Through the midway point of Sean Lewis’ first year at SDSU, the Aztecs held a 3-3 overall and  2-0 conference record. 

This year, the Aztecs are 5-1 with an identical 2-0 conference record through six games. 

The box scores paint a vastly different picture between last year’s and this year’s teams. The win margin for the first two conference games in 2024 was six. The win margin in 2025 was 55.

Across the board, including the “eye test,” the Aztecs have demonstrated they are a formidable conference contender with the likes of Boise State and UNLV this season. 

The focus for head coach Sean Lewis and the rest of the coaching staff this time around is not to duplicate last year’s winless second half of the season. 

The overall record of the Aztecs’ first six opponents is 14-22 (13-17 not counting the outcome against SDSU).

The overall record of the Aztecs’ final six opponents is 22-16. 

When the schedule gets tougher, the true resolve and greatness of a team reveal themselves. Lewis expects his team to persevere through it. 

“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Lewis said on Monday about the second half schedule. “Everything that we have done up to this point has now prepared us for climbing the top half of the mountain, if you will. We got to use this week to do great work and prep our gear and get ready to do this final ascension … we got to be at our best, and we got to have a desire to get better for each and every single opportunity that we do have.”  

SDSU is one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the Mountain West. By the time they take the field against Fresno State on October 25th, they will be one of two. UNLV and Boise State, the other two unbeatens, square off this Saturday. 

A win at rival Fresno State (2-1) to retain the Old Oil Can Trophy would position the Aztecs in a great position to head into a home matchup with Boise State on November 15th at potentially 5-0 in conference play. 

The Aztecs do not play the Rebels in their final year in the Mountain West. The top two teams in the conference will play in the Championship Game. 

A lot of what if’s, but for now, the Aztecs are focused on their bye week and about improving themselves individually and collectively before preparing for the Bulldogs. 

“A great first half of the season, obviously sitting in an advantageous spot,” added Lewis. “The guys have done great work with that, and realize, as we refocus here, that there’s still so much more to go ahead. The most important thing is this week, Aztecs competing against the Aztecs to improve as much as we possibly can as we continue this climb, as we go forward.”

Defensive Midseason Rankings

After two subpar years on defense, San Diego State is back near the top of the FBS rankings defensively. They rank in the top 19 in FBS in seven major defensive categories:

6th – Pass Efficiency Defense (101.88)

6th (tied) – Scoring Defense (12.17)

8th – Third Down Conversion Defense (25.8%)

10th – Total Defense (259.7)

11th (tied) – Red Zone Defense (71.4%)

18th – Rushing Defense (95.7)

19th – Passing Defense (164.0)

In four of their five wins, the Aztecs’ defense has allowed a combined 13 points, including two shutouts. 

When asked on Monday why his defense has been so good, Lewis credited really good players who love to play together. 

“They feed off one another,” he added. “They can sense when they have an opponent down or when they’re in an advantageous position. Each guy has done a great job, humbly yet, in a starving manner, gone and embraced their role and tried to maximize their role.” 

With captain LB Tano Letuli missing a majority of four games due to injury, LB Owen Chambliss has taken over the defense, leading the team with 52 tackles, 20 more than the next highest teammate. 

Chambliss also has five TFLs, two sacks, and three pass breakups, showing off a versatile skill set that was hindered last year due to several injuries.  

“Being healthy has allowed him to work on his craft,” explained Lewis about Chambliss. “Winter conditioning, you saw the way that he was attacking workouts, and his intentionality. Working on his overall athleticism, and he’s a really athletic kid to begin with, but he’s increased some mass, which has helped his lateral quickness and his ability to change direction. He’s got great length, and he’s been disruptive in coverage because of that. He’s done a really nice job learning where he fits within the call. He can play with great confidence and execute his role, and be really productive and really disruptive.”

Trey White, the Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, leads the team with four sacks and nine quarterback hurries, to go with 27 tackles (t-4th on the team). 

But the defensive player getting the most acclaim nationally has been CB Chris Johnson. Returning two interceptions for a score, including a 99-yarder against California, has helped. But his overall dominant play, essentially shutting down a side through the air, has boosted the defense’s ability at all levels. Johnson leads the team with three interceptions and six pass breakups, is tied for first with one forced fumble, and second on the team with 32 tackles. 

Johnson is climbing NFL Draft Boards across the country and is currently projected as high as a 2nd Round pick in the 2026 draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Johnson as his 10th-best CB. When targeted this season, Johnson’s 15.0 passer rating allowed is second best among CBs in FBS play behind Oregon’s Brandon Finney Jr. 

Protecting the Football

The offense is doing its part with its last two performances against Colorado State and Nevada, although they have more work to do to catch up to where the defense is. 

The biggest strength of the offense, halfway through the season, has been its ability to protect the football. Jayden Denegal’s two interceptions at Northern Illinois are the only two turnovers the offense has committed through six games. .

Only Temple and UConn have committed fewer turnovers than the Aztecs this year (1), and only ten teams have thrown fewer than two interceptions. 

The Aztecs have fumbled twice this season, but recovered the ball both times. 

Not giving the ball away and possessing a record-setting field goal kicker in Gabriel Plascencia is a large reason why the Aztecs are one of only six teams remaining in FBS to score on every red zone opportunity this season. 

Jordan Napier Award Watch

WR Jordan Napier was added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List earlier this week, which recognizes the top receiver in FBS. Napier, fresh off a 5-rec, 110-yd performance against Nevada, leads the Aztecs with 37 receptions and 553 receiving yards this season. Napier is 8th in FBS in receiving yards and 2nd in the Mountain West behind San Jose State’s Danny Scudero, who leads FBS with 845.

Napier’s punt return prowess boosts his stock for the award, as the sophomore is 10th in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (130) and one of only 28 players to return a punt for a touchdown. 

Napier is the first Aztec to make the Biletnikoff Award Watch List since Ezell Ruffin in 2014 and sixth overall. Only J.R. Tolver (2002) and Vincent Brown (2009) were semifinalists for the award. This year’s semifinalists will be announced on November 17. 

Napier was previously named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List in preseason which is awarded to the most versatile player in college football.  

Andre Haghverdian

Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.