San Diego State, after a bye, will try to return to the win column at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Central Michigan after two straight bruising losses.
The Aztecs are off to a 1-2 start, and in the second setback, against Cal on Sept. 14, they trailed just 7-3 at the break. But the Bears scored on their first four possessions of the second half on the way to a 31-10 victory.
The Chippewas are 2-2 after opening MAC play last Saturday with a 37-34 win over Ball State.
“They have dangerous, explosive playmakers on offense and a very sound defensive scheme,” said head coach Sean Lewis. “If you give them a chance, like their pick-six week one, they’re opportunistic. They get their hands on it, and they’re able to change the course of the game that way.”
San Diego State meets Central Michigan for the second time after winning the 2019 New Mexico Bowl, 48-11, in Albuquerque.
It’s unclear yet who fans will see at quarterback, the injured true freshman Danny O’Neil or redshirt freshman Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson. Two people they won’t see are wide receiver Baylin Brooks and cornerback Bennett Walker.
Both announced their departures from the team on social media this week.
Brooks said he will opt for the transfer portal, but added that he is “grateful for SDSU & wish them nothing but success. I am excited to continue my football career.”
Walker, a Patrick Henry High alum, wrote that he was “extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play for my hometown,” but also would “enter the portal this December with 1 year of eligibility.”
