2018 San Diego State Aztecs football team

Last updated

2018 San Diego State Aztecs football
San Diego State Aztecs logo.svg
Frisco Bowl, L 0–27 vs. Ohio
Conference Mountain West Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record7–6 (4–4 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton (4th season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett (1st season)
Base defense 3–3–5
Home stadium SDCCU Stadium
Seasons
  2017
2019  
2018 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Mountain Division
No. 23 Boise State x  7 1   10 3  
No. 22 Utah State  7 1   11 2  
Wyoming  4 4   6 6  
Air Force  3 5   5 7  
Colorado State  2 6   3 9  
New Mexico  1 7   3 9  
West Division
No. 18 Fresno State x$  7 1   12 2  
Nevada  5 3   8 5  
Hawaii  5 3   8 6  
San Diego State  4 4   7 6  
UNLV  2 6   4 8  
San Jose State  1 7   1 11  
Championship: Fresno State 19, Boise State 16 (OT)
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aztecs were led by eighth-year head coach Rocky Long and played their home games at SDCCU Stadium. San Diego State was a member of the Mountain West Conference in the West Division. They finished the season 7–6, 4–4 in Mountain West play to finish in fourth place in the West Division. They were invited to the Frisco Bowl where they lost to Ohio.

Contents

Recruiting

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Aztecs signed a total of 24 recruits. [1]

College recruiting information (2018)
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
Andrew Alves
ILB
San Diego, California St. Augustine High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)225 lb (102 kg)Nov 20, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Matt Araiza
K
San Diego, California Rancho Bernardo High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
Carson Baker
QB
La Mesa, California Helix High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg)Dec 20, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Keshawn Banks
DE
Rio Rancho, New Mexico Rio Rancho High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)254 lb (115 kg)Jul 11, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Luq Barcoo
CB
Chula Vista, California Grossmont College 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Cedarious Barfield
ATH
El Paso, Texas El Dorado High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)163 lb (74 kg)Jun 24, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Daniel Bellinger
OLB
Las Vegas, Nevada Palo Verde High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg)Jul 30, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Josh Bornes
OLB
San Marcos, California San Marcos High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)Jun 26, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Jordan Byrd
ATH
Albuquerque, New Mexico Manzano High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)166 lb (75 kg)Jun 27, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
William Dunkle
DT
Chula Vista, California Eastlake High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)356 lb (161 kg)Dec 18, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Denaylan Fuimaono
S
Carson, California Carson High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)Oct 9, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
J.R. Justice
WR
San Diego, California St. Augustine High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)197 lb (89 kg)Jun 26, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
Elijah Kothe
WR
Las Vegas, Nevada Faith Lutheran High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)Jul 5, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Jalil Lecky
DE
Antioch, California College of San Mateo 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)215 lb (98 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Nic McTear
TE
Frisco, Texas Heritage High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg)Dec 21, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
Allan Mwata
S
Henderson, Nevada Liberty High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)Jul 3, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Daniel Okpoko
DE
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada St. Joseph Secondary School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Joah Robinett
DE
San Diego, California Oregon State University 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)260 lb (120 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
Rashad Scott
WR
La Mesa, California Helix High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)182 lb (83 kg)Jun 25, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Kobe Smith
WR
Gardena, California Junipero Serra High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)178 lb (81 kg)Feb 6, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
T.J. Sullivan
WR
San Diego, California Mt. Carmel High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  2 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  2 stars.svg    
Cameron Thomas
DE
Carlsbad, California Carlsbad High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg)Jun 29, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  2 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Zidane Thomas
RB
Peoria, Arizona Centennial High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)200 lb (91 kg)Feb 7, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    
Alama Uluave
OG
Honolulu, Hawaii Punahou School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)292 lb (132 kg)Feb 9, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout:  3 stars.svg     Rivals:  3 stars.svg     247Sports:  3 stars.svg    
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "San Diego State Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved March 1, 2018.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Maxwell Award [2] Juwan WashingtonRBJR
John Mackey Award [3] Kahale Warring TEJR
Lou Groza Award [4] John Baron IIKSR
Paul Hornung Award [5] Juwan WashingtonRB/KRJR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award [6] Christian ChapmanQBSR

Mountain West media days

During the Mountain West media days held July 24–25 at the Cosmopolitan on the Las Vegas Strip, the Aztecs were predicted to finish in second place in the West Division. [7]

Preseason All-Mountain West Team

The Aztecs had three players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team. [8]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.at No. 13 Stanford * FS1 L 10–3140,913
September 86:00 p.m. Sacramento State *W 28–1445,755
September 157:30 p.m.No. 23 Arizona State *
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
CBSSN W 28–2134,641
September 227:30 p.m. Eastern Michigan *
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
CBSSNW 23–20 OT30,898
October 612:30 p.m.at Boise State ESPNU W 19–1336,679
October 126:00 p.m. Air Force
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
CBSSNW 21–1725,326
October 207:30 p.m. San Jose State Dagger-14-plain.png
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
CBSSNW 16–1330,451
October 277:30 p.m.at Nevada ESPNUL 24–2814,545
November 37:15 p.m.at New Mexico ESPNUW 31–2314,646
November 107:30 p.m. UNLV
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
ESPN2 L 24–2724,986
November 177:30 p.m.at Fresno State CBSSNL 14–2336,123
November 247:30 p.m. Hawaii
  • SDCCU Stadium
  • San Diego, CA
ESPNUL 30–31 OT28,014
December 195:00 p.m.vs. Ohio * ESPN L 0–2711,029
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Pacific time

[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Game summaries

At Stanford

San Diego State Aztecs at No. 13 Stanford Cardinal
Quarter1234Total
Aztecs703010
No. 13 Cardinal0915731

at Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

Game information

Sacramento State

Sacramento State Hornets at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
Hornets077014
Aztecs7601528

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

Arizona State

No. 23 Arizona State Sun Devils at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
No. 23 Sun Devils770721
Aztecs01431128

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan Eagles at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234OTTotal
Eagles3773020
Aztecs31403323

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

At Boise State

San Diego State Aztecs at Boise State Broncos
Quarter1234Total
Aztecs3100619
Broncos700613

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho

Game information

Air Force

Air Force Falcons at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
Falcons270817
Aztecs770721

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

San Jose State

San Jose State Spartans at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
Spartans607013
Aztecs0103316

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

At Nevada

San Diego State Aztecs at Nevada Wolf Pack
Quarter1234Total
Aztecs14100024
Wolf Pack9610328

at Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada

Game information

At New Mexico

San Diego State Aztecs at New Mexico Lobos
Quarter1234Total
Aztecs7071731
Lobos736723

at Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Game information

UNLV

UNLV Rebels at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
Rebels6701427
Aztecs01410024

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

At Fresno State

Battle for the Old Oil Can: San Diego State Aztecs at Fresno State Bulldogs
Quarter1234Total
Aztecs770014
Bulldogs737623

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

Hawaii

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234OTTotal
Rainbow Warriors32100731
Aztecs14037630

at SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

Game information

Vs. Ohio (Frisco Bowl)

Frisco Bowl: Ohio Bobcats vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Quarter1234Total
Bobcats3143727
Aztecs00000

at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

Game information

Honors

Mountain West

TeamPlayerPositionYear
First Keith Ismael OLSO
FirstKyahva TezinoLBJR
SecondRyan PopeOLSR
SecondJohn BaronPKSR
SecondTariq ThompsonDBSO
HonorableParker BaldwinDBSR
HonorableNoble HallDLSR
HonorableBrandon HeicklenPJR
Honorable Kahale Warring TEJR
HonorableJuwan WashingtonRBJR

[40]

Players drafted into the NFL

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
386 Kahale Warring TE Houston Texans

References

  1. "2018 San Diego State Aztecs Football Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  2. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  3. "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  4. "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  5. "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  6. "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  7. "Boise State, Fresno State Picked to Win 2018 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles".
  8. "2018 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team".
  9. "San Diego State Football Announces 2018 Slate". Athletics at San Diego State University. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  10. "SDSU Football Releases Start Times, TV Details for 2018 Season". Athletics at San Diego State University. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  11. "Football Releases Game Details for 2018 Opener at Stanford". Athletics at San Diego State University.
  12. "Aztec Football Announces 2018 KGB Skyshow Game". Athletics at San Diego State University. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  13. "San Diego State Aztecs Schedule 2018". ESPN . Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  14. "2018 Football Schedule". San Diego State University Athletics. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  15. "No. 13 Stanford beats San Diego St. 31-10 in season opener". ESPN . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  16. "Football vs San Diego State on 08/31/2018". Athletics at Stanford University . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  17. "Juwan Washington leads San Diego State over Sacramento State". ESPN . Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  18. "SDSU–Sac State Box" (PDF). Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  19. "Agnew, Washington lead SDSU to upset of No. 23 ASU, 28-21". ESPN . Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  20. "Football vs Arizona State on 09/15/2018". Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  21. "Baron, Agnew help San Diego St. beat E. Michigan 23-20 in OT". ESPN . Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  22. "Football vs Eastern Michigan on 09/22/2018". Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  23. "San Diego St. leans on D in upset against Boise State, 19-13". ESPN . Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  24. "San Diego State vs Boise State (Oct 06, 2018)" (PDF). Athletics at Boise State University . Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  25. "Agnew's late TD pass lifts SDSU over Air Force, 21-17". ESPN . Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  26. "Football vs Air Force on 10/12/2018". Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  27. "Baron's 3 FGs help San Diego St. beat San Jose St. 16-13". ESPN . Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  28. "Football vs San Jose State on 10/20/2018". Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  29. "Nevada ends drought against San Diego St. with a 28-24 win". ESPN . Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  30. "Football vs San Diego State on 10/27/2018". Athletics at the University of Nevada, Reno . Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  31. "Washington's 2 TDs help San Diego St. beat New Mexico 31-23". ESPN . Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  32. "Football vs San Diego State on 11/03/2018". Athletics at the University of New Mexico. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  33. "Thomas, UNLV beat San Diego St. 27-24, end 6-game skid". ESPN . Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  34. "Football vs UNLV on 11/10/2018". Athletics at San Diego State University . Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  35. "Fresno St. beats SDSU 23-14, clinches berth in MW title game". ESPN . Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  36. "Football vs San Diego State on 11/17/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno . Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  37. "McDonald, Hawaii hold on for 31-30 OT win over San Diego St". ESPN . Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  38. "Ohio rolls to 27-0 win over San Diego State in Frisco Bowl". ESPN . Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  39. "Ohio vs. San Diego State Football on 12/19/2018". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  40. "Mountain West Announces 2018 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors". Mountain West Conference . Retrieved November 29, 2018.