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“Aztecs-Hawaii…..Not a Vacation Trip”

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Biggest game of the season this Saturday out on the Islands.  The Aztecs at Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.

An SDSU win moves the team to (9-1), and gives them the Mountain West Conference “Mountain Division” title and a chance to go play in the cold, likely at Boise State in the league championship game.  A loss puts Hawaii in the play;off game.

SDSU has always played well in Honolulu. Hawaii, in the midst of rebuilding under new coach Nick Rolovich, is rolling, throwing the ball all over the field.

The Aztecs are coming off the impressive (337Y) passing day of QB-Ryan Agnew.  The defense continues to rank nationally in all the metric, with 19-takeaways…23-sacks…givig up just (277YPG).  They are holding teams to (2.4YPC) running the ball.  They have 66-tackles for losses.  They have given up just 15-TDs this year in a throwing league.

But in Hawaii, they face a spread formation, passing offense that is averaging a whopping (491YPG).  The Rainbows convert 46% of their 3rd downs, and when they run it out of the spread, they are averaging (5.2YPC).  QB-Cole McDonald, a second year starter, has now thrown for (3,007Y-35TD).

The Rainbows do run up scores on people at Aloha Stadium, but have played much better on the road this year, with a (3-2) record  They beat Arizona and Oregon State of the Pac-12 right out of the gate.  They did get punched in the mouth by Washington, and lost to Fresno State and Air Force, both in Honolulu.

They have scored 53-touchdowns, but they have given up (431YPG) and allowed 48-TDs this year.

Could be wild if Hawaii gets out to an early lead.  Could be ugly if Rocky-ball controls the tempo, the Aztecs run the ball, and the defense takes the ball away from Hawaii.

Coach Rocky Long’s comments.

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..Nice to be in position we are in…Nice be (8-2)
..Anticipate close game
..Hawaii best passing team in league
..Schematically are 4-5 wide receivers every snap
..2-talented quarterbacks…

..QB-Cole McDonald-very accurate with football
..Has a big windup to throw it…throws all the routes
..They dump ball off and make you miss tackles
..Every tackle has to be made in the open field-they challenge you

..Only resemblance to others…4-and-5 wides
..Other teams have tight ends in packages…H-backs…they don’t
..Fomration wise it is simple
..Scheme wise it is tough to defend…like

..Nick Rolovich good guy..good recruiter…
..He played there..understands culture…exc
..He has 34-transfers on roster…gets the right type of transfer
..Be careful about recruiting transfer…
..check their personalities and how they play the game..you want team guys
..If they are not team guys, they cause problems
..Need right type of personalities to make your roster.

..Long road trip..longer stay on plane..jet lag.
..Real problem is not that game..but game after..trip home
..Lose day preparation..let lag…day practice

..My defense faces a huge challenge-like playing triple option..not enough prep time
..Have not played anyone like Hawaii this year..
..Where is stress….want pass rush…otherwise secondary must be outstanding
..Win battle upfront you win the game

..I told people better team in league is Hawaii…not surprised they beat Arizona-Oregon State
..We must run the ball and keep them off the field…we haven’t showed consistency.
..Beat them up..control the ball…let let Hawaii on the field.
..Hawaii very comfortable playing at home
..Pretty good crowd-they love football-they have talent.

..Ryan Agnew-bruised calf muscle-hope will be better
..Running backs beat up this year…we’re happy-where we are…kids stepped up.

..History lesson…in last 30-years at SDSU-not that many 8-wins seasons…we can take it to 9-wins this weekend.

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Ryan Agnew-Tariq Thompson

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Ryan Agnew

All our goals are in place
Been strange be so streaky on offense
We don’t live in perfect world…when things don’t work
Injured calf early in game against Fresno..adrenalin pumping…got it going
We remember last year’s last home game loss
Last year is last year..
Jesse Matthews made great catches…got open…won matches
Awesome see these guys do this
Every game is different….some games we run it…some games we throw it
Overcome a lot of obstacles…injuries-everybody is hurt at this point
Off season we preached next man up and they have
We love the pressure on us….people can’t believe we are (8-2)…
Playing Hawaii-longer flight…don’t prepare differently
Aloha Stadium really cool…see all Pro Bowls been there-great

Tariq Thompson

Hawaii definitely a threat…4-receivers deep
Rainbows-sthrey throw it everywhere
They are great after the catch
Have not played anyone like that all year….
They run a lot of in routes-breaking routes
Satisfying see what this has become…it is next man up
We have chip on shoulder now
Enormous pressure on back five…limit them to no yards after catch
Hawaii makes you miss-very elusive
Brady Hoke-drives you crazy-gets on you if you make mistake
Hoke gives us energy
Person defense change-we are more agressivek-keep pressure on team
We are forcing turnovers..getting to the QBs
Hawaii…vacation spot….but we are there to play and win.

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