The promising start of 6 – 1 crumbles to 7 – 6. Four consecutive losses. The fourth was an absolute butt kicking courtesy of the Ohio Bobcats, 27-0. The Aztec offense imploded. We resembled a fourth grade effort at building a papier-mache volcano project gone horribly wrong. Crap was everywhere with nothing to show. The game’s end shutout provides emphasis for areas to improve in 2019. Offense, offense, offense and, um, let’s see, offense.
Rocky and Jeff need to reconsider their commitment to pound and ground given the fact that once Juwan Washington was injured three of the next four games featured SDSU rushing totals of less than 200 yards. His first game after recovering from his injury also featured a game total of less than 200 yards . . . as did the next two games as well. Pound and ground? More like slap and tickle. This unimpressive result lies at the collective feet of the offensive line and to a lesser extent the tight ends. Certainly, injury played a part, but which season does injury not play a part in the journey of an offensive line? Mike Schmidt has much to fix next year during spring and summer ball.
Perhaps a more balanced offense would contribute to an improved offensive line. Yet, I have doubts that Ryan Agnew is “the guy” for 2019. A completion percentage of 51.6% does not create an abundance of confidence. Granted, Christian Chapman’s 89 passing attempts given to Mr. Agnew might generate an improved completion rate and a sizable increase of his 1,651 total yards passing. However, might implies might not.
Given the stellar years of Kahale Warring and Parker Houston at the tight-end spots, I trust coach Horton will continue to incorporate passes in their general direction. I congratulate coach Hunkie Cooper for offering a strong three-deep on each side of the quarterback group of wide receivers during 2018. At last, we have receivers who can stretch the field after catching the football. Let’s stretch more often in 2019.
Returning to the running game, I feel the need to abandon the fullback as permanent partner of Mr. Washington. How about a dual running back set more offensive snaps than not? Also, I am unconvinced that Chase Jasmin is the #2 back. I lean towards Chance Bell. He runs with more abandon and inflicts pain on those attempting to tackle him.
2018 sputtered to an offensive close of 187 passing yards per game and a very un-Aztec 161.7 rushing yards per game. Feeble, pale, unsteady. More proof? All four MWC losses were single digit. By 4 to Nevada, 3 to UNLV, 9 to Fresno and 1 to Hawaii. 17 points total. Our offense could not find 18 more points. What about the seven wins? The 14 point difference against Sacramento State provided the only double-digit win of the season. “Single digit” was the Aztec offense nickname and a ready title for a convention of underachievers. If “single digit” doesn’t motivate, what will?
As for the 2018 defense, less the first (Stanford) and last (Ohio) games of the season, the SDSU defense held their end of the bargain. Sure, the defensive backfield can improve, but the front three and linebacking crew were outstanding. When the opposition is held to an average of 334.6 total yards per game accented with allowing an average of only 3 yards per carry, the defense creates hope. Also, how many head coaches and offensive coordinators (especially) would give a body part for a defense that allowed an average of 22.2 points per game? Big-12 coaches would offer wives and children for that chance to win. Frankly, I’m not sure how Rocky improves on giving up less than 231 passing yards per game and less than 104 rushing yards per game. Though, he will try.
May spring and summer ball create the return of an Aztec offense that blows past 400 yards per game, one way or the other.
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