SDSU Logs Another Fall Camp Practice

Past 2025 Fall Camp Recaps/Press Conferences/Radio Interviews
Coach Lewis Radio Interview - July 26
Coach Lewis Press Conference - July 28
Practice No. 1 - July 30
Practice No. 2 - July 31
Practice No. 3 - Aug. 1
Coach Lewis Post-Practice - Aug. 4
Practice No. 5 - Aug. 4
Practice No. 6 - Aug. 5
Practice No. 7 - Aug. 6
Practice No. 8 - Aug. 7
Coach Lewis Post-Practice - Aug. 11

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State football team continued fall camp on Monday with a spirited, physical practice that went for just over two hours on Monday morning at the on-campus facility.

Practicing in shells under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s with a nice breeze, Coach Sean Lewis was happy with where the team is at 11 practices into a 24-practice camp.

“It's good day right in the middle of quarter three of camp,” said Lewis. “This is always the week where you really get to figure out who we're becoming. The boys attacked it the right way. We've gone full shells, and we'll have another day of shells tomorrow. So really, it’s stacking some good competitive days, and the guys are responding the right way. Are we really pleased with where we're at? There's still a ton to clean up with the mindset and the effort. The attitude that these guys have been providing each and every single day has been really good the past week.”

Following breakfast, a spot walk-thru, special teams and position meetings, the Aztecs practiced for the first half on the turf field. Included in the drills were special teams individual work, pops, win, team compete (won by the offense, which received popsicles), special teams and individual drills. SDSU then moved to the grass field for the second half and did off the ball, 1-on-1s, team execution, punt work, third down skelly and team tempo, including the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 1 defense and the No. 2 offense vs. the No. 2 defense.

Lewis was quick to point out what the addition of run game coordinator and offensive line coach Mike Schmidt has brought to the offense, now in his second season back at SDSU after stints at Syracuse and Mississippi State.

“The work that Coach Schmidt has done, along with our recruiting staff and the support of the community, and we have the resources that are needed to go get the big bodies that are at a premium,” added Lewis. “The good Lord only made so many people that are big, fast and strong with the size of the talent that we've accumulated. And then there's just the raw numbers that, as we stood here a year ago, there were only nine scholarship guys. We have 15 scholarship guys (now). So, as these guys are walking by I feel a heck of a lot more comfortable. That's a whole hell of a lot of mass that's going to kick some ass this year. I'm pretty fired up about that.”

Schmidt spent 2009-20 at San Diego State with the first three as a graduate assistant and the last nine as the team’s offensive line coach. The Aztecs won three Mountain West championships behind his offensive line, including 2012, 2015 and 2016.

“When you're recruiting a young man, there's a lot of personality traits that you're looking for,” said Schmidt. “Like, is the guy going to work for you? Because coming here playing big-time Division I football is going to be a grind. You’ve got to be able to go in, day in and day out. And it's such a process to become a good offensive lineman. From a personality side, it's the work ethic (and) the mental toughness. Are they going to be able to stick it out day in and day out? Because it ain't a lot of fun coming out here banging on bodies each and every day, and you’ve got to really have that passion for it number one. And then when you're talking about the physical side of things, it's very simple. I look at the frame of the kid, the feet, the flexibility and the way he finishes on tape. That's how I kind of organize it in my head. Then if those guys kind of meet those criteria, we give them a shot out here. Hopefully you guys have seen the change in body types we have out here. Obviously, we still have got a long way to go, but (we are) turning in the right direction for sure.”

The Aztecs return three starters who started in the opener last year, including Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, Christian Jones and Joe Borjon. Jones has played in all 37 games over the last three seasons with 18 starts to his credit and his looking forward to his last year on The Mesa.

“I would say it feels different for me, because it's my fifth and final year,” said Jones. “But as a team, I feel as though there's just something about (this team) ever since winter. I don't even know how to really explain it, but you just kind of feel it a little bit. Guys are hanging out together. Both sidelines are connecting. A lot more dudes doing things outside of football, just actually having an actual brotherhood and connection, which is cool. I think that's a huge advantage we're going to have coming into this year compared to last year.

“Everyone has been super bought in on the (offensive line). We've just been a lot more connected back to the communication piece, knowing our combos, dudes aren't falling off the blocks. It's been showing up in practice. It's been really good. It's been really promising. We've been popping a lot of explosive (plays) out. Running the ball this year is definitely going to be a strong suit of ours.”

One of the newcomers who has played well in camp and figures to be in the mix for one of the starting spots is Bayo Kannike. Kannike appeared in 35 games at Utah Tech from 2021-24, including 30 starts on the offensive line. He has played both guard and tackle positions in his career.

“Experience for sure,” is what Kannike said he brings to SDSU. “I can play anywhere on the line, left side, right side. I’ve got two and a half years of college starts.”

Kannike is getting used to the way Schmidt coaches after four years at Utah Tech.

“The (offensive) line room is pretty much similar in every o-line room, but it's just every o-line coach has their certain terms and the terms are a little difficult getting used to,” said Kannike. “…I'm slowly learning Coach Schmidt’s terms. He always says ‘speak the same language.’ His main thing is with the footwork (and) it's always about the same language.”

The 12th of 24 fall practices is set for Tuesday morning before the opener against Stony Brook on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Snapdragon Stadium at 7 p.m. PT.

San Diego State also has home games vs. California (Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. PT), Colorado State (Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. PT), Wyoming (Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. PT), Boise State (Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. PT) and San Jose State (Nov. 22, time TBA).

Fan Fest Information
The San Diego State football team will host its annual Fan Fest on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Snapdragon Stadium.

Admission to the Aug. 14 Fan Fest is free, but all fans will need to claim their ticket in advance at https://am.ticketmaster.com/sdsu/buy/AztecFanFest. Fans may claim up to four tickets. If you need additional tickets, please call the Aztec Ticket Office at (619) 283-SDSU (7378). Parking is $10 and can also be purchased at the same link.

The parking lot opens at 5 p.m. PT with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.

The team store and select concessions will also be open.

Ticket Information
Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2025 campaign start at just $200 ($175 plus $25 Aztec Club Membership), only $33.33 per game. Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets with benefits featuring interest-free payment plans, pre-sale access for most third-party events, and discounts on merchandise at the team store, additional single-game tickets and food/beverage. Additionally, season-ticket members will have the ability to purchase discounted season parking, access to a personal account representative and the ability to transfer and resell tickets digitally.

To purchase, or renew, your season tickets, visit goaztecs.com/sports/football-tickets.

Mini Plans
For the first time, fans can now build their own three-game mini-plan completely online. Fans can choose from any of SDSU’s six home games and save on single-game fees. Fans can also leverage their three-game mini-plans into becoming a season-ticket member. For example, purchasing an Orange Mini-Plan puts you just $39 away from becoming a season-ticket member. Contact the SDSU Athletics Ticket Sales Office at (619) 594-9834 to discuss other ways to save money while enjoying San Diego State football.

Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets can be also purchased Monday for as low as $23, which includes all fees.