Game Preview: SDSU Aztecs vs. Colorado State Rams

GAME INFORMATION

Date: Friday, October 3

Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

Kickoff: 7:30 PM PT

TV: CBS SPORTS NETWORK

Aztecs Radio Network: San Diego Sports 760

The Red and Black will begin conference play under Friday night lights against Colorado State. Lewis’s squad has already amassed as many wins as his debut season, just four games in.

“We’re tough, man, we’re tough, we’re resilient, and we continue to mature week in and week out,” Lewis boasted of his teams grit so far this season. “I’ve said this about them going all the way back to January, with winter conditioning and all, throughout the emotional toughness and the mental toughness to respond when challenged like they have. This group has tremendous personal pride in their performance and, in an internal way, respectfully, not the external noise, but to our standard when they don’t measure up to our Aztec warrior standard. That matters so much to them, that personal pride in their performance, to respond and to do it better, is a great trait that this team has, and I think that’s a winning trait that all good teams have, that they’ve possessed, and because of that, they lean back into the work.”

SDSU has been tough on defense this year and disciplined on offense, especially at home. They have yet to surrender a single point at Snapdragon this season, shutting out opposing offenses in both home contests.

The Rams head to San Diego with a 1-3 overall record and a two-game losing streak. The run-first offense is led by running back Jalen Dupree, who has carried the rock 40 times for 199 yards and one touchdown. Close behind him is the complementary back Lloyd Avant, who has 25 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns. 

The leader of the offense is the new starting quarterback, Jackson Brousseau. Brousseau has been with the Rams as a backup the past three seasons, appearing in three games in that time. He got his shot to start vs. Washington State and went 19/28 with 188 yards as his team lost 20-3.

Brousseau won the starting job after coming in the previous game vs. UTSA. His Rams were down 10-3 with 11:46 left, and he nearly willed them to a comeback win after leading two touchdown drives, but they came up just short, 17-16. But that was enough for head coach Jay Norvell to make him the starter vs. Washington State.

The Rams’ offense relies on the run game to set up the passing game for Brousseau. The Aztecs’ D-line will be tested, and if they can stand their ground and shut down the run, they could be set up for another great outing at home. 

The defense is led by linebacker Owen Long, who is a tackle machine with 52 so far in four games, as well as a fumble recovery. They play tough-nose defense and have averaged one turnover per game. The Aztec offense will need to play sound football and wear down the defense with their three-headed monster running back group.

The fans showed up to Snapdragon during the team’s big win over Cal and made a huge difference for the team. This week, they have another chance to see their hometown team play as Lewis and the athletic department have been back at it again on campus, giving tickets away and having a flash sale online.

“I’m going to school again on Wednesday and Thursday. I’ll be back in the classroom, back in the community,” Lewis said of his outreach in the community. “I can’t wait to see where I get to go learn, spread some positivity. My guy, Billy from Philly, on campus at Broken Yoke, is going to do some things. He’s going to come with me. We’re going to spread out some food and some cheer that way as well. We got some things working in the community. Additionally, there will be game-day giveaways taking place. We’re going to double down our efforts. We’re going to reinvest in it. Obviously, it was a positive net impact where we got over 31,000 tickets that were out, and again, I can’t wait for more to show up and show out and be a part of what we’re doing and what we’re building.”

Keys To The Game

• Stop The Run

SDSU has held opponents’ rushing attacks to 91.3 yards per game this season. Colorado State averages 156 yards per game. The key to the game will be stopping the run and forcing Brousseau into making errant throws.

The Rams only have one player with over 100 yards receiving (Armani Winfield). Despite having 142 yards, Winfield would be under 100 yards if it weren’t for his longest reception being 47 yards.

For the running backs, the top two backs, Jalen Dupree (199 yds) and Lloyd Avant (176yds), pave the way for the offense and open up the defense for the air attack.

Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich is an innovative mind and will have to use his ability and schematics to stuff the run this week. Something Lewis is confident in him doing.

“I think his ability to allow the players to play free, to play clean, and to play fast, allowing them to play, has been great,” Lewis stated when asked about what Aurich has brought to the team.

If the defensive front can fill gaps and contain these running backs, things would go a lot smoother for the Red and Black Friday night.

• Win The Turnover Battle

Denegal went three weeks without turning over the football and then threw two interceptions against Northern Illinois. In a game that was as close as that was, the Aztecs were lucky the Huskies didn’t capitalize on those turnovers.

This week, against this tough defense, SDSU needs to not only protect the football on offense, but it will be crucial to produce turnovers on defense to set up Denegal and the offense.

The Rams have turned the ball over six times so far this season. If the defense is able to shut down the run and apply pressure, there is a high likelihood that Brousseau could give some gifts to the secondary.

Look for Chris Johnson and Dalesean Staley to have the chance to make big impacts for the defense. Both have forced a fumble, and Johnson has one more interception (2) than Staley. These two players aren’t the only ones who can change the field, but have been successful at it so far, the Red and Black.

Usually, the team that wins the turnover differential has a much higher chance of coming out on top, and in these tough conference games, that could make all the difference.

Players To Watch

• Jayden Denegal & Jackson Brousseau

The players to watch in this game are the same for both teams: the quarterbacks, the commanders of the offense.

Much like division games in the NFL, Mountain West Conference games can be close contests. These teams play each other almost every year and know each other well.

This matchup will be decided by which team has better quarterback play. The defenses on both slides are tough, and the quarterback who makes fewer mistakes will set his team up best.

Both quarterbacks will have to protect the football in this game and not force any throws if their options aren’t there.

Denegal has a slight edge when it comes to his ability to run outside of the pocket, which will help him as he has that option if he is pressured and has to make a play on his feet. 

Brosseau’s lack of experience gives the Aztecs the edge, as their defense can play more aggressively than usual against him to try and force mistakes. Expect Colorado State to game plan short, quick throws and lean on the run more than usual in the matchup.

All eyes will be on the quarterbacks Friday night, and whoever can lead his offense efficiently with the least amount of mistakes will come out on top.

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.