Eighth place, San Diego State

08-28-2007

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

QUARTERBACKS: The Aztecs’ 2006 season, its first under former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long, was doomed from the start when quarterback Kevin O’Connell injured his thumb in the season opener, an upset loss at home to UTEP. O’Connell regained his role as the team’s No. 1 quarterback in spring drills as a fifth-year senior, but there is inexperience behind him after Kevin Craft left school to play at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. O’Connell, a 6-foot-6, 225-pounder who can run and throw, appeared to be on the verge of a breakout season last year. He showed promise during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons. Redshirt freshman Kelsey Sokoloski and true freshman Ryan Lindley moved up the depth chart to competing for a backup role. Lindley, one of the top quarterback recruits in California, was a recruiting success for Long as the El Capitan High quarterback chose to stay home in San Diego.

RUNNING BACKS: The tough-luck running back in all of college football is fifth-year senior Lynell Hamilton. He turned down Michigan and Oregon to play for SDSU. After earning freshman All-American honors in 2003, a devastating ankle injury at the end of the 2003 season has prevented him from regaining his form. He played in only five games last year with after a knee injury and he missed spring ball and has moved to fullback this year. Atiyyah Henderson, a small but quick back who was honorable mention as a freshman, replaced Hamilton and gained 764 yards but only one touchdown. Henderson is the team’s only returning all-conference honoree. Brandon Bornes played the fullback role, but he has moved to running back and is competing with Henderson for the starting nod. Brandon Sullivan enters his redshirt freshman year. Tyler Campbell, son of Earl, can replace Bornes at fullback.

RECEIVERS: Injuries at quarterback, a lack of a running game and inexperience at wide receiver made it tough for the Aztecs to throw the ball last year. Seniors Brett Swain and Chaz Schilens return as wideouts and are joined by Darren Mougey, who has made the switch from quarterback. Steve Schmidt and Matt Kawulok are at tight end. Swain, playing with a hand injury, led the team with 47 catches for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The offensive line has been holding back the Aztecs’ football program for a number of years now. There are three returning seniors up front with tackles Will Robinson and Mike Kravetz and guard Brandyn Dombrowski that should be able to put together their best seasons with the added experience and strength. Mike Schimdt gained experience last year and will start at left guard. Redshirt freshman Trask Iosefa will take over at center.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Antwan Applewhite was the Aztecs’ only returning All-MWC first-team pick after leading the conference with seven sacks as a junior. But Applewhite foolishly declared early for the draft – against the advice of his coaching staff – and then went undrafted. The Aztecs were too think up front to play a 4-3 and have switched to a 3-4 defense. Senior Ornan Nwansi is the only returning starter, but junior Siaosi Fifita saw plenty of playing time last year. Nwansi and Fifita are the ends and Nick Osborn is at nose tackle.

LINEBACKERS: Linebackers have been the strength of the defense in recent years, and that should be the case again. Senior Brett Martin returns in the middle and junior Russell Allen on the strong side. Allen is a third-year starter and Martin broke into the starting lineup last year. Redshirt freshman B.J. Williams is the rover and sophomore Jerry Milling the weakside linebacker. Depth comes from sophomore Luke Laolagi, redshirt freshman Marcus Yarbrough and senior Freddy Dunkle.

SECONDARY: The Aztecs find themselves caught without a returning starter in the secondary, although strong safety Ray Bass played like a starter in the second half of the season. Bass started six games in all in place of injured starters and returned an interception for a touchdown in a win over UNLV when he earned conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. Sophomore Nick Sanford and junior college transfer Travis Crawford are behind Bass. Senior Corey Boudreaux is the free safety with sophomore T.J. McKay behind him. The cornerbacks are young and inexperienced and vulnerable if the Aztecs can’t mount a pass rush. The No. 1 cornerbacks coming out of spring ball were Scotty James and sophomore Aaron Moore, but junior college transfer Vonnie Holmes is challenging for playing time.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Juniors Michael Hughes and Garrett Palmer both return to handle the kicking duties after two solid seasons. Hughes averaged 41.1 yards a punt last year and Palmer converted 8 of 13 field goals with a long of 48 and 20 of 20 PATs. Tyler Schmitt is one of the top long snappers on the West Coast and is back for his junior season.

Returning starters: 15

Offense 9; QB: 1; RB: 2; WR/TE: 3; OL: 3; Defense 4; DL: 2; LB: 2; DB: 0; ST: 2

2006 Record: 3-9

2006 Conf. Record: 3-5

Head Coach: Chuck Long (2)

Last Bowl Appearance: 1998 Las Vegas Bowl; Lost to North Carolina 20-13

2006 Turnover Ratio: -7

Home Surface: Grass

Returning Lettermen: 41

Lettermen Lost: 21

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple