SCENE SETTER (as of Sunday, Aug. 29)
* San Diego State enters its 99th season of football, 53rd at the Division I level and the second season of Brady Hoke's second stint as Aztec head coach on Saturday against New Mexico State at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
* The Aztecs played their four 2020 home games and will play their 2021 home contests (seven scheduled) at Dignity Health Sports Park while the University builds its future stadium in Mission Valley in the footprint of SDCCU Stadium. San Diego State will play its seven home games this season at DHSP, which is located 113 miles from the University's previous home stadium. SDSU will open its news stadium in Mission Valley on Sept. 3, 2022 against Arizona.
* San Diego State looks to extend the following win streaks on Saturday: 11-game non-conference home win streak (includes two victories against nationally-ranked opponents during that stretch; last loss Sept. 19, 2015), 8-game winning streak vs. New Mexico State (tied for the school's longest active win streak against an FBS opponent) and a 6-game win streak in home season openers.
* The Aztecs return 17 starters (19, if you include special teams) off the 2020 squad (8 offense, 9 defense and 2 special teams).
* San Diego State has posted a .500 or better overall record and a winning record in Mountain West action in each of the last 11 seasons.
* San Diego State finished the 2020 campaign with a 4-4 record and a 4-2 mark in the Mountain West. The Aztecs finished alone in fourth place among the 12-team, one-division format last season. SDSU owned a scoring margin of +79 in league play (+13.2 ppg).
* San Diego State has three players that appear on preseason lists for the player of the year - Greg Bell (Maxwell Award Watch List, college player of the year), Caden McDonald (Bednarik Award Watch List, defensive player of the year) and Cameron Thomas (Bednarik Award Watch List, defensive player of the year).
* Last season, SDSU had 15 players named to the all-Mountain West team, including five first-team honorees. Of those 15, 10 return for the 2021 campaign, including first-team honorees Thomas (DE) and McDonald (LB). San Diego State has five players on the defensive side of the ball that earned all-conference accolades last season.
* The Aztecs are 52-41-5 all-time in season openers, including a 44-16-4 record in home season opening games. SDSU, which is 24-7 in season openers played at home in the Division I era, has won its last six home season openers.
Football Set for Season Opener with New Mexico State
