SDSU Football: Brady Hoke looking to continue Rocky Long’s success
Aztecs look to go back to familiar rushing offense
The offense for the Aztecs has been stellar through the recent years thanks to the playmaking abilities of their star running backs in Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny. Pumphrey was the Mountain West offensive player of the year in 2015 and 2016 while Penny was the conference’s player of the year in 2017.
The Aztecs have not had a player of that high-caliber on the offensive side of the ball since the departure of Penny. There is hope that this coaching staff can find that star due to top-tier recruiting.
Former Kansas tight ends coach Jeff Hecklinski returns as the Aztecs’ offensive coordinator after previously coaching under Brady Hoke for the two seasons as the assistant head coach and running backs coach in 2009 and 2011. He has been taken different cases of coaching positions since 1998. He looks to make the Aztecs’ offense more efficient as they ranked 112th (last in the Sun Belt) in points per game (21.2) and 110th (last in the Sun Belt) in total yards (343.2).
At the quarterback position, Carson Baker was listed as the No. 1 quarterback throughout the short spring practice schedule. Last season, Baker threw for 172 yards and one touchdown on 19 completions out of 24 attempts. The Aztecs are looking to accelerate the passing game as they ranked 92nd in passing yards (202.6).
The offense could benefit from incoming transfer quarterback Lucas Johnson from Georgia Tech’s arrival. He might not elevate the passing game which will put him at a disadvantage for the starting quarterback position.
The Aztecs are looking for their first 1,000-yard rusher since Penny in 2017. There have been several times that the Aztecs have shifted around their starting running back in the past two seasons. Their top projected rusher for this upcoming season is Jordan Byrd who has made a significant impact in each of his two first seasons. Chance Bell also looks to help the Aztecs improve their rushing offense.
Last season, the Aztecs were ranked 94th in rushing yards per game (140.5). Both Byrd and Bell can impact the offense by being great flex receivers in the passing game.
The Aztecs return four of their top playmakers in the receiving game from last season. Junior receiver Kobe Smith caught 58 passes for 691 yards and four touchdowns (all team-leading). Jesse Matthews caught 48 passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns as the more productive deep-threat receiver. Ethan Dedeaux projects to start the slot receiver position in 2020 after playing 11 games with two starts last season.
Tight end Daniel Bellinger looks to start once again for the Aztecs after playing all 13 games last season with 11 starts.
On the offensive line, the Aztecs have been shuffling around their starters as they had consistency problems. They return three offensive linemen that have started at least seven games last year.
Overall, the Aztecs averaged 3.4 yards per rush last season on 536 rushes. William Dunkle started 12 games last year at right guard. Zachary Thomas played in 12 games this past season while starting in nine of them. He looks to enter his first full season as the starting right tackle. At left tackle, Kyle Spalding is back after starting seven games last year.