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“Aztecs Basketball—Prove Yourself”

 

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Th-e Aztecs face back to back big games this week in the Continental Tire Invitational in Las Vegas.  SDSU plays nationally ranked Creighton then likely Iowa.  They’ve had a good start, but now start to play really good teams, Creighton, Iowa, Texas Tech in the tourney..

They have a chance to establish their resume, and push themselves into the Top 25-rankings.

The gritty come from behind win at BYU was an accomplishment, but that is now off-set by the struggles they had against Long Island University (LI-Who) and downtrodden Tennessee State.

You see flashes, in your face defense, an odd good game by Yonnie Wetzel or Jordan Schakel, big nights inside from Nathan Mensah.  But lead guard Malachi Flynn isn’t shooting well (39%), and didn’t shoot well when he left Washington State.

Their calling card is at the other end of the floor.  Try holding opponents (35%) shooting….try 20-blocked shots and 40-steals…or opponents (98) turnovers in six outings so far.

Need to find the offense now, because Creighton-Texas Tech-Iowa are big time teams.

Coach Brian Dutcher:

..Teams in Las Vegas-combined record (19-2)
..Exciting to see where we are as a team..see how good we are
..Creighton shoots 41% from the 3-point range..top ranked on offense.

..Aztecs had shots not go in vs Tennessee State…
..Had layups…open threes not go in..just have to make shot
..Haven’t had a game where our guards are red-hot, on fire.
..Yonni-Nathan playing well inside..just need consistency outside.

..Las Vegas tourney games carry clout for post season
..In search of quality resume win because we are not in Power 5-Conference
..Important to us for non conference resume
..Alot of eyes on Aztecs with ESPN televising games
..Get into rankings-it adds credence we are NCAA tourney team
..Gives us wiggle room in the conference

..I like my team-we will be competitive thru the year ..(6-0) good start-next goal…take it one game at a time
..Creighton will be a good test for us
..This has been pretty good start with our focus

Matt Mitchell:
..This team has clicked this year..new team..new people
..Everyone has bought in this year to practices-game plans
..Offensive struggle-defense has been good
..Missing too many shots-we make them in practice-need to do in game
..Cannot let offense dictate our defense
..Every player lives for this…5-games in 10-nights
..Practice 10-days and no games..don’t like that.
..Game feels different  at 220-pounds..want to play back to way I played before
..Weight loss is a different…quicker on defense…steals..proud what I’ve done
…Push ourselves into Top 25-rankings, would help team a lot..grow-come together

Malachi Flynn:
..When I transferred in I looked at all aspects of program
..I believe we could be where we are right n
..Come together in July-when we were practicing together
..Creighton very good team-we know that going in
..Big test for us-our chemistry-
..Two toughest games we have had back to back
..5-games in 10-days..just lock in on scouting reporting
..Haven’t shot well the first 6-games…continue be confident
..We know how good we are..getting to top 25-would mean a lot.

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“Aztecs at Finish Line”

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San Diego State is on the brink of a (9-3) finish to the season, if they can beat Brigham Young on Saturday night.

That record would give you a ‘feel good emotion’ to a season, especially based on what happened at the end of last season to SDSU.  But it just doesn’t feel that way.

A Jekyll-Hyde offense, strong one week, weak the next, has left as many unanswered questions as you could imagine.

Instead of a possible New Year’s Day bowl game, these late season setbacks have continued to cost the team a bowl match against a big time opponent, that could put the Aztecs on everyone’s national radar.

Not the case, and now a likely bowl berth against a team from Conference USA or the Sun Belt Conference, in either the New Mexico or Arizona Bowl.  Surely not big time.

BYU, operating as an independent, has disappeared off the national radar since leaving the Mountain West Conference.  The passing of Lavelle Edwards, and coaching changes since he left, have taken the Cougars in a different direction.

BYU did beat Tennessee early, then USC, and Boise State at mid season, so they are dangerous.  Their 5-game win streak now, was off set by a 3-game losing streak at mid season and blowout losses to Utah-and-Washington.   BYU has played a really big time schedule as an independent.

So who knows what this game would bring.

Coach Rocky Long’s comments.

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..Really good football team coming in here
..Getting QB-Zach Wilson back form hand injury
..Best football team we have played all year

..Ryan Agnew will sit out practice till Thursday
..Carson Baker would be ‘next man up’.

..We have done a lot of really good things this year
..Only team qualified for bowl games 10-years in a row
..Our primary goal was to win championship-we didn’t get there
..But we have hit a lot of goals
..Really proud of senior class-took a leadership role I wanted
..Last yard did not play really hard..didn’t play with ‘want to’ attitude
..We changed it..senrios bought in..changed everything
..Team first attitude changed

..Thoughts on independent football teams…much prefer be in a league
..Some teams can’t afford scheduling…some think make more money independent
..I think eventually there will be a football tourney…everyone should be in conference

..BYU is playing in a bowl game…
..BYU sets its own standard as an independent
..BYU you can set your schedule the way you want
..If BYU came back to conference-would be a positive for our conference
..BYU has a national brand and would be good
..BYU might come back if MWC teams refused to schedule them
..BYU scheduling virtually all MWC teams.

..BYU big boy schedule..they are playing well now.
..Look like old time BYU from years ago…score-moved ball-
..Zach Wilson is like all the good ones they had..accuarate-deep throws-run
..Our players don’t know history BYU
..Kids did not know they have 25-26  year olds

..Aztecs defensive stats with a lot of young players-mean we could be good next year too
..Jekyll-Hyde offense-every team has an identity…some outscore you..
..Not sure of our backup QBs-no idea

..College football teams are growing…more overall schools playing Div i-II-III football

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“USC Football–Decision Day”

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A tough call coming this week for the new Director of Athletics at USC, Mike Bohn.

Just hired from the University of Cincinnati, to fix all the has been wrong at Heritage Hall, he inherits a lot of pressure.

Pressure from the fans, the boosters, the media.

They are all the doorstep demanding a coaching change in the football program.

USC is not what it used to be, but what they used to be, the John McKay era, and the John Robinson era, the Pete Carroll tenure.  It seems like a thousand years ago.  Nothing wrong remembering the past, but something very wrong thinking you can get back to the past by next Monday.

Clay Helton inherited a mess, twice.  Once as an interim coach under Lane Kiffin, who was fired on the LAX tarmac by AD-Pat Haden, as the program slipped into mediocrity.

Hired as interim a second time, when Steve Sarkisian’s life spiraled down into achol incidents on campus, forcing then AD-Lynn Swann to make a change.

Helton, a wizard on offense, has finally righted the ship, going (8-4), blowing out UCLA and likely getting to a decent bowl game.

Not enough say the boosters, the fans, the media.

So Mike Bohn, on the job just two weeks, has to make a decision.  Stay with the coach the players believe in, who took a battered team to 5-wins in the last six games, or go out in the market place and find the right big name to take over the position, and start all over again.

Helton went (8-4) with a 3rd string quarterback he helped develop. No one could have thought freshmen Kedon Slovis would throw for over (3,200Y) and 28-TDs coming in early in the season.

They won by developing four young wide receivers, and using a 4th team tailback to run the ball, after a siege of injuries wrecked the potential of the season.

USC is in a lot better place today by virtue of Helton’s steadying hand, his philosophy, his communication skills, his leadership, his offensive staff.

Nothing is perfect nor guaranteed at USC, so there may be changes coming on the defensive coaching staff, which saw it’s side of the ball give up massive yards and points in the Oregon loss and the shootout win over UCLA.

Looming out there, Urban Meyer, but there is so much baggage with him, trailing from Florida thru Ohio State.  He may be good, he may win games, but why do I feel he is a snake-oil salesman, and the type of guy who have to go wash your hands after shaking his hand.

This is who you really want to take over what had been a scandal filled program in the waning days of the Pete Carroll-Reggie Bush era?

Helton cleaned up the mess left behind by the losing binges of Kiffin, who is now struggling again at Florida Atlantic, and the beer blast binges of Sarkisian, who wrecked his career with lies and the bottle.

Mike Bohn’s track record is spotty.  He was at San Diego State, making lots of promises, but fleeing in the middle of the night.  He went to Colorado as they entered the Pac 12-Conference, but the Buffaloes have been underachievers in football.  Bohn landed a good coach at Cincinnati, where the Bearcats are (10-1) under Luke Fickell, but the AD missed on other coaching hires prior to that get at UC.

He comes in here with a football program on a roll, and a basketball program under Andy Enland that seems to be headed in the right direction.

The Todd McNair lawsuit and the NCAA sanctions seem behind them.  The ‘Pay for Play’ admissions scandal will soon be in their review mirror.  The arrogance of the Mike Garrett regime is gone.

Bohn has a football coach a lot of football people, players and families respect.  Why make a change right now.

Maybe if the AD is to fire anyone, it should be the ‘Big Cigar’ boosters, the fans, and the LA Times which seems to have an agenda agains the current coach.

Football decision coming.  The USC AD-was handed a gift in a program that seems up the upswing.  Why would you make any changes now?

Do the right thing, and let Helton complete the project he was promoted to do, clean up the mess that USC football had become.

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“Chargers Bye Week–No Bye Week From Controversy”

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Chargers Football.

Dateline: Bye Week-Helluva lot of controversy for a team that didn’t even play.

Some two weeks for owner Dean Spanos.

It started with the ill-founded rumor, that became a media wildfire report, the NFL was discussing the Chargers as a possible full-time team in London, England.  Spanos unleashed a fury of obscenities denying there was any truth to the rumors.  That was followed by his henchman Mark Fabiani and Fred Maas following up with their own criticisms, trying to tell everyone how good things were in LA.  They were the guys who conducted the ‘scorched earth’ policy in San Diego.

You know, LA, or rather Carson, where they play their road games designed as home games,  played before throngs of fans wearing the other teams jerseys.

The Chargers then proceed to turnover a game to the Raiders, a crushing defeat in a game they had dominated for a chunk of time.

That’s followed by the trip to Mexico City for the Monday Night game with the Chiefs.

Spanos shows up at a Chargers fans function in Mexico City and gets booed at his own party.  He spoke for less than :45 to the assemblage and left.

The Bolts then proceed to self destruct under a flurry of Philip Rivers turnovers, as their playoff hopes die under a siege of Rivers forced throws, fumbles, quarterback sacks, and hits.

That is then followed by the ESPN investigative report into the team’s business problems, the failing  selling of season tickets and PSL’s for the move into the new Stadium they will share with the Rams in Inglewood next year.

The story is devastating to the already failing Spanos legacy.

The Rams have sold 60,000-season tickets for next year and raised in excess of 300M in PSL tax money, to help finance their share of the stadium.

The Chargers have sold less than 20,000 season tickets and with reduced prices, have taken in less than 60M in PSL funds, a far-cry from the announced goal of 400M for their share of construction costs.

To add insult to injury, salt to the wound, the ESPN report quotes Cowboys owner Jerry Jones:

“There is no market for Chargers PSL tickets in the LA market”.  Ouch, and that coming from the man who helped create the idea of the Rams-Chargers shared stadium.

Or how about this nugget from an anonymous NFL owner as part of that NFL report.

“The Chargers move to LA-the rationale made no sense.”

The allegations that the Spanos decision to drastically discount PSL prices, stung the Rams and insulted other owners who had supported the owner’s move to LA.  The Rams-Chargers feud over the handling of the ticket sales continues.  Even with the input of Jerry Jones “Legends” marketing group, in the handling of PSL deals, has not helped.

The club wasted 3M in trying to market the “Fight for LA”  campaigned by AG Spanos, the owner’s empty suit son, who is President of Business Operations.

Nothing has changed from the moment the Chargers moved, but now it seems even worse, this atmosphere they have to work-live in..

From day one to now-wow, what a mess.

You can check off a lot of boxes of mistakes.  The team’s logo, the marketing campaign, the bogus introductory Spanos press conference, where he was cursed by San Diego fans who showed up, the lousy fan support in Carson, the anemic TV ratings in LA, to the losses, the bad games, and fading star status of Philip Rivers.

On Sunday, more damaging intel, even without a game scheduled.  Published reports this weekend about the demise of trust in Rivers from the people in the front office, and insinuation the relationship with the star quarterback has become frayed.  Damaged by his eroding productivity, crippling turnovers, but the fact he does not seem to have ‘bought in’ on the team’s moved to LA.  Add in the report, no contract extension talks, and a possible thought he might move to the Tennessee Titans as a free agent next off season to move closer to his Alabama home.

And then starting CB-Michael Davis was suspended on Friday for violation of the NFL drug program.  A mistake he made, or stupid move, doesn’t matter, it’s all one and the same to put yourself into a position for not showing up on time for random drug test, or smoking a joint of marijuana, or not doing paperwork properly, whatever it was.

It’s life with the Charges, that the owner created when he decided to screw 55-years of Chargers loyalty in San Diego to search for the gold in the LA market.  Fools gold.

The Union Tribune columnists started referring to Dean Spanos, as “Fredo”.  You remember him, the actor ,  the son in the movie ‘Godfather’, and the comment he made in the movie.

Fredo tells his brother Michael Corleone, “I’m not stupid-as everyone says.  I’m smart. And I deserve respect”.  Dean Spanos walks around portraying himself to be one thing.  Reality says something very different.

Look at the Chargers situation right now, and tell me with everything that is happening up there and has happened since the move, go ahead, compare Fredo to Dean.

Injuries have destroyed this season.  The ownership leadership is destroying the franchise.

Might have been a bye week, but the Chargers problems-controversies-criticism haven’t ceased.

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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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