After an off-season of massive change, San Diego State is looking for a fast start to the football season Saturday.
And they mean fast – AztecFAST.
New head coach Sean Lewis has installed the new “AztecFAST” offense to pile up points, disorient opponents and re-energize a fan base that yearns for a winning season.
That offense will be on display at 5 p.m. Saturday as the Aztecs host Texas A&M – Commerce in their season opener at Snapdragon Stadium.
Lewis was announced as SDSU’s new coach in November, replacing Brady Hoke. Lewis comes from Kent State, where he was head coach for four years. He last served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Colorado, under star coach Deion Sanders, with coaching jobs at Syracuse, Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois along the way.
He brings to San Diego a reputation for having innovative, high-scoring offenses. Since his arrival, he’s worked to reconfigure an Aztecs style mostly known for its rushing attack and defense.
Not surprisingly, “fast” is a recurring theme for Lewis.
“I’ve been really pleased with the staff, and everyone’s alignment to how we need to practice to play in this manner, to get the reps and accumulate those reps and spend time on task at the manner in which we need to do it so that those guys can feel confident to think fast, know fast and play fast in our fast style of play,” Lewis said at a press conference earlier this summer.
But Lewis and the offense aren’t the only new things for fans this year. A new quarterback arrived in freshman Danny O’Neil, who played at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. O’Neil becomes the first true freshman in Aztecs history to enter the season as the starting quarterback.
“There’s no promise for week two or anything like that, so long as everyone is
competing and working hard it’s going to be a competition all year,” O’Neil told San Diego Sports 760.
While much of the roster has changed, some seniors remain, including running back Jaylon Armstead, who led the team with eight rushing touchdowns last year, wide receiver Mekhi Shaw and, on defense, linebacker Cody Moon and defensive lineman Tupu Aluala.
One key player, running back Kenon Christon, is expected to be out several weeks
following ankle surgery.
The Aztecs, picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the 12-team Mountain West conference this year – Boise State, UNLV and Fresno State topped the preseason poll – face Texas A&M Commerce, which has been picked next-to-last in the Southland conference in its league poll. The Aztecs are favored by 33.5 points Saturday.
Tickets are available through GoAztecs.com. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on truTV.
