MIDDLES TENNESSEE STATE BLUE RAIDERS NOTES:
OPENING KICK u MTSU ranks 3rd nationally with 6 blocked kicks this year, which is the most since they had 6 in 2010. CB Decorian Patterson’s six interceptions ranks 2nd nationally and equals the third-most ever in a season at MTSU. Punter Kyle Ulbrich leads C-USA and ranks 6th nationallly in punting with a career-best 46.2 yard average. MTSU, which led the nation last year with 32 turnovers gained, has forced 25 in 12 games this season to rank 6th nationally. MTSU will have 17 current players on its roster playing the bowl game with a degree in hand. The student-athletes are Yusuf Ali, Darius Bracy, Jordan Branch, Jonathan Butler, Chase Cunningham, Christian Dixon, Jordan Ferguson, Izaiah Gathings, Richard Kinley, Jordan Palmer, Teldrick Ross, Jahlil Ryles, Jorden Starling, Jeremy Tate, Marquel Tinsley, Kyle Ulbrich, and Ja’Kerrius Wyatt. MTSU is 46-32 all-time in C-USA play (2018 title game not included). Consecutive Starts: K. Ulbrich (38), J. Ferguson (34).
u Under Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders have been involved in 27 games that were decided in the final minute of regulation or overtime. The team is 16-11 in those games and have won 12 of the last 17. In 211 games under Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders are +36 in turnover margin.
u MTSU has scored 30 or more points 94 times in 213 games under Rick Stockstill. Between Rick Stockstill (17), Tommy West (15), Mitch Stewart (-4) and Scott Shafer (3) the MTSU staff has a combined 39 years of head coaching experience with all but one year at the FBS level. The 2022 season is the 108th for Blue Raider football and the 24th at the FBS level.
A LOOK AT THE SERIES
The Blue Raiders and Aztecs will be meeting in football for the first time.
BOWL HISTORY
The Hawai’i Bowl will mark the 14th bowl Middle Tennessee has participated in during its football history but 10th in the FBS era. MT faced Central Michigan in the 2006 Motor City Bowl (lost 31-14), then defeated Southern Miss (42-32) in the 2009 New Orleans Bowl. MT went on to the 2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl where they fell to Miami (OH) (35-21) before falling to Navy in the 2013 Armed Forces Bowl (24-6). MT lost to W. Michigan in the 2015 Bahamas Bowl (45-31) and fell to Hawaii in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl before winning the 2017 Camellia Bowl and later falling to Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl in 2018. The Blue Raiders defeated Toledo in the 2021 Bahamas Bowl, 31-24. Prior to the FBS era, the Raiders competed in the 1956 Refrigerator Bowl, the 1960 and 1961 Tangerine Bowl, and the 1964 Grantland Rice Bowl.
CURTIS NAMED CFN FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN
The 2022 College Football News Freshman All-American Team was announced in early December and Middle Tennessee’s Devyn Curtis was chosen for the Third Team. Curtis, a linebacker from nearby Nashville, Tenn., turned in a solid season in his first campaign as a full-time starter. He ended the regular season fifth on the team with 50 total stops to go with two tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and one forced fumble. An 11-game starter this year, Curtis was second among all linebackers with 504 snaps played. In a critical game against Charlotte, the freshman registered six tackles to go with a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Curtis becomes the eighth Freshman All-American in school history and the seventh under Rick Stockstill. He is the first on the defensive side of the ball since Kevin Byard in 2012.
FERGUSON EMBARKING ON SACK RECORD
Redshirt senior Jordan Ferguson is on the verge of becoming MTSU’s all-time sack leader. The Atlanta, Ga., native enters the bowl game with 2.0 career sacks which stands second on the all-time list and ranks tied for 13th among all active NCAA FBS players. He needs one more to takeover the career record from Blue Raider Hall of Famer Erik Walden (22.5 from 2004-07). Ferguson has 9.0 sacks on the season which matches his career-high and ranks third-most on the single-season list at MTSU.
COMING IN HOT
QB Chase Cunningham, who had to miss last year’s bowl game with a season-ending injury, is coming into the postseason on an uptick. After missing the Charlotte game with an injury, Cunningham has been on fire the last two contests. In the two games, Cunningham has completed 69 of 96 (.719) passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. The Knoxville native has a career-high 2,920 passing yards this season and can become just the second different Blue Raider to top 3,000 yards in a season (Brent Stockstill did it three times). Cunningham also enjoyed multiple 400-yard passing games to become just the second Blue Raider to accomplish that feat for a career and season.
PATTERSON IS NO. 2 NATIONALLY
Junior Decorian Patterson enters the bowl game ranking second nationally in interceptions with six. He is just one behind the national leader. The six picks is a new single-season high for Patterson and goes down as tied for the third most in school history. Four of his six interceptions have come on the road.
ROSS SHINING IN SECONDARY
Junior cornerback Teldrick Ross is quietly having a record-breaking season in the Blue Raider secondary. Ross leads C-USA and ranks 3rd nationally with 19 passes defended (18 pass breakups, 1 INT). The Macon, Ga., native has 12 pass breakups combined over the last four games and 18 for the season. The 18 pass breakups is a new single-season record at MTSU and the 19 passes defended ranks tied for second.
LANE LEADING RECEIVERS
Sophomore Jaylin Lane, who missed the JMU and Charlotte games with an injury, is enjoying a solid season. In his last eight games combined (missed most of second half vs LT with injury), Lane has 52 receptions for 728 yards and four touchdowns and is averaging 82.9 yards per game to rank 29th nationally. Lane enjoyed a career game against UTSA when he equaled his personal-best with 10 grabs for a career-high 179 yards. He also owns 1,068 all-purpose yards in his last eight games combined.
DISRUPTIVE DEFENSE
The Blue Raider defense, anchored by a strong group up front, is back to their disruptive ways. The unit enters the bowl game ranked in the top 5 nationally in four categories. The defense is No. 2 in red zone defense (.674), No. 3 in interceptions (17), No. 4 in defensive touchdowns (4) and No. 6 in turnovers gained (25).
RAIDERS LED NATION IN TURNOVERS GAINED; BACK AT IT AGAIN
The Middle Tennessee defense, which owns 25 forced turnovers in 2022, enjoyed one of its best seasons ever in forcing turnovers in ‘21. The unit led the nation with 32 turnovers gained, which went down as the most by an MTSU team since the 2013 squad had 33 (also had 33 in 2009). Broken down, the Blue Raiders gained 15 fumble recoveries and 17 interceptions. The 15 fumble recoveries were the most since getting 18 in 2013 and the 17 picks went down as the most since 2015 (17). In 2022, MTSU has 17 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
DEFENSE LIKES THE ENDZONE
In 2021, the Blue Raider defense had a knack of forcing turnovers but was equally impressive in reaching the endzone. The defense scored six times to share the national lead with Nevada and Ohio State. The defense scored on three interceptions and three fumble returns. The six scores were the most by a Blue Raider defense in the FBS era which started in 1999. The unit has 12 scores in the last three years combined, including four after 12 games in 2022.
BLOCK PARTY
Under Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raiders own 54 total blocked kicks in 211 games. That total breaks down as 27 field goals, 21 punts and six PATs. MTSU has at least one blocked kick in all 17 years under Stockstill. The Blue Raiders, who have six blocked kicks this year to rank 3rd nationally, had four blocked kicks last year to rank tied for 10th nationally. The six blocks are the most by the Blue Raiders since they had six rejections in 2010.
6TH & 5TH YEAR PLAYERS
Middle Tennessee is playing the 2022 campaign with a total of 15 players who will be in their fifth or sixth year of college. The Blue Raiders have six, sixth year players and nine, fifth year players. The six year players are Yusuf Ali, Darius Bracy, Chase Cunningham, Christian Dixon, Jordan Ferguson and Ja’Kerrius Wyatt. The fifth year players are Jordan Branch, Tyler Falvey, Izaiah Gathings, Decorian Patterson, Teldrick Ross, Jahlil Ryles, Jalen Rayam, Jorden Starling and Jeremy Tate.
RED ZONE UPDATE
Dating back to 2019, Middle Tennessee has scored 125 times in their last 148 red zone appearances. The Blue Raiders went 37-for-45 in 2021 and finished 14-for-17 in their last four games combined. In the seven wins last season MTSU went 26-for-30 in the red zone. MTSU is 41-for-51 in 2022.
12 of 17
u In 17 complete years under Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee has reached bowl eligibility 12 times and 11 times in the last 14 years. The Blue Raiders have been bowl eligible under Stockstill in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022.
WINNING TURNOVER BATTLE
Winning the turnover battle is critical in collecting victories in football. Under Rick Stockstill, MTSU has a mark of 72-23 when winning the turnover battle and is 59-12 during bowl eligible years (2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). Over the last 132 games (since 2012), MTSU is 47-12 when winning the turnover battle.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Defensive Scores: Under Rick Stockstill, the Blue Raider defense has scored 44 defensive touchdowns, and 39 have come since 2009. Of the 44 scores, 29 have been interceptions and 15 have come by way of fumble returns. 39 Times Under Shafer: Middle Tennessee’s defense has held the opposition to under 400 yards of total offense in 39 of 72 games under Scott Shafer. MTSU did it nine times in 2017, nine times in 2018, three times in 2019, five times in 2020 and seven times in 2021. In six years under Scott Shafer, the Blue Raider defense has averaged 27.1 (163) sacks and 77.2 (463) tackles for loss. The Blue Raiders have 33 sacks entering the bowl game and the single-season record is 38 set in 2009.
u The Blue Raider defense leads C-USA in red zone defense and ranks 2nd nationally. LB Jalen Davis recorded a personal-best 3.0 TFLs against JMU which was one more than he had his entire career entering the game. Davis had five total solo tackles for the game. DE Jordan Ferguson’s 71-yard fumble return for a TD against FAU (2021) went down as the longest play by a defensive lineman under Rick Stockstill and was the fourth lineman to score a TD under Stockstill with two being in 2021. MTSU owns two shutouts since entering C-USA play in 2013. MTSU defeated FIU 48-0 in 2013 and downed Alabama A&M in 2016, 55-0. The most forced turnovers in the FBS era is seven against Charlotte in 2015. The most in school history is 9 against Akron in 1985. u The longest fumble returns in the Rick Stockstill era are 100 yards by Rod Isaac vs WKU in 2010, 90-yards by Reed Blankenship against Marshall in 2021 and 71 yards by Jordan Ferguson at FAU in 2021.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
MTSU has nine current players with at least one blocked kick in their career. The nine are: Jalen Jackson (FG), Zaylin Wood (FG), Jorden Starling (FG), Ralph Mency (Punt), Jordan Ferguson (FG), Taharin Sudderth (Punt), Parker Hughes (Punt), Decorian Patterson (FG) and Marley Cook (Punt). Placekicker Zeke Rankin had made 11 straight field goals entering the FAU game before he missed. The 11 consecutive makes ranks as the second longest streak in school history. Kyle Ulbrich boomed a career long 75-yard punt at FIU in 2020 which went down as the fifth longest in school history. For his career, Ulbrich has 62 punts of 50 or more yards and is the only player in school history with at least three punts of 70 or more yards. Jalen Montgomery recorded his first collegiate touchdown when he returned a blocked punt 19 yards in a win over TSU. Montgomery is a walk-on runningback. MTSU has at least one blocked kick each year under Stockstill.
RAIDER ROUNDUP
The top-scoring quarter in the Rick Stockstill era is the second quarter. Here is a combined total for each quarter: 1st – 1,410 points; 2nd – 1,793 points; 3rd – 1,147 points; 4th – 1,493 points; and 76 in overtime. When both teams are held under 20 points, the Blue Raiders are 3-1 under Rick Stockstill. As a FBS (I-A) member (290 games), MTSU has scored 50 or more points 25 times. The Blue Raiders are 108-19 in the FBS era when leading at the half and are 117-13 when leading a game entering the 4th quarter. When trailing at the half, the Blue Raiders are just 24-118 in the FBS (I-A) era. The Blue Raiders saw their streak of scoring in 90 consecutive games come to an end at Army in 2020. However, MTSU has scored in 144 straight home games (last shutout was 9/23/1995 vs Murray State). Largest margin of victory in the I-A era: 59 points vs Charlotte 9/19/15 (73-14) … Largest margin of defeat in the I-A era: 59 points vs Oklahoma 9/23/06 (59-0). Raiders in the NFL: MTSU currently has nine players on NFL rosters: Kevin Byard (Titans), Darius Harris (Chiefs), Charvarius Ward (49ers), Richie James (Giants), Robert Jones (Dolphins), Reed Blankenship (Eagles), DQ Thomas (Packers), Jovante Moffatt (Falcons), and Chandler Brewer (Rams)
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS NOTES:
SAN DIEGO STATE SET FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE AT EASYPOST HAWAI‘I BOWL
San Diego State is set to compete in its 12th bowl game in 13 seasons (since 2010) when it takes on Middle Tennessee State in the EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 24. The Aztecs (7-5) are playing in their 20th bowl game all-time and 16th in its Division I era (since 1969). SDSU is 10-9 all-time in bowl games and 7-8 in bowl games in its DI era. San Diego State is playing in its 12th bowl game since 2010. Only seven schools have played in all 13 over that stretch – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin. n The Aztecs are looking to win their third consecutive bowl game for the first time in their DI era and first time overall since winning four straight from 1951-1969 (1951, 1966, 1967 and 1969). The modest two-game bowl winning streak for SDSU includes a 48-11 win over Central Michigan in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl and a 38-24 victory over No. 24/25 UTSA in the 2021 Frisco Bowl. San Diego State withdrew from bowl consideration in the shortened 2020 COVID season with a 4-4 record. The Aztecs are playing in the Hawai‘i Bowl for the second time after beating Cincinnati, 42-7, in the 2015 bowl. SDSU and Blue Raiders (7-5) have never met. San Diego State is 25-5 all-time against current Conference USA members, including a 38-24 win against 2021 C-USA champion UTSA in last year’s Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas. The Aztecs are playing their 29th game out of the last 36 away from San Diego County. Prior to this season, SDSU had played its previous 23 games (two-plus seasons) out of San Diego County, including 12 “home” contests at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, some two hours away from the San Diego State campus. This year was the first season of Snapdragon Stadium near the old SDCCU/Qualcomm/Jack Murphy/San Diego Stadium location in Mission Valley. The Aztecs rallied from a 2-3 start by winning five of their final seven games (5-2) to clinch a 13th consecutive .500 or better season. That is tied for the sixth-longest streak nationally and is the longest streak among Pacific Time Zone teams. In 12 of those 13 seasons, SDSU has posted a winning record. Only nine schools have more wins than San Diego State’s 19 over the last two seasons (since 2021), including Georgia (27), Michigan (25), Alabama (23), UTSA (23), Cincinnati (22), Ohio State (22), Clemson (21), Utah (20) and Coastal Carolina (20). San Diego State continues to play its best football, posting a 5-2 record since head coach Brady Hoke made coaching changes in the beginning of October (moving associate head coach/running backs coach Jeff Horton to offensive coordinator and adding Ryan Lindley to the staff as the quarterbacks coach) and Jalen Mayden became the team’s quarterback. The Aztec defense has also been stellar since it’s bye week (idle week) on Oct. 15. See improvements on page 3 of notes. DE Jonah Tavai, P Jack Browning and KR Jordan Byrd have each recently earned All-America accolades for their 2022 play. Tavai was named a first-team selection by Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report, a second-team pick by Associated Press and USA Today, and an honorable-mention selection by College Football Network. Browning, meanwhile, is a second-team honoree at punter by Pro Football Focus and an honorable mention punter by College Football Network, while Byrd was an honorable mention kick returner by Phil Steele Magazine. Browning was also named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. An Aztec has now won the award five times (all over the last eight years), the most in the 24-year history of MW. For a fourth straight year, SDSU had the most first-team all-MW selections with seven. San Diego State also had the most combined first and second teamers (11) and the most all-conference selections overall (16). The 16 all-league selections for the Aztecs tied a program best (also 2001). Making the first team were C Alama Uluave, Byrd at both kick and punt returner, Jo. Tavai, LB Caden McDonald, S Patrick McMorris and Browning at punter. On the second team for SDSU were WR Tyrell Shavers, TE Mark Redman, OL Cade Bennett and LB Michael Shawcroft. San Diego State also had five honorable mentions, including QB Jalen Mayden, WR Jesse Matthews, DL Keshawn Banks, CB Dez Malone and CB Dallas Branch.
A TALE OF TWO SEASONS / OFFENSE
Below is a comparison of the first five games for San Diego State and the last seven after making coaching changes (moving associate head coach/running backs coach Jeff Horton to offensive coordinator and adding Ryan Lindley to the staff as the quarterbacks coach) and Jalen Mayden became the team’s quarterback (since Oct. 8).
(Rankings out of 131 schools in parenthesis) Scoring Total Off. Passing 1stD 3rdD% TOP Penalties Record
First Five Games 19.0 (116) 258.2 (127) 65.6 (131) 62 (130) 18.2 (131) 28:21 (101) 44 (122) 2-3 (83)
Last Seven Games 23.0 (89) 367.0 (78) 246.1 (47) 129 (92) 37.9 (70) 32:39 (15) 43 (75) 5-2 (21)
A TALE OF TWO SEASONS / DEFENSE
Defensively, San Diego State is looking more like its defense of the last decade following its bye week (since Oct. 22). (Rankings out of 131 schools in parenthesis when applicable)
Scoring Total Def. Rushing Sacks TFL QB Pressures Forced TO
First Six Games 23.8 (49) 394.2 (86) 166.7 (92) 1.3 4.8 16.2 1.5
Last Six Games 16.5 (9) 276.7 (5) 91.0 (12) 3.5 8.0 19.2 1.7
PROGRAM-AT-A-GLANCE
Since the start of the 2015 campaign, San Diego State is 72-29 with a 71.3 winning percentage (10th nationally) (Top 20 listed on Page 3 on the right) and the Aztecs are 71-26 (73.2 percent) since Oct. 3, 2015 (10th nationally). SDSU had five double-digit victory seasons from 2015-21. Only eight schools in the nation can say that – San Diego State, Alabama, Appalachian State, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Only nine schools have more wins than SDSU’s 19 over the last two seasons (since 2021), including Georgia (27), Michigan (25), Alabama (23), UTSA (23), Cincinnati (22), Ohio State (22), Clemson (21), Utah (20) and Coastal Carolina (20). San Diego State has posted 13 consecutive seasons with at least a .500 record. That is tied for the sixth-longest streak nationally and is the longest streak among Pacific Time Zone teams. In 12 of those 13 seasons, the Aztecs have posted a winning record. The Aztecs are playing in their 12th bowl game since 2010. Only seven schools have played in all 13 over that stretch – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin. Since the start of the 2019 campaign, San Diego State is 23-8 in games decided by seven or more points (8-2 last year). The Aztecs are 23-9 in their last 32 games decided by one score (started with 27-24 win at Wyoming in 2016 Mountain West Championship game). SDSU’s eight-game winning streak in one-score games was snapped Oct. 29 at Fresno State (L, 32-28). San Diego State is 47-17 in its last 64 regular-season games against Mountain West opponents. Brady Hoke is the only active college coach to lead three different FBS programs (Ball State, Michigan and SDSU) to an 11-win season and one of only two coaches overall since 1996 (also Urban Meyer with Utah, Florida and Ohio State).
TRENDING
Searching for the formula to a San Diego State victory? Look no further.
OFFENSIVE KEYS
San Diego State is 54-2 the last 56 times it has rushed for 200 yards. The Aztecs surpassed 200 yards rushing in the first five games last season (SDSU won all five games) and twice this season (vs. Idaho State on Sept. 10 and vs. Toledo on Sept. 14). The Aztecs are 82-16 since 2011 when committing one turnover or less, something SDSU has done in 35 of its last 47 games. SDSU has an advantage in time of possession in 30 of the last 46 games. Since 2011, the Aztecs are 34-7 when possessing the football for at least 35 minutes.
DEFENSIVE KEYS
The Aztecs are 70-4 since 2011 when holding the opposition to 17 points or less. SDSU has held 26 of its last 43 opponents to 17 points or less. San Diego State has won 20 of its last 22 games when forcing at least two turnovers (SDSU’s 17-game winning streak came to an end on Sept. 3 vs. Arizona) and 30 straight games when forcing at least three turnovers. San Diego State is 75-6 in its Division I history when owning at least a plus-3 turnover advantage, something it has done twice this year (vs. Toledo and vs. UNLV). The Aztecs are 33-9 since 2011 when allowing less than 150 passing yards. San Diego State is 60-6 the last 66 times it has held the opposition to a 33.3 percent or less mark on third down. Since 2009, San Diego State’s record broken down by opponent passing efficiency: less than 110: 66-10; between 110-150: 44-24; greater than 150: 7-27. Since the start of the 2015 campaign, SDSU is 44-4 when holding its opponent to a passing efficiency rating of below 110. SDSU did that in eight of 14 games last season and has done it five of 12 games this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS / OVERALL TRENDS
The Aztecs are 47-2 the last 49 times when owning a turnover advantage. San Diego State has won 16 straight games when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent. San Diego State is 30-3 the last 33 times it has an advantage in field position. Since the start of the 2015 season, San Diego State has 14 kickoff returns for touchdowns, the most in FBS play over that time. To put that stat into perspective, 15 other teams have played at least 60 games over that span and do not have a single kick return touchdown. Since the start of the 2020 season, San Diego State has 14 non-offensive touchdowns, tied with Houston and Pittsburgh for the third most in the country over that span, trailing only Middle Tennessee State (16) and Alabama (15). San Diego State has five non-offensive touchdowns this year, including a blocked punt recovery in the end zone to score against Arizona on Sept. 3, a returned a punt for a touchdown against Idaho on Sept. 10, a blocked punt and return at Boise State on Sept. 30, a fumble return at Nevada on Oct. 22 and a kick return touchdown against San Jose State on Nov. 12. The five non-offensive touchdowns are tied for fifth most in the country, only trailing Western Kentucky (7), Middle Tennessee State (6), Mississippi State (6) and Pittsburgh (6). SDSU has won 33 of its last 34 games leading after three quarters (34-4 in Brady Hoke era) (30-game winning streak was snapped at Fresno State on Oct. 29).
OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
Of all FBS schools that have played at least 65 games since 2015, San Diego State’s 111 turnovers only trail LSU (107), Michigan (108) and Navy (109) for the fewest in the country. San Diego State is 61-13 since 2015 when scoring just 20 or more points (4-2 this year). n The Aztecs are 47-4 the last 51 times they have scored at least 30 points (3-0 this year). SDSU has won its last 12 games when scoring at least 30 points. SDSU scored 43 points against San Jose State on Nov. 12, its most in a game since scoring 48 against Towson on Sept. 25, 2021, most against an FBS opponent since scoring 48 vs. Central Michigan in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 21) and its most in a Mountain West game since scoring 52 at San Jose State on Nov. 4, 2017. SDSU has won 19 straight games when scoring 40 points (8-0 under Brady Hoke). San Diego State has scored 38 unanswered points twice this season – Sept. 10 vs. Idaho State and Nov. 12 vs. San Jose State. SDSU is 27-6 since 2011 when having at least 36 minutes of time of possession. San Diego State has won nine straight games when not committing a turnover (11-0 under Brady Hoke). Since the beginning of 2014, SDSU is 66-14 when committing one turnover or less (13 straight win streak was snapped at Boise State on Sept. 30) and 13-21 when having two or more turnovers in the game. San Diego State has one turnover or less in 32 of its last 44 games. San Diego State has one turnover or less in 53 of its last 74 games. SDSU is 55-10 in its last 65 games when owning an edge in time of possession (5-0 this season). The Aztecs are 19-5 under Brady Hoke when totaling just 400 yards of offense. SDSU’s 54.5 third-down conversion percentage at Fresno State on Oct. 29 was its highest since a 58.8 mark at Brigham Young on Dec. 12, 2020. an Diego State had a 7-minute scoring drive against Nevada on Oct. 22, its longest drive of the season (previous longest was 5:10 against Hawai’i on Oct. 8). San Diego State had just four first downs, 93 yards and six points in its first seven opening possessions this season, but against Fresno State on Oct. 29 had four first downs, 82 yards and seven points on their opening possession. SDSU beat San Jose State, 43-27, on Nov. 12. The 70 combined points were the most in an Aztec game since falling to Army West Point, 42-35, in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23) and the most in an Aztec win since beating Northern Illinois, 42-28, on Sept. 17, 2016. It marked the first time in SDSU’s Division I history that it scored exactly 43 points. San Diego State averaged 7.17 yards per play at New Mexico on Nov. 18, its highest mark since a 9.03 average vs. Army West Point in the 2017 Armed Forced Bowl, and highest in a win since a 7.98 mark against New Mexico on Nov. 24, 2017. The Aztecs outgained the Lobos by 250 yards, their largest margin since outgaining Utah State by 355 on Oct. 21, 2020. LG Cade Bennett has played 748 of the team’s 755 offensive snaps this season, the most on the team.
RUSHING OFFENSE
San Diego State is 54-2 the last 55 times it has rushed for at least 200 yards (2-0 this year) and is 51-1 in its last 52 regular-season games when rushing for 200-plus yards. The Aztecs have won 12 straight games when rushing for at least 200 yards. San Diego State has a 100-yard rusher in 49 of the last 101 games since 2015 (61, 100-yard rushers total). Since Jeff Horton arrived as the running back coach in 2011, SDSU has a 100-yard rusher in 83 of the 153 games and 99, 100-yard rushers overall. San Diego State had two 100-yard rushers at New Mexico State (Jordan Byrd – 118 and Chance Bell – 116) on Sept. 14, 2019 for the 30th time in program history. The Aztecs are 29-1 in those occasions, including a 19-game win streak. San Diego State ran for 380 yards against Idaho State on Sept. 10, its most in a game since running for 407 at Utah State on Oct. 31, 2020. The Aztecs averaged 8.84 yards per run in the Idaho State game, their highest average in a game since averaging 12.14 yards against Army in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23). SDSU outrushed Idaho State by 300 yards, its largest margin since outrushing Utah State by 304 on Oct. 31, 2020. San Diego State is 27-6 in the Brady Hoke era when outrushing its opponent (5-2 this year). SDSU’s rushing average this season by down – 1st: 4.4; 2nd: 3.6; 3rd: 3.1 and 4th: 11.8. San Diego State’s rushing average this season by quarter – 1st: 4.1; 2nd: 3.6; 3rd: 4.4 and 4th: 4.4 – and by half – 1st: 3.8 and 2nd: 4.4. Bell ranks 24th all-time at SDSU with 1,391 rushing yards, while Byrd is 25th (1,352). Byrd had a 73-yard touchdown at Utah State on Oct. 31, 2020, the longest by an Aztec since Rashaad Penny’s 81-yard touchdown run against Army West Point in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23). Byrd ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Toledo on Sept. 24. It was his third career 100-yard rushing game and first since the 2019 New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 31) when he ran for a career-high 139 yards. RB Jaylon Armstead ranks sixth in the Mountain West in rushing yards per attempt (6.02, T-48th in MW). Armstead ran for 96 yards against Idaho State on Sept. 10 in just five carries. The 19.2 average was the second-highest by an Aztec since at least 1996 (min. 5 att.), trailing only Rashaad Penny’s 20.8 average at Nevada on Nov. 12, 2006. Armstead’s 19.2 average is also the eighth-highest average in a FBS game this season (min. 5 att.). RB Kenan Christon ran for 102 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries (10.2 avg.) at New Mexico on Nov. 18. It was his second career 100-yard rushing game and first since rushing for 103 in his first college game at USC against Arizona on Oct. 19, 2019. He became the 81st Aztec with a 100-yard rushing game. He also became the first Aztec since Rashaad Penny against Army West Point on Dec. 23, 2017 and just the third Aztec overall since 2000 (has now happened eight times overall) to average at least 10 yards per carry on at least 10 attempts. If you take away the six times QB Braxton Burmeister has been sacked this year (for 34 yards), he has rushed 32 times for 214 yards (6.7 avg.) and a touchdown. Among quarterbacks, QB Jalen Mayden ranks eighth in the Mountain West with 205 rushing yards, while Burmeister ranks ninth
(183). If you take away the 15 times Mayden has been sacked this year (for 84 yards), he has rushed 42 times for 289 yards (6.9 avg.) with three touchdowns. The three rushing scores are tied for the fifth most among Mountain West quarterbacks. Since Mayden has moved to quarterback for the Oct. 8 game against Hawai’i, among Mountain West quarterbacks he is ranked fourth in rushing yards (205) and a tie for third in rushing touchdowns (3).
PASSING OFFENSE
Since the start of the 2015 season, San Diego State has thrown 47 interceptions, the third-fewest picks in the nation over that span behind Navy’s 41 (min. 65 GP) and Air Force’s 45. In contrast, Purdue has thrown 110 interceptions over that span, which is the most since 2015. SDSU has won five straight games when throwing for at least 300 yards (1-0 this year). The Aztecs threw multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games from Oct. 29-Nov. 18 for first time since a four-game stretch in 2016 (Nov. 5-26). San Diego State out-passed Hawai’i, 322-196, on Oct. 8. The 126-yard margin is its largest since out-passing Fresno State by 187 yards on Nov. 15, 2019 (W, 17-7). SDSU recorded its highest pass efficiency rating (206.14) vs. San Jose State on Nov. 12 since a 213.15 mark at Arizona on Sept. 11, 2021. QB Braxton Burmeister took the loss in his starting debut against Arizona in the 2022 opener. He’s just the second quarterback to lose his starting debut over the last eight chances (SDSU quarterbacks were 1-13 in the previous 14 debuts prior to this stretch) as Jalen Mayden won his debut vs. Hawai’i on Oct. 8. Mayden is 5-2 as the team’s starting quarterback (SDSU was 2-3 prior to Mayden taking over at quarterback). Mayden leads the Mountain West in yards per completion (14.11, 7th in FBS), yards per attempt (8.87, 12th in FBS) and total offense yards per play (7.67, 19th in FBS), second in pass efficiency rating (147.20, 37th in FBS), third in completion percentage (62.89, 55th in FBS), tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (10), and seventh in passing yards (1,721), passing yards per game (143.42) and total offense per game (160.50), despite playing his first five games at safety and on special teams, and only playing seven games at quarterback. Since Mayden has moved to quarterback for the Oct. 8 game against Hawai’i, he is ranked first in yards per completion (14.11, min. 50 att.) and yards per attempt (8.87, min. 50 att.), second in passing yards (1,721), third in pass efficiency (147.2, min. 50 att.) and yards per game (245.9), and fifth in touchdown passes (10). Mayden accounted for 11 touchdowns over a four-game stretch (nine passing, two rushing) from Oct. 29-Nov. 18. Mayden had a monster starting debut vs. Hawai’i on Oct. 8, throwing for 322 yards and a touchdown. The 322 yards were just six passing yards shy (328) of what San Diego State had for its first five games of the season. Mayden’s 322 yards were the most by an Aztec quarterback in their starting debut since current quarterbacks coach Ryan Lindley threw for 352 against Cal Poly on Aug. 30, 2008 and the most in a debut in an Aztec win since Kevin McKechnie threw for 371 against Navy on Sept. 5, 1997. Mayden became the 27th different Aztec with a 300-yard passing game (127th time overall). At Fresno State on Oct. 29, Mayden had another good game with four overall touchdowns, including his first multi-touchdown passing game and first multi-touchdown rushing game. He was 19-for-24 for 291 yards and two touchdowns (and two interceptions), while rushing for 43 yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts (5.4 avg.). Mayden became just the second SDSU quarterback since at least 1996 with at least two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, joining Ryan Katz (Oct. 6, 2012 vs. Hawai’i). Mayden had another two touchdown passes with 216 yards (19-for-31) against UNLV on Nov. 5. Mayden had another big game against San Jose State on Nov. 12 en route to being named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week (the first by an Aztec quarterback since Ryan Katz on Oct. 8, 2012), throwing for 268 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes (to three different receivers), rallying SDSU back from a 14-0 deficit. Against a team that ranked in the top 30 on defense in passing (28th, 196.50), rushing (28th, 120.38), total (20th, 316.88) and pass efficiency (34th, 122.58), SDSU managed 268 passing yards, 157 rushing yards, 425 yards and a 206.14 pass efficiency rating under his quarterbacking. The 206.14 pass efficiency rating was the highest allowed by San Jose State since a 245.7 mark against San Diego State on Nov. 4, 2017. The 14- point deficit overcome was SDSU’s largest (win or loss) since also overcoming a 14-point deficit at San Jose State on Nov. 9, 2013, SJSU’s first year in the league. Mayden also ran 13 times for 61 yards including 69 yards on 11 carries when taking away the two times he was sacked. Mayden threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns in a win at New Mexico, while adding 38 rushing yards on five carries. It was his fourth straight multiple touchdown game, the first time an Aztec quarterback has accomplished that since Christian Chapman in 2016 (Nov. 5-26). Mayden earned honorable mention from the Mountain West coaches and media, becoming the first Aztec quarterback since Ryan Lindley in 2010 (second team) to earn all-MW honors.
WR Jesse Matthews ranks eighth in school history in receptions (167), 14th in receiving yards (2,010) and tied for 14th in receiving touchdowns (15). Matthews had a streak of three straight games with a touchdown catch after not having one the first seven games of the year, but it was snapped at New Mexico on Nov. 18. Matthews ranked eighth in the Mountain West last year in receiving touchdowns (9, T-31st in FBS). The nine touchdown catches for Matthews were the most by an Aztec since Vincent Brown had 10 in 2010 and tied for the 11th most in a season.
Matthews had a then career-high nine receptions for 75 yards and three touchdowns at UNLV on Nov. 19. The three touchdown catches for the most by an Aztec since Colin Lockett had three in the 2011 New Orleans Bowl, while the nine catches were then the most at SDSU since Mikah Holder had nine at UNLV on Oct. 7, 2017. Matthews had career highs of 11 catches and 175 yards, along with two touchdowns, en route to being named the offensive most valuable player at the 2021 Frisco Bowl. The 11 receptions were the most by an Aztec since DeMarco Sampson had 12 vs. Utah on Nov. 20, 2010, while the 175 yards were the most since Fred Trevillion had 189 at Fresno State on Nov. 17, 2018. Matthews is one of 27 Aztecs with at least five, 100-yard receiving games. Over the final four games last year, Matthews totaled 37 catches for 465 yards and seven touchdowns. In two career bowl games, Matthews has totaled 14 receptions for 286 yards and four touchdowns, winning offensive MVP honors both times (shared the award with Jordan Byrd at the 2019 New Mexico Bowl). Among freshmen in SDSU single-season history in 2019, Matthews ranked second in receptions (48) and third in receiving yards (633). Matthews had the fifth-most catches (48) in the country without a dropped pass in 2019 (according to Pro Football Focus). In the receiving game, WR Tyrell Shavers leads the Mountain West in yards per reception (17.09, 8th in FBS), and tied for eighth in receiving yards (581) and tied for 10th in receiving yards per game (48.42). Shavers had a receiving touchdown in three straight games dating back to last season before not scoring at No. 14/15 Utah on Sept. 17. Shavers recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game with 149 yards on eight catches against Hawai’i on Oct. 8. Shavers became SDSU’s 89th different 100-yard receiver and first since Jesse Matthews in the 2021 Frisco Bowl. Shavers had his second 100-yard receiving game on Nov. 12 against San Jose State, catching four passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Shavers is one of 56 players in program history with multiple 100-yard receiving games. Shavers was named a 2022 second-team all-MW selection, the first San Diego State wide receiver to earn first or second-team honors since both Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson were first-team picks in 2010. WR Mekhi Shaw became the 90th different Aztec in program history with a 100-yard receiving game with career highs of six catches, 120 yards and two touchdowns at New Mexico on Nov. 18. LG Cade Bennett has allowed only five quarterback pressures (no sacks) in 333 passing opportunities on the season. According to Pro Football Focus, Bennett’s 83.1 pass block rating is the second highest in the Mountain West among offensive linemen and first among MW guards (min. 200 pass opportunities).
BULLET NOTES – DEFENSE
Kurt Mattix is in his third season as defensive coordinator running the 3-3-5 defense at San Diego State. He previously served as defensive coordinator at Eastern Kentucky and worked with Hoke at Michigan. Mattix has been named a nominee for the Broyles Award for the top assistant coach in both 2020 and 2021. San Diego State’s returns seven starters return from a defense that ranked third in rushing yards allowed per game (80.4), 12th in total defense (324.5), 14th in pass efficiency rating (118.2) and 17th in scoring defense (19.8). Starters that are back for the Aztecs are senior defensive ends Jonah Tavai and Keshawn Banks, senior linebackers Caden McDonald and Michael Shawcroft, senior safeties Patrick McMorris and Cedarious Barfield, and junior cornerback Noah Tumblin.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Since 2014, SDSU ranks sixth in total defense (313.8), a tie for seventh turnovers forced (205) and seventh in scoring defense (18.8). San Diego State has held its opponent to single digits 20 times time since 2015 (101 games) and to 10 or less points 30 times over that span. SDSU won 18 straight games when holding its opponent to under 24 points until the streak was snapped in a 13-3 loss to Air Force on Nov. 26. San Diego State is now 34-3 under Brady Hoke when keeping its opponent to under 24 points. The Aztecs have allowed just 748 points over the last 166 quarters (4.50 points per quarter) (does not include overtime periods). SDSU has allowed just 822 points over the last 47 games (17.5 ppg). San Diego State has held its opponent scoreless on its opening drive seven times this year in 12 games, 19 times in 26 games since last season and 73 times since 2015 (101 games). This year opponents have had 147 drives where they have tried to score on SDSU and the Aztecs have forced three-and-outs (or less) in 61 of those drives (41.5 pct.). San Diego State averages 5.08 three-and-outs per game.
SERIES NOTES
San Diego State and Middle Tennessee are meeting for the first time. This marks just the third time in school history that the Aztecs have faced a team that has been a member of Conference USA at the time of the game. SDSU suffered a 34-27 loss to UTEP on Aug. 31, 2006 and beat No. 24/25 UTSA, 38-24, in the 2021 Frisco Bowl (Dec. 21). San Diego State is 25-5-0 all-time against the current configuration of Conference USA.
SDSU shut out an opponent in the first half for three straight games (Sept. 24 vs. Toledo, Sept. 30 at Boise State and Oct. 8 vs. Hawai’i) for the first time since at least 2000. The streak, which was snapped with a late second quarter touchdown by Nevada on Oct. 22, is tied for the longest in the country this season. San Diego State has shut out its opponent in four of the 12 opponents this year in the first half, including four of the last nine games. San Diego State held its opponent scoreless in five straight first quarters before being snapped with a field goal by Fresno State on Oct. 30. It was SDSU’s longest streak since a five-game stretch from 2003-04 (last four games of 2003, first game of 2004). San Diego State then shut out UNLV in the first half the following game, making it just three points allowed in a seven-quarter stretch.
SDSU, however, gave up 14 first quarter points to San Jose State on Nov. 12, seven at New Mexico on Nov. 18 and seven vs. Air Force on Nov. 26.
The Aztecs have held their opponents scoreless in 21 of the 48 quarters this season, including 21 of the last 43.
The Aztecs have allowed 5.17 yards per play this year, which ranks 34th in the country.
SDSU limited Nevada to just 227 total yards on Oct. 22, its fewest in a home game since having 203 against Hawai’i on Sept. 28, 2019.
The seven points by Nevada were also the fewest by a Wolf Pack team in a home game since scoring three against Hawai’i on Sept. 28, 2019.
SDSU recorded a safety (Jonah Tavai sack) against San Jose State on Nov. 12, its first since Oct. 4, 2013 against Nevada and first on a defensive play since Nov. 13, 2010 at TCU.
San Diego State held New Mexico without a third-down conversion for its first time since Sept. 3, 2016 against New Hampshire and for the first time against a FBS opponent since Oct. 3, 2015 vs. Fresno State. New Mexico was 0-for-11 on third down, marking the first time that UNM was held without a third-down conversion since going 0-for-7 against Wyoming in a 36-30 win on November 29, 2014.
DE Keshawn Banks has 38.0 tackles for loss for his career, the 11th most in program history (since records were kept in 1979). DE Jonah Tavai, meanwhile, is 15th with 34.5.
LB Caden McDonald has played in 60 straight games, the longest streak on the team. McDonald’s 60 games played are also the most on the team.
Ca. McDonald has started 43 straight games, the longest streak among Aztec defensive and offensive starters.
Banks has the most starts among active Aztecs (46).
LB Michael Shawcroft is tied for ninth all-time at SDSU with five forced fumbles.
S Patrick McMorris has played 680 of the team’s 798 defensive snaps this season, the most on the team despite missing the Toledo game with an injury.
LB Cooper McDonald is tied for 22nd in FBS with two fumble recoveries (T-3rd in MW).
S Cedarious Barfield is tied for fourth in the Mountain West in forced fumbles (2, T-46th in FBS) and tied for fifth in forced fumbles per game (0.18, T-61st in FBS).
Shawcroft ranks in a tie for sixth in the Mountain West in tackles for loss per game (1.09, T-41st in FBS), eighth in total tackles for loss (12.0, T-58th in FBS) and a tie for 10th in sacks per game (0.50).
Shawcroft was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the first time of his career on Oct. 24 for his play at Nevada on Oct. 22. Shawcroft had a team-high seven tackles (six solo), including two tackles for loss for 11 yards and a 9-yard sack, and a forced fumble. The forced fumble (the fifth of his career) was recovered by Patrick McMorris and returned 30 yards for a touchdown to put SDSU on the scoreboard just 54 seconds into the game. Shawcroft helped limit Nevada to just 227 total yards, its fewest in a home game since having 203 against Hawai’i on Sept. 28, 2019, and fewest points (7) in a home game since scoring three vs. Hawai’i in the 2019 contest. The Wolf Pack also rushed for just 35 yards on 21 carries (1.7 avg.) with 27 coming on one rush.
CB Dallas Branch was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the first time of his career on Nov. 7 for his play against UNLV on Nov. 5. Branch had four tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. He ended up setting career highs in tackles for loss (2) and had his first sack, while tying career bests in interceptions (1) and fumble recoveries (1). He first recovered a fumble in the second quarter after UNLV reached SDSU territory and later picked off a Doug Brumfield pass in the end zone on the second play of the fourth quarter. Ca. McDonald made the all-MW first team for a third consecutive season, joining fellow Aztec Kirk Morrison (2002-04) as the only linebackers in league history (since 1999) to make three all-MW first teams. n McMorris landed on his second straight all-conference team, becoming just the second SDSU safety to make two all-MW first teams, joining Will Demps from 2000-01.
McMorris is first ‘Aztec’ in the 3-3-5 defense (started in 2009) to earn an all-MW first or second team since Nat Berhe in 2013. Berhe is the only other ‘Aztec’ to even earn a second team (2012).
Banks landed on his fourth all-MW team having now earned second-team accolades in 2019 and 2021, and honorable mention status in 2020 and 2022.
N. Avinger started the opener against New Mexico State on Sept. 4, 2021, becoming the first true freshman Aztec cornerback to start since Leon McFadden in 2009 and just the third true freshman to start on defense since 2009 (also S Tariq Thompson in 2017). Then true freshman CJ Baskerville later started at UNLV, along with Avinger in the secondary.
RUSHING DEFENSE
Opponents have rushed 406 times this season with only 14 attempts longer than 20 yards (3.5 pct.) (two at No. 14/15 Utah on Sept. 17, five at Boise State on Sept. 30, two vs. Hawai’i on Oct. 8, one at Nevada on Oct. 22, one against UNLV on Nov. 5, one at New Mexico on Nov. 18 and two vs. Air Force on Nov. 26). Over the past two seasons, opponents have rushed 819 times with only 19 attempts longer than 20 yards (2.3 pct.). Opponent rush average vs. SDSU by down: 1st – 4.3; 2nd – 3.9; 3rd – 2.5; 4th – 0.5. Opponent rush average vs. SDSU by quarter: 1st – 3.4; 2nd – 3.1; 3rd – 4.8; 4th – 4.2 – and by half: 1st – 3.3; 2nd – 4.5.
San Diego State allowed negative 3 yards rushing to Fresno State on Oct. 29, its fewest in a game since having negative 16 yards to SMU in the 2012 Hawai’i Bowl and fewest in a home game since at least 1996. The negative 3 yards allowed by the Aztecs were their fewest allowed since keeping Brigham Young to negative 16 yards on Sept. 16, 1995 and the sixth-fewest allowed in SDSU’s DI history (since 1969). The negative 3 rushing yards are the fifth fewest allowed in a game this season. Fresno State averaged negative 0.12 yards per carry vs. San Diego State, tied for the sixth-lowest margin in SDSU’s DI history (since 1969).
PASSING DEFENSE
SDSU’s 142 interceptions since the 2014 season are the second most in the country over that span (Iowa, 143) while its 15 interceptions returned for a touchdown ranks in a tie for 16th. San Diego State had a season-high seven sacks at Fresno State on Oct. 29 after recording 11 the first seven games of the season. The Aztecs have 21 sacks and 48 tackles for loss over the last six games. DE Jonah Tavai ranks third in program history with 22.5 sacks and in a tie for 11th in single-season history with nine sacks. Jo. Tavai is ranked second in the Mountain West in sack yards (62, 14th in FBS), tied for second in sacks (9.0, T-14th in FBS), third in sacks per game (0.75, T-16th in FBS), fifth in total tackle for loss yards (65, T-34th in FBS), seventh in total tackles for loss (12.5, T-46th in FBS) and tied for ninth in tackles for loss per game (1.04, T-52nd in FBS). According to Pro Football Focus, Jo. Tavai has the third-highest pass rush grade in FBS (92.0, min. 200 pass opportunities) and the fifth-highest defensive grade (92.1, min. 500 snaps). Both marks easily lead the Mountain West. Per PFF, Jo. Tavai has the second-most quarterback pressures (62) in the country, the fourth-most hurries (40), and tied for the 14th-most QB hits (12). CB Dallas Branch ranks in a tie for fifth in the Mountain West in interceptions (3, T-38th in FBS) and a tie for sixth in interceptions per game (0.25, T-53rd in FBS). Branch had an interception in three straight games from Nov. 5-18, which is tied for the longest in FBS play this season. Only two Aztecs since 2007 have had a longer streak – Larry Parker in 2011 and Vonnie Holmes in 2007, each with four. Per PFF, DE Keshawn Banks is tied for fifth in the Mountain West in quarterback hits (8) and LB Cooper McDonald is tied for eighth (7). When McMorris has been targeted this season, quarterbacks are 9-for-15 for 72 yards and one interception, posting an 87.0 defensive pass efficiency rating, which ranks fourth in the league (min. 300 pass opportunities). Pro Football Focus rates McMorris second in the Mountain West in pass coverage (89.2, min. just 1 pass opportunity). CB Noah Tumblin’s four pass breakups in the 2021 opener against New Mexico State were tied for the fifth most in a game in FBS last season and tied for the fourth most in a game in school history (an Aztec has only recorded games with at least four PBUs 16 times in program history).
BULLET NOTES – SPECIAL TEAMS
ESPN’s special teams efficiency rating has San Diego State at 77.8, which ranks second in FBS, trailing only South Carolina (82.3). Since the start of the 2015 season, San Diego State has 14 kickoff returns for touchdowns, the most in FBS play over that time. To put that stat into perspective, 15 other teams have played at least 60 games over that span and do not have a single kick return touchdown. The Aztecs also have five 100-yard kickoff return touchdowns since 2015, one behind Western Michigan for the most in FBS play over that span. San Diego State has five non-offensive touchdowns this year, including a blocked punt recovery in the end zone to score against Arizona on Sept. 3, a returned a punt for a touchdown against Idaho on Sept. 10, a blocked punt and return at Boise State on Sept. 30, a fumble return at Nevada on Oct. 22 and a kick return touchdown against San Jose State on Nov. 12. The five non-offensive touchdowns are tied for fifth most in the country, only trailing Western Kentucky (7), Middle Tennessee State (6), Mississippi State (6) and Pittsburgh (6). The Aztecs have 10 non-offensive touchdowns since the start of the 2021 season. Only two schools have more non-offensive touchdowns over that span, including Middle Tennessee State (14) and Pittsburgh (12). Over that span, SDSU has four blocked punt returns for touchdowns, two interception returns for touchdowns, two kickoff returns for a touchdown, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and one punt return for a touchdown. Since the start of the 2020 season, San Diego State has 14 non-offensive touchdowns, tied with Houston and Pittsburgh for the third most in the country over that span, trailing only Middle Tennessee State (16) and Alabama (15). P/K Jack Browning was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, SDSU’s second straight punter to win the award and the fifth time an Aztec has captured the award in the last eight years (since 2015). The five special teams players of the year are the most in the history of the league (started in 1999). Browning also made the all-MW first team as a punter. Browning ranks third in SDSU single-season history in punt average (46.00), seventh in field goal percentage (80.95) and tied for seventh in field goals (17). Browning is tied for the FBS lead in PAT percentage (100.00), and is tied for fourth in punts inside the 20-yard line (28, 1st in MW), sixth in net punt average (42.67, 1st in MW), eighth in punt average (46.00, 1st in MW), tied for 12th in kickoff average (64.04, 1st in MW), 16th in total punt yards (2,898, 3rd in MW) and punt yards per game (241.50, 3rd in MW), tied for 20th in field goal attempts per game (1.75, 3rd in MW), punts per game (5.25, 4th in MW) and total punts (63, T-4th in MW), tied for 22th in field goal attempts (21, 3rd in MW) and tied for 24th in field goals per game (1.42, 4th in MW). He’s also second in the league in kickoff touchbacks (31, T-59th in FBS), third in kickoff touchback percentage (58.49, 45th in FBS), fourth in total field goals made (17, T-26th in FBS) and field goal percentage (80.95, T-42nd in FBS), tied for sixth in total points (79) and points per game (6.58), tied for seventh in made PATs (28) and attempted PATs (28), and tied for 10th in points responsible for (79). Browning didn’t have a touchback from a punt until his 33th attempt of the season (Sept. 30 at Boise State). Browning made his first career eight field goal attempts and has made 17 of 21 on the season.
n Browning has six games this season with multiple field goals, including three in back-to-back games vs. Hawai’i (Oct. 8) and at Nevada (Oct. 22). Browning had an impressive game against Idaho State on Sept. 10, punting six times for a 47.5 avg., with all six landing inside the 20-yard line, including five inside the 10 and four inside the 5. He became just the second punter with four punts inside the 5-yard line since at least 2012 (also Michael Dickson (Texas) vs. Missouri on Dec. 27, 2017). Additionally. Dickson was the only player since 2012 with more than five punts inside the 10 (he had six). Off Browning’s six punts, Idaho State averaged a 4.83 starting field position. He also made his only field goal and all five PATs, while kicking off seven times for a 65.7 average with six touchbacks. He also had a 26-yard rush on a fake punt attempt. Browning was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time of his career on Sept. 26 for his play against Toledo on Sept. 24. In the kicking game, Browning made his only field goal attempt – a career-long 50-yarder – and was 2-for-2 in PATs. Browning also punted nine times for 364 yards (40.4 avg.) (three of his punts started in Toledo territory) with a long of 56 yards. Out of his nine punts, six landed inside the 20 (last six of the game) and three inside the 10. Out of his nine punts, Toledo averaged a 21.7-yard field position. Browning also kicked off four times for a 64.2 average with two touchbacks. Off his four kickoffs, Toledo averaged a 22-yard field position. Out of his 13 overall kicks (punts and kickoffs), Toledo averaged starting on its own 21.8-yard line. Browning had another good game at Boise State on Sept. 30, punting a career-high 10 times for a career-high 48.5 average. The 48.5 average is the second highest this season for those with at least 10 punts in a game and the 23rd highest since at least 1996. Browning also made both of his field goal attempts. Browning was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time of his career on Nov. 21 for his play at New Mexico on Nov. 18. Browning made all six kicks (four PATs, two field goals), scoring 10 of SDSU’s 34 points. He also punted twice for a 52.5 average, including a career long of 63 yards, and kicked off seven times with four touchbacks for a 64.1 average, while logging a tackle on a kickoff. For his career on planned fakes, Browning has rushed three times on fake punts/kicks for 72 yards (24.0 avg.) with a touchdown.
n This year KR/PR Jordan Byrd became the first San Diego State player to make a MW first team at both kick returner and punt returner. Byrd ranks second in program history in kick return average (25.5), a tie for second in kick return touchdowns (3), third in kick returns (76), kick return yards (1,936) and punt returns (67), eighth in punt return yards (442) and ninth in all-purpose yards (3,942). Byrd ranks third among active FBS players in kick return average (25.5, min. 50 KR). Byrd is the first FBS player with at least one rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same season since Temple’s Isaiah Wright in 2018 and just the second Aztec since at least 1996 (Rashaad Penny in 2017). No other Mountain West player has accomplished the feat (league started in 1999). Byrd leads the Mountain West in kick return yards (487, 18th in FBS), and is tied for first in kick return touchdowns (1, T-2nd in FBS), second in combined kick/punt return yards (602, 10th in FBS), kick return average (25.63, 11th in FBS) total punt returns (17, T-27th in FBS) and punt return average (6.76, 32nd in FBS), tied for second in punt return touchdowns (1, T-6th in FBS), tied for third in total kick returns (19, T-24th in FBS) and fourth in punt return yards (115, T-48th in FBS). Byrd returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown against Idaho State on Sept. 11. It was his first punt return for a touchdown and first by an Aztec since BJ Busbee had returned a 90-yarder against Colorado State on Dec. 5, 2020. Byrd a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown vs. San Jose State on Nov. 12, the third of his career. Byrd’s 56.0 kick return average vs. SJSU is the 10th highest in a game this season (min. 2 KR). Byrd returned a kickoff 100 yards or a touchdown against Utah on Sept. 18, 2021 to become the fifth Aztec in program history with a 100-yard kickoff return (has happened eight times overall) and first since Rashaad Penny against Nevada on Nov. 18, 2017. Byrd’s 63.0 kick return average in the 2021 Utah game was the ninth highest in a FBS game last season (min. 2 KR) and the fourth highest by an Aztec since at least 1996 (min. 2 KR). Byrd now has two of the four-highest kick return averages in a game by an Aztec since at least 1996 (min. 2 KR) (74.0 vs. Colorado State on Dec. 5, 2020 (No. 1) and 63.0 vs. Utah on Sept. 18, 2021 (No. 4)). Byrd was one of only 19 FBS players with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in 2021. Byrd (93-yard kick return) and former Aztec BJ Busbee (90-yard punt return) helped San Diego State become the first team with a kickoff return and punt return in the same quarter (second) on Dec. 5, 2020 vs. Colorado State since Oct. 31, 2015 vs. Tennessee (third quarter at Kentucky). The Aztecs have returned a kickoff and punt for a touchdown three times in the same game in the last 26 seasons (since 1996). Tyrell Shavers ranks in a tie for third in program history in blocked kicks (3) and has all three in just 24 games at SDSU. Shavers had two blocked kicks last year, one off Brad Burton’s school record of three set in 1989. Shavers has returned three blocked punts for touchdowns over his career (Sept. 26, 2020 at No. 6/5 LSU while at Alabama, Sept. 11, 2021 at Arizona and Sept. 30, 2022 at Boise State). Shavers is tied for second in the Mountain West in punt return touchdowns (1, T-6th in FBS) (off a blocked punt), tied for second in blocked kicks (1, T-15th in FBS) and tied for fifth in blocked kicks per game (0.08, T-69th in FBS). Cedarious Barfield is tied for second in the Mountain West in blocked kicks (1, T-15th in FBS) and blocked kicks per game (0.09, T31st in FBS). Jaylon Armstead is also tied for second in the Mountain West in punt return touchdowns (1) (off a blocked punt).
