San Diego State Aztecs
Mountain West
San Diego State started off the season on a bad note, dropping its first three games, including a blowout loss at home to FCS foe Eastern Illinois. The Aztecs recovered to win seven of their remaining nine games, with a win over perennial power Boise State and near upset of then No.16 Fresno State. The bowl appearance marks the fourth in a row for San Diego State. The Aztecs will try to break their two game bowl losing streak, having dropped games to both BYU and Louisiana-Lafayette the past two bowl seasons.
2013 Record: 7-5, 6-2
Coach: Rocky Long
Coach Bowl Record: 1-6
Big Wins: 11/9 at San Jose State (34-30), 11/23 Boise State (34-31)
Bad Losses: 8/31 Eastern Illinois (19-40), 11/30 at UNLV (19-45)
Strengths:
San Diego State's offense is one that is pretty much equal in its running and passing game, although quarterback Quinn Kaehler is 38th in the country in total passing yards (2,796) and 30th in passing yards per game with an average of 254 yards a contest. Kaehler has the luxury of one of the statistically-best wide receivers in the country, Ezell Ruffin. Ruffin's 1,061 receiving yards are 25th nationally and his 88.4 yards a game is 26th. Colin Lockett is 27th in the country in all-purpose yards, averaging 135.27 yards per game. Lockett averages nearly 25 yards per kickoff return. The punt return game is also a bright spot for the Aztecs. Tim Vizzi has returned two punts for touchdowns. That is second in the country, behind North Carolina's Ryan Switzer, who has four kickoff return touchdowns. San Diego State also features one of the better rush defenses in the country, ranking 25th in the country and second in the conference, giving up only 133 yards per game on the ground.
Weaknesses:
While the Aztecs offer a dynamic offense, the defense is not as stout. The team is giving up 32 points a game, 96th in the country and four points more than they're averaging. However, the truly rough part of the San Diego State defense is its red zone defense. The team is ranked 123rd of 123 teams in red zone efficiency, giving up points 95 percent of the time their opponents get into the red zone. The rushing defense is good for the Aztecs, but the team has problems in its secondary. They have intercepted just seven passes on the year and are allowing 260 yards through the air. Both numbers are ranked in the lower 20 teams in the country. The Aztecs have 12 more turnovers than those that they have forced and their minus-one turnover margin is 118th in the country.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Adam Muema, RB, 1,074 yards
Passing: Quinn Kaehler, QB, 2,796 yards
Receiving: Ezell Ruffin, WR, 1,061 yards
Tackles: Nat Berhe, LB, 94
Sacks: Nick Tenhaeff, LB, 5.0
Interceptions: J.J. Whittaker, CB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 159.8 (74th in nation, 10th in conference)
Passing Offense: 262.3 (34, 6)
Total Offense: 422.0 (59, 10)
Scoring Offense: 28.2 (70, 9)
Rushing Defense: 132.9 (25, 2)
Pass Defense: 259.7 (103, 8)
Total Defense: 392.6 (55, 2)
Scoring Defense: 32.3 (96, 6)
Turnover Margin: -1.0 (118, 12)
Sacks: 1.83 (75, 7)
Sacks Allowed: 2.33 (85, 11)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Poinsettia Bowl BYU (6-23)
2011 New Orleans Bowl Louisiana (30-32)
2010 Poinsettia Bowl Navy (35-14)
1998 Las Vegas Bowl North Carolina (13-20)
1991 Freedom Bowl Tulsa (17-28)
1986 Holiday Bowl Iowa (38-39)
*all team stats through 11/30
