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Aztec Stat of the Week: Long Snapping Efficiency

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment
Aztecs For Life

Freshman long snapper Jeff Overbaugh has played an integral role in San Diego State’s success this season (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

In football, special teams often go unnoticed.

Even when special teams plays are highlighted, certain details of those plays are typically overlooked. For example, when a game-winning field goal is shown, the announcers rarely talk about how well the ball was snapped.

Long snappers play a critical role on every football team. In addition to snapping the ball to the holder for field goals, they also snap the ball on punts, ensuring that the ball reaches the punter in a timely manner and in the appropriate spot for the punter to kick the ball well.

Although long snappers rarely receive praise, San Diego State football long snapper Jeff Overbaugh deserves some recognition. The true freshman long snapper has been flawless all season with his snapping duties, and he has the stats to prove it.

Through 12 games, Overbaugh has snapped the ball well on all 105 attempts. He is 52-for-52 on PATs, 12-for-12 on field goals, and 41-for-41 on punts – impressive numbers for a freshman playing a nerve-racking position at the Division 1 level.

A product of  long snapping guru Chris Rubio – like former SDSU long snappers Aaron Brewer and Tyler Schmitt – Overbaugh’s talents have helped the Aztecs’ special teams immensely. Teamed with freshman punter Seamus McMorrow, San Diego State is sure to have a solid punting game for years to come. And although senior kicker Chance Marden will be gone after the season, Overbaugh will have the Aztecs nearly worry-free when it comes to field goal snaps for the next three seasons.

Did you miss the “Meet the Aztecs: Q&A with Jeff Overbaugh” piece from earlier in the season? Check it out here

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by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztecs in the NFL: Week 14

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 4 Comments
Farwell Aztec for life

Heath Farwell, a special teams co-captain for the Seahawks, recorded five tackles on Sunday in a 58-0 victory over the Cardinals (Seahawks.com)

LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
The Jaguars fell to the Jets on Sunday, 17-10. Allen had six total tackles in the loss, and still ranks fifth in the NFL this season with 85 solo tackles.

LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers knocked off one of league’s best teams on Sunday, defeating the Falcons, 30-20. Applewhite did not play, however, as was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list last week because of a hamstring injury.

LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
The Broncos continued their hot streak on Thursday, winning their eighth straight game by beating the Raiders, 26-13. Brewer continued to snap well on both field goals and punts for the Broncos, as they made all four of their field goal attempts and punted twice for an average of 44.5 yards. 

WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chargers defeated the Ravens on Sunday, 34-24. Brown sat out once again as he is still recovering from the broken ankle he suffered in the preseason. He is not expected to return this season.

LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Burris had seven total tackles in Thursday’s loss to the Broncos. He currently ranks sixth in the NFL amongst all rookies this season with 79 total tackles.

OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dombrowski did not play in the Chargers’ win over the Steelers as he was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list two weeks ago.

LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks destroyed the struggling Cardinals on Sunday, 58-0. Farwell was all over the field on special teams, and recorded five total tackles in the blowout victory. It was a season-high for Farwell, who is one of the Seahawks’ co-captains on special teams.

RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
Hillman had four carries for 24 yards in the Broncos’ win over the Raiders on Thursday. He remains the second option running back behind Knowshon Moreno, who carried the ball 32 times for 119 yards. 

QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Cardinals woes continued on Sunday in the blowout loss to the Seahawks. John Skelton started the game at quarterback, but was benched after going 11-22 for 74 yards and four interceptions. Lindley replaced Skelton in the third quarter, and went 8-17 for 59 yards.

OG Lance Louis – Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Bears fell to the Vikings on Sunday, 21-14. Louis, who missed his second straight game, is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. His importance to the team has become evident in the last two weeks, as the Bears have lost both games without Louis in the lineup.

WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
In a division rivalry, the Lions lost to the Packers on Sunday, 27-20. Osgood continued to play on special teams for the Lions, but did not record any stats in the game.

OT Will Robinson – New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants
The Saints fell to the Giants on Sunday, 52-27. Robinson did not start the game, but saw time in a reserve role filling in for injured right tackle Zach Strief. He will remain a reliable backup for the Saints, as they have had injury concerns on the offensive line all season. 

WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jets beat the Jaguars on Sunday, improving their record to 6-7. Schilens had two catches for 27 yards in the victory.

Did you miss the “Aztecs in the NFL: Week 13″ post? Check it out here!

LINKS:
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Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
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Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Rocky Long named MW Coach of the Year, all-conference teams announced

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment
Rocky Long coaches

Head coach Rocky Long was named the MW Coach of the Year on Tuesday

Head coach Rocky Long was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year on Tuesday, marking the first time an SDSU head coach has ever received the award.

On top of Long’s award, several Aztecs were named to the all-conference teams.

All-MW First-Team selections
OL Nik Embernate, senior
TE Gavin Escobar, junior (two-time first-team honoree)
CB Leon McFadden, senior (three-time first-team honoree)

All-MW Second-Team selections
RB Adam Muema, sophomore
OL Alec Johnson, senior
LB Jake Fely, sophomore
S Nat Berhe, junior

All-MW Honorable Mentions
LB Derek Largent, sophomore
DL Sam Meredith, sophomore
OL Bryce Quigley, junior

Check out the official Mountain West press release to see the full teams and awards list.

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS