Past 2025 Fall Camp Recaps
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
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State football team practiced in full pads for the first time of fall camp on Tuesday morning.
After a special teams meeting and position meetings, the Aztecs did a walk-thru before senior Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli pumped the team up for team flex (stretching). SDSU then went for just under two hours at the on-campus facility under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s with a light breeze, with 80s music playing in the background. San Diego State practiced for the first half on the turf field and the second half on the grass field.
The Aztecs started out with special teams individual drills and position drills before participating in The Old Oil Can competition for the first time of fall camp. In the team compete session, the offense came out on top for the first time, earning popsicles after practice. After some scouts and more special teams, SDSU worked on individual drills. On the grass field, San Diego State worked on inside runs and 1-on-1s followed by gold zone work (25 and in). Following more special teams, the Aztecs ended with tempo skelly and team play-it (play out drives).
One of the most experienced group for SDSU is the safeties. San Diego State returns all three starting safeties in its 4-2-5 defense, including honorable mention all-Mountain West performer Eric Butler (49 tackles (34 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF), Dalesean Staley (61 tackles (37 solo), 1 FR) and Deshawn McCuin (28 tackles (19 solo), 2 TFL, 1 SCK, 5 PBU). All three returners are seniors. The Aztecs also add hard-hitting Josiah Cox (New Mexico State) and Dwayne McDougle (Idaho), and welcome back talented youngsters Jelani McLaughlin and Prince Williams.
Second-year safeties coach C.J. McGorisk is eager to get the season underway with SDSU struggling down the stretch last year.
“We do have a veteran room and I’m extremely excited for the guys that returned, and then I’m excited for the guys that stepped into this thing,” said McGorisk. “I think everybody will tell you, last year wasn't what we wanted. There were some building blocks. There's some good, a lot of bad, but things to clean up. So, the standard is to just continue to play better in the back end. We didn't take the ball away nearly enough (last year). We’ve got guys back there to make plays playing off the quarterback. We're doing a little bit of vision stuff where we can really break on the ball and let them go do their thing.”
McGorisk pointed out Butler’s athleticism.
“I think his athletic ability (shines), you saw it last year,” said McGorisk. “There's a reason that he was honorable mention all-conference. I couldn't be more excited that he's back. Southern California kids stay in here, I consider the IE (Inland Empire) home for San Diego. We dip in there. There's a lot of talent. He's long, he's rangy, and then he's aggressive. He's not afraid. Sometimes you get guys that aren't going to run the alley, (but) he'll run the alley.”
Butler came back to win at Mountain West championship and to show that San Diego State have some of the best secondaries in the country.
“(The) whole DB room is experienced, we have tons of experience,” said Butler. “Our expectation is to be the best in the ‘D’ and one of the best secondaries in the nation. We have to keep playing aggressive. You just have to trust your eyes, be good with your eyes.”
Butler had other options but decided to stay at San Diego State for his senior season.
“I stayed because of my guys that I have here and the secondary that we have coming back,” said Butler. “We said, we’ll come back and we're going to make this team, make this program better than where we left it. That was huge for me, and not only our secondary, but our whole team, our whole defense all coming back.
“I told my family the situation and why I wanted to stay (at San Diego State). The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I know I have a good thing here. I have a great relationship with (Coach Lewis), (safeties coach) C.J. (McGorisk) and (defensive coordinator Rob) Aurich.”
Cox adds depth to the safeties after playing the 2023 season at Arizona State (three tackles in 10 games) and last year at New Mexico State (35 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 interceptions).
“He brings a great energy to the team and I'm sure that’s what people have echoed,” said McGorisk. “When he steps on the field, you know he's there. He's going to go run, he's going to hunt, he's going to fit his gap, and he will put his body on people. He's not afraid. He just brings this fire, passion and energy. He’s a kid who loves football and you love to be around that. And he just elevates that physicality. Kind of has that look in his eye when you know he's ready to go.”
Cox, who attended Lincoln High School, is happy to be back in San Diego representing his city.
“Obviously, this is home and I don't plan on going anywhere else,” said Cox. “Coach Lewis is building something special here. It's a special place. We're all here buying in. And obviously this is a place I want to be. It's just been amazing being here, being back home to play with the guys and play for the guys.”
Cox also realizes that he is coming into a position that has a lot of depth, but that doesn’t change his mindset.
“I'm also a team guy,” Cox explained. “I love playing special teams. Looking to run down on kickoffs and a lot on special teams. And obviously, play and be a leader and a guy that the guys could count on. Obviously, I didn't come here just to sit behind people. I wanted to come here and play with the guys, and help the guys win and win with them. I'm not really focused on the starting spot, but I am focused on us winning the Mountain West Championship. Whatever I have to do to help the team do that.”
The seventh of 24 fall practices before the opener against Stony Brook on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Snapdragon Stadium is set for Wednesday morning.
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.