SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State football team was back in shells on Thursday, a day after donning full pads for the first time of fall camp. The Aztecs went for roughly two hours at the on-campus facility, including parts on the grass and turf practice fields.
Under perfect San Diego weather with temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s, sun and blue skies, the Aztecs practiced for the first half on the turf with an emphasis on individual drills. In the second half of practice, SDSU moved to the grass field and worked some 1-on-1 drills, skelly, pass rush, play-out drives, team pass and team situations.
Thursday was the seventh of 20 practices scheduled this fall before game week begins on Aug. 25 for the Aug. 31 opener against Texas A&M - Commerce.
First-year assistant coach Rob Aurich is coaching the San Diego State defensive edges, a new position in the Aztecs’ new-look 4-2-5 defense, but not new in football.
“A couple of years back the NFL went to a model of labeling all outside linebackers as edges in the recruiting process and we’ve done the same thing here,” Aurich said. “We like to fancy ourselves as defensive ends with some linebacker skills, but our job is to rush the passer and protect the edge. You’ll see our guys running off the ball and playing with excellent physicality and making drops 10-to-15 times during the game.”
Aurich came to The Mesa in December after serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Idaho for two seasons. In 2023, Aurich helped guide the Vandals to a historic season that included the program’s first ever postseason win that led to their first FCS quarterfinals appearance since 1993, as well as their first nine-win season since 2016. Overall, Idaho finished their year with a 9-4 record and ranked as high as No. 4 in the national polls. Statistically, they ranked 15th in FCS in total defense (306.8) and lowered their points allowed per game for the second consecutive season under Aurich to 22.1 ppg.
“The edge room has really come along since our first day here,” Aurich added. “When we look at our guys, there are eight or nine in that group that can really go. (With) our up-tempo type of play, you have to have a deep well of pass rushers available.”
One of Aurich’s defensive edges who is expected to shine this season is sophomore Trey White. White moved to an edge position after playing linebacker last year, where he had 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception in 12 games (one start). White echoed Aurich’s description on what an edge does.
“The way I’d describe it is an outside linebacker,” White said. “I wouldn’t classify it as strictly a defensive end, because we’re dropping in coverage and doing a bunch of stunts, so we are pretty versatile, talented and athletic. The key is still to tackle, no matter what.”
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.