hunter hewitt san diego state

Warrior Wednesday: Bobby Smitheran

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Bobby Smitheran – Director of Football Operations

When people think about college football, what happens on Saturdays on the field is often what comes to mind.

Behind the scenes, however, several tasks must be completed on a daily basis to keep a football program running smoothly off the field. Coaches are often extremely busy, and have far too much on their plate to worry about the multitude of administrative issues that come along with Division 1 athletics.

For Bobby Smitheran, the director of football operations at San Diego State, the administrative side is his forte.

Smitheran came to SDSU in 2008, and initially worked for the athletic department as the liaison to the office of admissions, housing department, and NCAA Eligibility Center.

But in 2010, when former coach Brady Hoke left for Michigan and took most of his staff with him, Rocky Long needed to hire a new director of football operations. Smitheran was given the opportunity, and has done a great job taking over all the duties.

From organizing team meals to arranging travel plans for away games, Smitheran has a variety of responsibilities, but has done a phenomenal job of balancing it all.

For his efforts to keep the SDSU football program running smoothly, Bobby Smitheran is this week’s Wednesday Warrior.

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

Aztec Stat of the Week: Overtime Games

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

SDSU celebrates after its thrilling overtime victory over Nevada (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Over the years, overtime games have been a rarity for San Diego State football.

According to GoAztecs.com, SDSU had only played in four overtime games before entering Saturday night’s contest vs. Nevada. That statistic changed Saturday, however, as the Aztecs defeated Nevada in overtime, 39-38.

With the thrilling overtime victory, the Aztecs improved to 4-1 all-time in overtime games. Following the game, one question likely popped up in the heads of many SDSU fans: When was the last overtime game for SDSU?

Last overtime game

On October 24, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium, SDSU defeated Utah 21-20 in overtime.

Behind quarterback Brian Russell and running back Larry Ned, the Aztecs won their fourth straight game to improve to 4-3 on the season. Utah scored first in the extra period, but missed the extra point, opening the door for SDSU. The Aztecs then scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Damon Gourdine, and converted the extra point to win the game.

SDSU went on to play in the Las Vegas Bowl that season, but fell to North Carolina, 20-13.

Brian Russell (left) and Larry Ned (right) helped the Aztecs beat Utah in overtime in the 1998 season

 

Did you miss last week’s “Stat of the Week” post about interceptions? Check it out here!

 

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

 

Aztecs in the NFL: Week 7

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Miles Burris recorded his first-ever NFL sack on Sunday in the Raiders victory over the Jaguars

LB Russell Allen – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Oakland Raiders
In a battle of former San Diego State linebackers, Allen’s Jaguars fell to the Raiders and Miles Burris in overtime, 26-23. Allen had four tackles and one fumble recovery in the game.

LB Antwan Applewhite – Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Panthers were defeated by the Cowboys, 19-14, and Applewhite did not record any tackles. He appeared to tweak his hamstring on the first play of the second half as he limped off the field following the kickoff. He did not return to the game, and his status for next week is uncertain.

LS Aaron Brewer – Denver Broncos, BYE

WR Vincent Brown – San Diego Chargers, BYE

LB Miles Burris – Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
In a big overtime victory over the Jaguars, Burris played one of his best games yet. He had 7 total tackles, and recorded the first sack of his NFL career when he took down Jaguars’ quarterback Chad Henne for a loss of 10 yards. Burris is becoming one of the most important players on the Raiders’ defense, as he was on the field for all 63 defensive snaps according to NFL blogger Steve Corkran.

OT/OG Brandyn Dombrowski – San Diego Chargers, BYE

LB Heath Farwell – Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Although the Seahawks lost to the 49ers last Thursday, Farwell continues to solidify himself as one of the top special teams tacklers in the league. He had one tackle in the game, and is tied for first in the NFL for special teams tackles with nine. Farwell led the league in special teams tackles in 2011.

RB Ronnie Hillman – Denver Broncos, BYE

QB Ryan Lindley – Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings
With John Skelton starting at quarterback, the Cardinals were defeated by the Vikings, 21-14. Lindley is once again the backup, as Kevin Kolb is expected to miss several weeks after suffering an injury to his ribs and sternum.

OG Lance Louis – Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Louis and his fellow offensive lineman had their hands full Monday night with Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the Lions defensive line, but the Bears were able to come away with the win, 13-7. They improved their record to 5-1.

LB Kirk Morrison – Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans
In a back-and-forth game, the Bills fell to the Titans, 35-34. Morrison was inactive once again, and has yet to play in a game this season. There is still no clear reason as to why he is inactive.

WR Kassim Osgood – Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
For the second consecutive game, Osgood recorded a tackle on special teams. The Lions struggled as a team, however, and could not find a way to get their offense going in the loss to the Bears.

WR Chaz Schilens – New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
Schilens failed to record a catch for just the second time this season and the Jets were defeated by the Patriots in overtime, 29-26.

Did you miss the “Aztecs in the NFL: Week 6″ post? Check it out here!

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