VIDEO: Aztec For Life Ronnie Hillman congratulated by Peyton Manning

January 30, 2013January 30, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman tries to run through the arms of linebacker Ray Lewis. (AP/Charlie Riedel)

Aztec fans –

Check out this video of Denver Broncos running back and Aztec For Life Ronnie Hillman as he scores his first career touchdown and is congratulated by future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

Hillman had an impressive rookie season, as he amassed 85 carries for 330 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. He also had 10 catches for 62 yards.

His most impressive performance came in the postseason against the Baltimore Ravens, when he was heavily relied on due to an injury to starting running running back Knowshon Moreno. Although the Broncos lost the game, Hillman finished the season strong with 22 carries for 83 yards and 3 catches for 20 yards against one of the league’s toughest defenses.

Keep an eye on Hillman in 2013 to track his progress as an NFL running back.

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks

January 18, 2013June 17, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / 3 Comments

Quarterback Adam Dingwell (6) returns in 2013 and will try to lead the Aztecs in his first full season as the starter. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

QB Ryan Katz

Projected starters (2012 stats)

QB #6 Adam Dingwell – RS Jr., 6-foot-4, 210 pounds (83-144, 939 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions ; 43 carries, 104 yards, one touchdown)

Key reserves/Players to watch

QB #12 Jake Bernards– RS Sr., 6-foot-5, 215 pounds – Entering his fifth season with the Aztecs, Bernards likely knows the pro-style offense better than anyone else. He has spent most of his time as the backup quarterback, but he will be in the mix during spring practices with new offensive coordinator Bob Toledo at the helm.
QB #11 Matt Morin – RS Fr., 6-foot-2, 220 pounds – With a powerful arm and the ability to escape pressure and scramble, Morin has the total package. Although he may have to wait until Dingwell leaves to get his chance, he will make the quarterback competition interesting for the next two years. Look for him to turn some heads in the offseason with impressive throws and nifty scrambles.
QB #15 Chad Jeffries – RS So., 6-foot-2, 200 pounds – Keep an eye on Jeffires throughout the offseason to see if he can make a push for the starting job. A talented three-star recruit out of high school, he has had a tough time putting the pieces together at the collegiate level, but a strong offseason could catapult him up the depth chart.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State does not have any quarterback commits in the 2013 class, but Chase Favreau, a 2012 signee, is expected to join the team in the spring after grayshirting last season.

Analysis
Although San Diego State fans have often pointed the finger at Dingwell for the collapse against BYU, there were several factors that contributed to the loss.

Field position was arguably the difference in the game, as BYU’s punter Riley Stephenson pinned the Aztecs inside their own 5-yard line five times. Dingwell was pressured throughout the game, and although he made some mistakes, many of the painful plays were not solely his fault.

Dingwell did not play his best in the Poinsettia Bowl, but San Diego State fans should not forget the 5-game win streak that he helped orchestrate, highlighted by come-from-behind road victories against Nevada and Boise State. His performance against Nevada, coming off the bench to replace the injured Katz, proved his incredible work ethic, as he could not have played at such a high level without tireless preparation. Ending the season on a bitter note will only fuel him more in the offseason.

With a new offensive coordinator, it is likely that the staff promotes an open battle for the starting quarterback job in the offseason. Although Bernards is consistent and knowledgeable and Morin and Jeffries are skilled young players, look for Dingwell to improve his fundamentals in the offseason and retain the starting job due to his gritty demeanor, work ethic and leadership skills.

There is no substitute for experience, and this makes Dingwell the clear frontrunner. With last season under his belt, expect a new and improved Dingwell in 2013.

Prediction
Dingwell will throw for at least 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2013.

2013 Season Preview: Home
2013 Season Preview: Defensive Line
2013 Season Preview: Linebackers
2013 Season Preview: Cornerbacks
2013 Season Preview: Safeties
2013 Season Preview: Special Teams
2013 Season Preview: Wide Receivers
2013 Season Preview: Running Backs
2013 Season Preview: Tight Ends
2013 Season Preview: Offensive Line

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by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Offensive Line

January 17, 2013June 17, 2013 / Hunter O. Hewitt / 12 Comments

Left tackle Bryce Quigley (78), an honorable mention all-conference selection last year, returns for his senior season in 2013. (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Who’s gone

G Nik Embernate
G Riley Gauld
G/C Jimmy Miller
C Alec Johnson

Projected starters

LT #78 Bryce Quigley – Sr., 6-foot-5, 295 pounds
LG #65 Japheth Gordon – RS Sr., 6-foot-3, 295 pounds
C #73 Jordan Smith – RS So., 6-foot-5, 270 pounds
RG #56 Nico Siragusa – RS Fr., 6-foot-5, 315 pounds
RT #64 Zach Dilley – RS Jr., 6-foot-5, 295 pounds

Key reserves

G/T #70 Arthur Flores – RS Fr., 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
G/C #74 Austin Maass – RS Fr., 6-foot-4, 270 pounds
T #75 Kwayde Miller – RS Fr., 6-foot-7, 305 pounds
T #69 Paul Rodriguez – RS So., 6-foot-7, 285 pounds
G/T #67 Garrett Corbett – RS Jr., 6-foot-5, 290 pounds
T #79 Terry Poole – RS Jr., 6-foot-5, 300 pounds

Players to watch

LT #78 Bryce Quigley – Sr., 6-foot-5, 295 pounds – In just his first season playing offensive line, Quigley had a solid year in 2012 and was an honorable mention all-conference selection. With another offseason to gain strength and improve his fundamentals, look for him to be a dominant force on the left side in 2013.
C #73 Jordan Smith – RS So., 6-foot-5, 270 pounds – With Johnson and Miller gone, San Diego State will need to find someone to take over the snapping duties in 2013. Often regarded as the quarterback of the offensive line, the center is a very important position that requires considerable knowledge in defensive fronts and schemes. Smith, who saw playing time in 2012 as an extra offensive lineman in short yardage situations, will be the frontrunner for the starting job.
G/T #67 Garrett Corbett – RS Jr., 6-foot-5, 290 pounds – Corbett entered the 2012 season as a candidate for the starting job at right tackle, but injured his ankle in fall camp and missed the remainder of the year. A versatile lineman who can play multiple positions, look for him to bounce back from his injury and compete with Siragusa for the starting spot at right guard.

2013 Commitments
San Diego State currently has four offensive lineman commits. Lenicio Noble and Braxton Isaac are two junior college transfers expected to sign, while Sergio Phillips and Antonio Rosales are high school commits. Expect all four to redshirt in 2013, as it is extremely difficult for a lineman to learn the offense and compete for playing time right away. Noble, who is expected to join the team in the spring and compete for the starting center spot, is the most likely of the bunch to see the field next season.

Analysis
Last season, San Diego State’s offensive lineman, led by newly hired offensive line coach Mike Schmidt, exceeded expectations and helped the Aztecs rush for over 220 yards per game. Next season, they will need to find replacements for Johnson and Embernate, its most experienced lineman in 2012.

Keep an eye on Smith and Maass in spring practices and fall camp, as they will likely battle to replace Johnson for the starting center spot. Both are skilled linemen, but they will need to get stronger and add weight in the offseason if they want to be effective in 2013. Noble will also be in the mix, but he will need to learn the offense quickly in the spring and gain ground on Smith and Maass if he wants a chance to play next season.

At right guard, Siragusa has a solid chance to win the job in 2013. He impressed the coaches last season, showing flashes of talent throughout fall camp. Although his youth and inexperience might be worrisome, he is one of the strongest offensive lineman and will get a ton of reps in the offseason. He and Corbett will likely be the frontrunners to replace Embernate, but don’t be surprised if some of the other young linemen get reps at the position in spring practices and fall camp.

In their first season as starters on the offensive line, Quigley, Gordon and Dilley played fairly well as a group. All three return in 2013, and will continue to pave the way for an explosive ground attack.

Pass protection will be the main focus for the offensive line in the offseason, as the Aztecs allowed 35 sacks last year, ranking them in the bottom 20 of all Division 1 FBS teams. Expect Quigley and Dilley to improve their fundamentals in the offseason and help San Diego State drastically reduce its total number of sacks in 2013.

Prediction
Quigley will be a first-team all-conference selection in 2013.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a preview on the quarterbacks of the 2013 San Diego State Aztecs

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

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VIDEO: Aztec For Life Ronnie Hillman congratulated by Peyton Manning

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Quarterbacks

2013 SDSU Football Season Preview: Offensive Line