SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State football team wore full pads for the first time in fall camp Wednesday, practicing for two hours under sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s.
Utilizing both practices fields (grass and turf), the team played live football for the first time in camp roughly 20 minutes into practice. The Aztecs then went into special teams and individual drills before working on skelly and team situations. Practice ended with live football for third-down situations and play-out drives with some more special teams work sandwiched in between.
Wednesday was the sixth of 20 practices scheduled this fall before game week begins on Aug. 25 for the Aug. 31 opener against Texas A&M - Commerce.
“We just finished up day six, so we have a lot of room to improve,” San Diego State run-game coordinator and running backs coach Mike Schmidt said. “The guys have come out with the right attitude, which is going to give us a chance to develop the right way. Understanding exactly what we’re doing from an assignment and leverage standpoint will get them over the hump to how we’re suppose to do it, but our guys are coming along.”
Schmidt re-joined the Aztecs in January as SDSU’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach. Schmidt coached the San Diego State offensive line from 2012-20 after working as a graduate assistant at his alma mater from 2009-11. Schmidt then spent two seasons at Syracuse (2021-22) and last year at Mississippi State. His first stint with the Aztecs was a dominant one, helping SDSU establish itself as one of the top rushing programs in the country. With Schmidt on as a full-time staff member, San Diego State ranked 15th nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.0), 15th in rushing yardage per game (216.9), and tied for 21st in rushing touchdowns (201).
“I’m coaching the game just like I’ve always coached it,” Schmidt added. “I went to Syracuse and went right into this offense and applied the same fundamentals, and we led the ACC in rushing my first year. (The pace) doesn’t change the timing of everything.”
Two of Schmidt’s offensive linemen spoke to the media following Wednesday’s practice, including tackles Joseph Borjon and Christian Jones. Borjon helped Arizona to a 10-3 record last year, including a victory over No. 12 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Jones, meanwhile, started six games at left tackle for the Aztecs in 2023.
“It was a great decision coming to San Diego State,” Borjon said. “There were a couple of schools I was looking at, but San Diego State was the best one with the AztecFAST offense and Coach Lewis, and Coach Schmidt over here as the offensive line coach. There are so many things they bring to the table.”
Both Borjon and Jones know there will always be competition in all camp.
“It’s a competition when we go out there every day,” Borjon said. “I think I bring length, agility and athleticism (to the table), but we’re always competing.”
“It’s always competition and there’s no room for complacency,” Jones said. “I’ve never been one to have anything come to me. I’m just going to keep competing and working hard. I just have to keep going every play, every day.
Claim your free tickets to Saturday’s Fan Fest.
Tickets are on sale for all six Aztec home games, including season tickets, two or three-game mini-plans and single-game tickets.
The Aug. 31 opener against Texas A&M - Commerce is set for 5 p.m. PT.