San Diego State Aztecs Football Preview 2013 [AUDIO]

San Diego State is a team that could definitely make some noise in the conference in 2013. With a powerful rushing attack and a hard-nosed defense, the Aztecs are primed to make a run for the Mountain West Championship.

Offensively, Adam Dingwell comes back at QB for the Aztecs after completing 83 of 144 passes for 939 yds and 8 TD’s. He split time with QB Ryan Katz (99-163, 1348 yds, 13 TD’s), who will not return this season.

The rushing attack should be strong with second team All-MWC selection Adam Muema back at RB. As a sophomore, Muema gained 1458 yds on 237 carries with 16 TD’s (4^th in MWC). Also, Chase Price (29 carries, 114 yds, 1 TD) returns to add depth to that position as a sophomore.

The passing game will lose two of its top targets in 2-time first team All-MWC selection Gavin Escobar and WR Brice Butler. Escobar led the team in receiving with 543 yds on 42 receptions and 6 TD’s (12^th in MWC). Butler ranked second on the team in receiving with 347 yds on 24 catches and 4 TD’s (T-22^nd in MWC). However, the team’s 3^rd and 4^th most productive receives return in Ruffin (17-319 yds (24^th in MWC)) and Lockett (20-293 yds, 3 TD’s).

The O-Line will lose first team All-MWC selection Nik Embernate and 2^nd teamer Alec Johnson.

Defensively, all but two CB’s return to the Aztec defense this season. This team did an extraordinary job of getting into the offensive backfield last season. The D-line contributed in this area as Thomas and Meredith each racked up 5.5 TFL’s while Galea had 2.5 sacks of his own.

At Linebacker, second team All-MWC selection Jake Fely returns as a junior after collecting 90 tackles, 11.5 TFL’s, 7 sacks, 2 FF’s, and 2 PBU’s. Derek Largent (61 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s, 6.5 sacks, 2 INT’s, 1 FF, and 3 PBU’s) and Nick Tenhaeff (52 tackles, 13 TFL’s, 3 sacks, and 1 FF) were his partners in crime last season. Look for this position to be even better this season for the Aztecs.

In the secondary, SDSU will lose 3-time first team All-MWC selection Leon McFadden. McFadden racked up 61 tackles, 2 TFL’s, 3 INT’s, 2 “pick sixes,” and 1 FF this past season. However, the team’s top tackler in Nat Berhe (94 total tackles (10^th in MWC)) returns. Berhe and Pinkins also collected 2 INT’s each, while Andrews had one. Overall, look for this team to be a strong presence in the conference next season and a potential sleeper.

Brick Wall: Last season, the Aztecs led the conference in rush defense, holding opponents to a measly 133.5 yds/game. This might have been because of the LB’s and their ability to wreak havoc in the offensive backfield. Tenhaeff ranked 3^rd in the conference with 13 TFL’s, Fely tied for 8^th with 11.5, and Largent tied for 15^th with 9.5.

Scoring Source: Adam Muema was able to find the end-zone 17 times last season and ordered 2^nd in the conference in scoring. He did that as a sophomore last season.

2013 Schedule:

8/31 Eastern Illinois
9/7 at Ohio State
9/21 Oregon State
9/28 New Mexico State
10/4 Nevada*
10/10 at Air Force*
10/26 Fresno State*
11/2 New Mexico*
11/9 at San Jose State*
11/16 at Hawaii*
11/23 Boise State*

11/30 at UNLV*

*-Conference Games

Critical Games:

Nevada: After an over-time win last season, the Aztecs will host the Wolfpack this season. The MWC West division battle starts with this match-up in San Diego.
Fresno State: Last season, Fresno State proved to be a dominate force in the conference and held off the Aztecs at home. However, SDSU hosts the Bulldogs in 2013 and this game might be crucial in deciding the leader of the West division.
Boise State: The Broncos are not accustomed to losing at home. However, SDSU pulled off that rare feat last season on the “Smurf Turf.” The Aztecs have Boise at home this season. Mark this game on your calendar; it might be the best match-up in the MWC this season.

San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego, CA

Founded in 1897

Head Coach: Rocky Long (3^rd season, 17-9 in 2 seasons)

Coordinators:

Bob Toledo (1^st season, Offensive Coordinator)
Kevin McGarry (3^rd season, Special Teams Coordinator)

2012 Record:

Game	Result	W/L
at Washington	21-12	L
Army	42-7	W
North Dakota	49-41	W
San Jose State	38-34	L
at Fresno State*	52-40	L
Hawaii*	52-14	W
Colorado State*	38-14	W
at Nevada*	39-38	W (OT)
UNLV*	24-13	W
at Boise State*	21-19	W
Air Force*	28-9	W
at Wyoming*	42-28	W

*-Conference Game

2012 Post-season: Poinsettia Bowl (Lost to BYU, 23-6)

2012 Statistics:

Category	Actual	MWC Rank	NCAA Rank
Points For/Game	32.9	3	36
Points Allowed/Game	24.4	3	42
Yards For/Game	396.6	4	61
Rush Yards For/Game	220.7	4	20
Pass Yards For/Game	175.9	8	103
Yards Allowed/Game	369.0	3	39
Rush Yards Allowed/Game	133.5	1	28
Pass Yards Allowed/Game	235.5	7	65
Passing Efficiency	136.4	6	55
Passing Efficiency Defense	130.8	4	59
Turnover Margin	0.08	5	55
Sacks Allowed/Game	2.69	9	99
Sacks For/Game	2.46	3	31
Tackles For Loss/Game	6.92	2	25

Returning Starters: 17 (8 Offense, 9 Defense)

Starters Lost: 5 (3 Offense, 2 Defense)

Returning Offensive Starters:	Returning Defensive Starters:
Senior LT Bryce Quigley	Senior DE Jordan Thomas
Senior LG Japheth Gordon	Junior DT Sam Meredith
Junior RT Zach Dilley	Junior DE Cody Galea
Junior WR Ezell Ruffin	Senior LB Nick Tenhaeff
Junior RB Adam Muema^	Junior LB Jake Fely^
Junior QB Adam Dingwell	Junior LB Derek Largent
Senior FB Chad Young	Senior S Marcus Andrews
Senior WR Colin Lockett	Senior S Nat Berhe^
	Senior S Eric Pinkins
Offensive Starters Lost:
TE Gavin Escobar*(two time selection)	Defensive Starters Lost:
RG Nik Embernate*	CB Leon McFadden*(3-time selection)
C Alec Johnson^	CB Josh Wade

Returning Specialists:
Sophomore P Seamus McMorrow (41.71 yds/punt)

*-First Team All-Mountain West

^-Second Team All-Mountain West

This article was complied with the use of NCAA Football Statistics, Mountain West Conference Football, and San Diego State Football.

Audio:

Rocky Long (head coach) talks about: Strengths and weaknesses, Dingwell, Muema, Style of defense, Be humble, and His thoughts on the playoff system. (Courtesy of GoAztecs.com):