 after seven games for the fourth straight season. SDSU is one of just four schools nationally to win six of its first seven games in each of the last four seasons (Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and San Diego State).
* San Diego State carries a three-game winning streak into the contest. The Aztecs have a bye next week making this the final game of October for SDSU.
* The Aztecs and Rebels are meeting for the 29th time with San Diego State owning a 18-10 series advantage. SDSU had its four-game series win streak snapped last season when the Rebels defeated the Aztecs, 27-24, at SDCCU Stadium.
FROM THE FILM ROOM (through games of Oct. 19)
* Senior punter Brandon Heicklen became the first player since Dec. 20, 2012 to have three punts in one game downed at or inside the opponent 3-yard line. Heicklen's impact could be felt well beyond his 45.8 average and 44.2 net average. Following his five punts yesterday, the Spartans average field position was their own 11.8-yard line.
* Opponents continue to make the mistake of throwing at senior CB Luq Barcoo. Barcoo was targeted seven times this week and allowed just two receptions for 15 yards (only four yards allowed after the catch). Barcoo also recorded three pass deflections. Just 46.8 percent of Barcoo's targets this season have been caught. Barcoo has allowed no touchdowns and has five interceptions to go along with seven pass deflections. Barcoo is the top graded CB in the nation right now according to PFF.
* A staple for years, the San Diego State offense has been very good this year at grinding out long drives. The 20-play, 87-yard drive in the second quarter yesterday matched the most plays in one drive by a team in the FBS this year. For the season, SDSU has averaged 6.2 plays per drive, second most in the Mountain West and 16th nationally.
* Junior center Keith Ismael was the top graded offensive lineman on a unit that combined to allow no sacks, no quarterback hits and just three hurries on the day. Ismael allowed no pressures on 25 pass blocks and led the way on the ground with his run blocking. On rush attempts aimed to either side of the center, SDSU gained 72 yards on just 11 attempts (6.54 ypc). Pro Football Focus has Ismael as the top graded center in the MW and the third-highest rated center nationally. He has allowed no sacks, no QB hits and just four hurries this season on 244 pass blocks. Ismael's run block grade this season of 76.5 ranks fifth among centers in the FBS. In his last five games played, Ismael has allowed zero pressures on 166 pass blocks.
* Sophomore RB/KOR Kaegun Williams saw his first regular action of the season and was highly impactful both on offense and special teams. Williams took back the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown, SDSU's FBS-leading 11th kick return for a touchdown since the start of the 2015 season. On offense, Williams played 15 of his team's 78 offensive snaps. On eight rush attempts, Williams demonstrated how elusive he can be with the ball in his hands as he recorded four avoided tackles. On Saturday, 15 of Williams 26 rushing yards (57.6 percent) were earned after contact.
* Redshirt freshman DT Cameron Thomas continues to put together a special season. To date, Thomas owns the highest PFF rating among interior defenders in the Mountain West and is eighth nationally. Yesterday, he played 37 of his team's 54 defensive snaps (68.5 percent) and recorded one sack, three quarterback hits and one hurry on 25 pass rushes. His five pressures were tied for the most in the conference among interior defenders. Thomas recorded four tackles in the game (two stops) and no missed tackles. On the season, Thomas has a run stop rate of 10.2 percent which is tops in the MW at his position.