I hope you are all having a great week! I also hope you were able to see us defeat Army on Saturday, 42-7.
Saturday was fun, but we have already moved on to North Dakota. Although they are a Division 1-AA or FCS team, we can not afford to look past them. This season, several Division 1 or FBS teams have already lost to Division 1-AA teams, and we do not want to find ourselves on that list.
A new week also means a new set of stories on AztecsForLife.com.
On Wednesday, I will publish a story on Dr. SaBrina White, an academic advisor who has helped countless football players and other student-athletes en route to receiving their diplomas.
On Thursday, I will publish a story on two former Aztec football players who are now coaches. Offensive line coach Mike Schmidt and strength and conditioning coach Adam Hall will be highlighted in this week’s Throwback Thursday.
This will be the first in a three-week series showcasing players-turned-coaches. Next week, I will post a story on quarterbacks coach Brian Sipe. The following week, I will highlight former players and current graduate assistants Doug Deakin and Lynell Hamilton.
To finish the week, senior tight end DJ Shields will be the subject for Feature Friday.
In the 2010 season vs. TCU, Andrews forced a huge fumble on QB Andy Dalton in the end zone, resulting in a touchdown for the Aztecs and a shift in momentum (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)
SDSU’s Andrews shows perseverance, determination
In the hard-hitting game of football, serious injuries are common, and recovering from these setbacks can be very difficult. Months of rehabilitation can be physically and mentally draining, and it’s often hard to stay motivated.
Although the road to recovery is taxing, the reward of making it back onto the playing field can be well worth it. Imagine, however, finally making it back and suffering another serious injury soon after.
For San Diego State linebacker Rob Andrews, this became his reality.
A native of Pleasanton, Calif., Andrews came to San Diego State after a successful prep career at Foothill High School. He started at linebacker and fullback, and ran for over 1,000 yards his senior year while also recording 94 tackles and eight sacks.
After redshirting his first season, Andrews saw action in five games in the 2009 season. Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, he found himself in position to be a big contributor for the Aztecs.
Andrews had a solid season in 2010, playing in all 13 games and starting three times. He recorded 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one bone-crushing sack and forced fumble on then-TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, who is now an NFL starter.
However, in the 13th game, Andrews suffered the first of his two serious injuries. In the Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy, a chop block from a Navy offensive lineman caused him to tear the PCL and MCL in his right knee, and although it was frustrating, the timing wasn’t horrible.
“The injury was rough, but it was good that I made it through the season and had the offseason to recover,” Andrews said. “That next spring I got to learn more about the defense and I got a lot stronger, both physically and mentally. I found out what it feels like to be hurt and not able to play.”
Andrews spent the entire offseason vigorously rehabbing his knee, and after countless hours of hard work in the training room, he found himself back in action for the start of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, he was only able to play four games before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
“The second injury was really hard,” Andrews said. “I was expecting to have a big year and play a lot, and then I broke my foot and was out again.”
One thing that helped Andrews during his second rehabilitation process was attending weekly meetings with Athletes in Action, a Christian sports ministry that has spread to colleges nationwide.
After being introduced to the group by former teammates Miles Burris and Colin Shumate, Andrews enjoyed the weekly meetings and found it as a great place to become closer not only with God but also with other athletes involved.
With another rehab-filled offseason, Andrews had to dig deep to get back onto the field. Once again, he displayed his incredible perseverance and worked tirelessly to get back into playing shape.
Now a senior, Andrews is healthy once again and is hoping to finish his collegiate career on a high note. How the season plays out will dictate his future plans, notably whether or not he will pursue playing football at the next level.
“It all depends on how the season goes,” Andrews said. “In January, I’ll see what’s on my heart and what I want to do. If that’s not the thing for me, I’ll have a business degree in May and I’ll either move back to the Bay Area and start working there or just try to find a job here.”
Although the injuries have been setbacks for Andrews on the football field, he says they have helped him grow as a person. Most importantly, he has still been able to enjoy his college years and make the most of his time at SDSU.
“I have still had a great time at SDSU and built great relationships,” Andrews said. “The injuries were tough, but it all made me a better person in the end. I’m still happy I made the decision to come here. It was the right place for me to go.”
Highlights from the 2010 game vs. TCU (Andrew’s sack/forced fumble at 0:43)
Linebacker Russell Allen in the 2006 season vs. Utah (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)
Dependability, durability, versatility – three characteristics that lead to success in sports, as well as in life.
These three characteristics perfectly describe former San Diego State linebacker Russell Allen.
Although the first decade of the 2000s was often seen as a dark time for Aztec football, Allen was a consistent bright spot throughout his collegiate career, and is arguably one of the greatest linebackers in school history.
A standout linebacker at Vista High School, Allen chose to stay close to home when he accepted a scholarship offer from San Diego State in 2004.
After redshirting his first season, Allen proved his dependability and wasted no time getting onto the field. He played in all 12 games in 2005, starting seven times, and finished the season with 61 total tackles and two interceptions. Following the season, he was named an honorable mention freshman All-American by The Sporting News.
Allen didn’t slow down one bit the next three seasons, as he continued to be a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. He finished his career as the third all-time leading tackler in SDSU history, recording 375 tackles over four seasons. He also holds the all-time record for total tackles in a game, as he tallied 22 tackles vs. Utah in the 2007 season.
In addition to his impressive stats, Allen displayed incredible durability. He played in 48 games over four seasons, never missing a game. He also showed versatility on defense, as he played multiple positions on the field. He lined up at both outside and inside linebacker, and even played defensive end at times during his senior year when several defensive lineman were out due to injury.
Allen was very successful on the field, but he also thoroughly enjoyed his time off the field at SDSU.
“My time at SDSU was great,” Allen said. “It’s a unique time in your life, and I miss being around my buddies everyday. It’s the only level of football where you spend all that time together and I bonded with my teammates a lot.”
Following his career as an Aztec, Allen found himself anxiously waiting to hear his name in the 2008 NFL Draft. Although he wasn’t drafted, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft.
With the same hard work and determination that helped him become one of the greatest linebackers to ever play at SDSU, Allen made the Jaguars’ 53-man roster for the 2009 season, an impressive feat for an undrafted rookie.
But he didn’t stop there.
Now entering his fourth season, Allen is the starter at one of the outside linebacker spots, and it is a goal of his to keep that job for years to come.
“I’ve found my way into the starting lineup, and I’d like to continue that and be a full-time starter,” Allen said when talking about future goals. “First and foremost, I’d like to help my team win a Super Bowl any way that I can.”
In his three seasons in the NFL, Allen has tallied 136 total tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception. He says that the transition to the next level has been tough, but his time at SDSU prepared him well.
“The expectation level in professional football is so high,” Allen said. “Every day you are practicing to keep your job. It’s a high stress job, and you have to bring your ‘A’ game everyday.
“I leaned a lot in college that really helped me out at this level. We had coaches that knew football well and taught me the game. On top of that, I learned how to deal with adversity. You have to be able to come to work everyday and give your best even when things are down.”
Although being in a different time zone makes it tough for Allen to watch SDSU games, he still tries to follow the team as much as possible.
“I don’t get to watch a lot of the games because they aren’t always on television and they start really late,” Allen said. “I always want to know how they’re doing, though. I’m always checking the scores and stats, and following the kids as much as possible.”
For the legacy he left at SDSU and his continued support of the program, Russell Allen is truly an Aztec for life.
Aztecs For Life | SDSU Blog 