In his opening press conference as the 19th head coach of SDSU Football, Sean Lewis mentioned the Air Coryell days, “I’m looking forward to bringing that excitement, that brand of football where were lighting up the scoreboard.” Going into the 2024 season, that energy and promise from a new head coach is refreshing to Aztec fans.

The Red and Black enter the 2024 season with a 580-445-32 all-time record. Last season was not what the team had hoped for, going 4-8 overall and only winning two conference games against Hawaii and Fresno State. The nail in the coffin of the 2023 season came as the team failed to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2009 after a 22-19 loss to Colorado State.

Today, the Mountain West released its schedule for the upcoming year. In 2024, the conference will feature each program playing seven league opponents and either Oregon State or Washington State. Lewis’s new squad will face both of the remaining Pac-12 members since Oregon State was already scheduled as a non-conference opponent for. Teams coming to Snapdragon include Air Force, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oregon State. The Aztecs will travel to play Boise State, UNLV, Utah State, Washington State, and Wyoming.

Saturday September 7th: Oregon State

2023 Record: 8-5 fourth in the Pac-12

Previous Matchup: Aztecs lost 26-9 on September 16, 2023

Not technically part of Thursday’s reveal, the contest against Oregon State is notable because of the scheduling alliance between the MW and Pac-12. The Beavers lost both their top two quarterbacks. DJ Uiagalelei transferred to Florida State. Aidan Chiles followed head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State. OSU tabbed Trent Bray to replace Smith. Bray spent part of the three previous seasons as the program’s defensive coordinator.

Oregon State’s new offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson brought in two quarterbacks from the portal, most notably Gevani McCoy. The Aztec always play Pac-12 with some extra fire and with the Beavers coming to Snapdragon this game will be no different.

Saturday October 5th: Hawaii

2023 Record: 5-8 (3-5), 9th in the Mountain West

Previous Matchup: Aztecs Won 41-34 on October 13, 2023.

SDSU traveled to Hawaii for game seven of the 2023 season and came back from the island with their first conference win of the season, 41-34. The game was relatively close until the Aztecs were able to score on a one-yard touchdown run by Jaylon Armstead with 2:11 left in the game to all but end it.

The Rainbow Warriors will make the trip to Snapdragon Stadium with third year head coach Timmy Chang and his team led by quarterback Brayden Schager, who initially entered the transfer portal in December only to return for his senior year with the team. This will be one of the more favorable matchups for the Aztecs as they have added some explosive pieces on offense, especially at the wide receiver position, to help them put points on the board. The Aztecs have also filled many holes in the secondary that should make it difficult for Schager to get things going in the air.

Saturday October 12th: at Wyoming

2023 Record: 9-4 (5-3), 5th in The Mountain West

Previous Matchup: Aztecs won 26-22 on October 12, 2019.

This is a matchup Aztecs fans have not seen since they faced off in SDCCU Stadium during the 2019 season. The Red and Black reigned victorious over the Cowboys 26-22. Ryan Agnew found Daniel Bellinger for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 2:06 left to win the game for the Aztecs.

Jay Sawvel takes over as head coach of the Cowboys after Craig Bohl retired following the 2023 season. Wyoming will have most of its starters returning but will be missing two key pieces on both sides of the ball. Offensive tackle Frank Crum and Linebacker Easton Gibbs both left for the NFL Draft. This will be a matchup of opposing minds as Lewis, a former offensive coordinator, and Sawvel, a former defensive coordinator, square off at War Memorial Stadium.

Saturday October 26th: Washington State

2023 Record: 5-7 ninth in the PAC12

Previous Matchup: Aztecs won 42-24 on September 17, 2011.

The Cougars and Aztecs have faced off twice overall and the series is an even one and one. SDSU won the last matchup in 2011 42-24. Ronnie Hillman rushed for 205 yards and Ryan Lindley threw for 273 yards in the victory.

This is a great matchup for the Aztecs. Both teams finished in the bottom of their conferences last season and will both be looking to bounce back in a big way in 2024. Games against PAC12 opponents will be key for Lewis and his squad to prove they can play anyone. Another edge SDSU has on PAC12 opponents is Lewis coached against the Cougars last season and will know them as well as anyone. Washington State defeated Lewis’ old team, Colorado, 56-14.

Saturday November 2nd: at Boise State

2023 Record: 8-6 (6-2), Mountain West Champions

Previous Matchup: Aztecs Lost 34-31 on September 22, 2023.

The Broncos made the trip to Snapdragon last year to face the Aztecs. Boise State, led by running back Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns, got the better of the Aztecs. Their tough running style and bend but don’t break defense was the perfect formula.

This season, the Aztecs will look to get revenge as they travel to Boise with a new look squad. The Broncos finished in a three way tie in the Mountain West Conference, and won the Conference Championship game against UNLV. Boise State last season gave up 358 points to opponents but scored an impressive 450. A victory over the Broncos would be a huge statement win for this new-look team Lewis has put together.

Saturday November 9th: New Mexico

2023 Record: 4-8 (2-6), 10th in the Mountain West

Previous Matchup: Aztecs won 34-10 on November 18, 2022.

The Aztecs and Lobos did not face off during the 2023 season but the Aztecs were able to handle business when in New Mexico in 2022 with a solid 34-10 win. In 2024, the Lobos will make the trek from Albuquerque to Snapdragon Stadium. Like SDSU, New Mexico has a new coach. The university hired former BYU and Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall to its program.

The Aztecs, who finished one spot behind the Lobos in the conference last season, will look to get another win over their conference rivals. These games against the lower half of the conference are must-win games for Lewis as these are the stepping stones to getting to the top of the Mountain West. The Lobos gave up more points last season (421), than the Wolfpack who finished last in the conference. Look for this to be a game where Lewis’s offense could show flashes of those Air Coryell days with speedy new receivers Louis Brown and Jeremiah McClure.

Saturday November 16th: at UNLV

2023 Record: 9-5 (6-2), Lost in the Mountain West Championship Game

Previous Matchup: Aztecs won 14-10 on November 5, 2022.

The last time these two teams faced off it was a hard fought game on The Mesa where the Aztecs got the win 14-10. Last season, UNLV finished atop the Mountain West standings before losing to the Broncos in the championship. The Aztecs never got a shot at the Rebels last season but will look to continue their current four-game winning streak against the club.

UNLV has a void at the quarterback position after Doug Brumfield medically retired from football and Jayden Maiava transferred to USC. They will have a competition for the QB position with Cameron Friel leading the way, who won MW Freshman of the Year in 2021. With the potential instability on the offensive side of the ball, the Aztecs defense could be in for a big game against the Rebels.

Saturday November 23rd: at Utah State

2023 Record: 6-7 (4-4), 7th in The Mountain West

Previous Matchup: Aztecs lost 32-24 on November 4, 2023.

Utah State came to The Mesa in 2023 and walked away with a nail-biting win in double overtime. The Aztecs rallied from being down 17-7 in the fourth to force overtime before eventually losing. SDSU will travel to Utah in hopes of getting even.

Utah State has a large group of returning stars from the 2023 season on both sides of the ball. S Ike Larsen and DE Blaine Spires will help lead the defense. WR Jalen Royals and QB Cooper Legas bring stability to the offense. This will be a good matchup for the Aztecs, as Utah State was a middle-of-the-pack team in the Mountain West Conference last year. Lewis’ counterpart will be third-year head coach Blake Anderson. Anderson has led teams to bowls in nine of the past ten seasons including the past three with Utah State, Before that, he took Arkansas State to the postseason in six out of seven seasons.

Saturday November 30th: Air Force

2023 record: 9-4 (5-3), 4th in the Mountain West

Previous Matchup vs SDSU: Aztecs Lost 49-10 on September 30, 2023.

Air Force was a tough matchup for the Aztecs during the 2023 season, as they gave up 49 points in a lopsided game at Falcon Stadium. The Red and Black couldn’t get much going offensively, and the defense was outmatched by the run game led by Emmanuel Michel.

The Falcons will come to San Diego this season giving the Aztecs a small advantage of playing at home. Air Force is led by Senior Quarterback Zac Larrier, who is a dual-threat player, rushing for 605 yards last season. The running game will be led by a much younger group of players after losing key pieces such as John Eldridge and Michel. One key part of the Falcon run game is Chula Vista native Aiden Calvert, who played high school football for Mater Dei Catholic. This matchup should be a good challenge for SDSU against one of the tougher Mountain West opponents.

Johnny Olivieri

Johnny is born and raised in San Diego and a diehard fan of all his hometown teams. He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia that help paint a picture of the history of sports in San Diego. He spends a lot of his time attending sports games across San Diego county and enjoys studying the history and spreading knowledge of San Diego’s diverse sports.