Know Your Enemy: Cal And San Diego State Meet For First Time Since 1996
Following a blowout tune-up against Grambling State in the season opener, Cal shifts its focus to the San Diego State Aztecs, one of the most likely challengers in the Mountain West Conference to preseason favorite Boise State. This will mark the first meeting between the two programs since 1996, and it just might be worth the wait.
Series History: Series ties 3-3
Perhaps it is hard to believe, but Cal and SDSU have faced each other just six times in their respective program histories. The series is tied at three wins apiece, with Cal winning the most recent meeting between the two in 1996. This year's meeting will be the first since San Diego State left the WAC for the Mountain West Conference. The series was first played in 1982, with Cal blanking the Aztecs 28-0. San Diego State won three of the next four meetings between 1983 and 1995.
San Diego State Head Coach: Rocky Long (5th year, 32-20)
San Diego State head coach Rocky Long is in his fifth season as the successor to Brady Hoke. The former defensive coordinator has served the program well, leading the Aztecs to the 2012 Mountain West Conference championship. Winning the big game, however, remains an occasional struggle for Long, as San Diego State is 1-3 in bowl games under his leadership.
San Diego State At a Glance
SDSU is coming off a season-opening win against local FCS foe University of San Diego. The Aztecs flexed their superior muscles in a 37-3 defeat of the cross town opponent, which was a good sign for a team many expect should compete for the Mountain West Conference championship, if not just the division this season. San Diego State generally tends to go strong on the ground with its rushing attack, which racked up 166 yards last week, but last week's season opening win was more about the play of the defense.
San Diego State forced six turnovers against their opponent last week. That turnover total included five interceptions, including an early return for a touchdown by Calvin Munson on the second play of the game to get the season started. Munson struck again in the fourth quarter with a 67-yard interception returned for a touchdown, earning him Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
San Diego State also got a touchdown on special teams last week, with Rashaad Perry returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown. The play of the defense and special teams was encouraging though, because the offense showed some room for improvement.
Starting quarterback Maxwell Smith was just nine of 21 for 100 yards and an interception. The key player in the offense, though, is running back Donnel Pumphrey. Pumphrey carried the football 20 times in the season opener, rushing for just 65 yards and a touchdown in the game. Those are not the big numbers you would expect from Pumphrey, who rushed for 1,873 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2014. Odds are pretty good Pumphrey will turn in some big rushing performances later on as the season plays out, but perhaps Cal is getting San Diego State at a good time of the season.
Outlook
San Diego State's defense made plenty of big plays last week, but Cal's offense is far ahead of where the University of San Diego's offensive potential lands. The Bears should be able to move the ball on San Diego State with consistency, and the Aztecs offense may not be suited well to keep pace.
The matchup takes place Saturday, 3 p.m. at Kabam Field at Memorial Stadium.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.