Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, December 24
7:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
vs
San Diego State University
Preview: Q&A with San Diego State Beat Writer Kirk Kenney
12/23/2022 12:15:00 PM | Football
Aztecs enter Saturday’s game with a much-improved offense and stout defense and special teams
HONOLULU, Hawai'i — Amid all the glitz, the glamour and the tiki torches around the island, there's still a football game to be played.
The Middle Tennessee football team will kick off with the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2022 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. CT/3 p.m. HST.
Chip Walters and Duane Hickey will have the call over the air on the Blue Raider Radio Network. TV Coverage will be on ESPN, with Mike Monaco, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich on the call. And looking at the game notes, you can catch the national radio broadcast via ESPN as well, with Kevin Winter and Jack Ford holding serve.
Where you and your family may be Christmas Eve, both coaching staffs have been publicly very complimentary of each other's programs, with MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill highlighting the tradition of the Aztecs' recent success, including a 12-2 season in 2021, while SDSU Head Coach Brady Hoke has raved about MTSU's special team skill, and how that showcases the strong level of coaching and preparation throughout the roster.
"We're very excited to compete against a very good football team," Hoke said at the Hawai'i Bowl Kickoff Press Conference. "In some ways our seasons were the same...Coach has been doing this a long time. You can always tell when you look at special teams and how good they are in their special team with the commitment that they make."
On a statistical level, San Diego State looks every bit the Mountain West power they historically have been under Hoke, who's in the third season of his second stint as the Aztecs' head coach. Hoke is 36–23 while leading SDSU on the sidelines.
Holding opponents to just over 20 points per game, the 3-3-5 defense of defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix challenges opposing offenses with a wide variety of fronts as well as myriad ways to generate pressure. Offensively, a midseason coaching staff change and quarterback shakeup have dramatically improved results, going from a bottom 20 (116) offense to an above-average unit.
All while also boasting one of the top-rated special teams' units in all of college football (rated 15th in ESPN's SP+ rankings for special teams).
To learn a bit more about the roller coaster 7-5 season for SDSU, GoBlueRaiders.com staff writer reached out to Kirk Kenney, who covers the Aztecs for the San Diego Union-Tribune. You check out Kenney's work here and follow him on Twitter @sdutkirKDKenney.
Kenney discussed the offensive changes, QB-turned-Safety-turned-QB Jalen Mayden, kicker AND punter Jake Browning, as well as some keys to the game.
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1. SDSU's game notes note the improvement the offense has made since the beginning of October, when Jeff Horton was moved from running backs coach to offensive coordinator and Ryan Lindley was added to the staff as quarterbacks coach. What changes have you observed since the coaching switch-up? Are there clear play calling changes, is it just better execution, or some combination of both?
The offensive improvement that came with the staff and quarterback changes was a combination of things. Horton put players in a better position to succeed, pared back the playbook and brought back a few plays that were successful during his earlier time as OC. Lindley is not far removed from his playing days, seems relatable, personable and had instant rapport in the QB room.
2. More than a few signal callers took some meaningful snaps at quarterback this season for SDSU, but Jalen Mayden clearly has taken the job for himself to close the season. What has the converted safety, and Mississippi State transfer, done to separate himself at that position compared to his peers at the position?
Two weeks before he was back at quarterback, Mayden played 65 snaps at safety against Toledo and was second on the team with eight tackles. When he returned to QB, Mayden brought added toughness to the position. What was almost inexplicable, given his time away from the offense, was the calmness and composure he displayed from the moment he stepped behind center. He showed a willingness to stay in the pocket under duress while waiting for plays to develop, threw a catchable ball that allowed receivers to make plays and made plays himself when forced to improvise. SDSU ranked 131st in the nation in passing — last — when he took over. Mayden averaged 245 yards a game passing, which would rank 53rd among FBS teams.
3. The base 3-3-5 defense SDSU runs will offer MTSU a plethora of looks the Blue Raiders may not have seen regularly during the regular season in Oahu, and the unit has certainly been a strength during Brady Hoke's tenure in San Diego. What key players have made that unit so strong this season?
Defensive end Jonah Tavai, who earned second-team All-American honors, has been the most disruptive force up front, leading the team with nine sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. Linebacker Michael Shawcroft has a nose for the ball and leads the team with 77 tackles. That's 18 more than safety Patrick McMorris, who is second on the team in tackles. McMorris (five bass breakups) and Dallas Branch (three interceptions) lead a secondary that has 10 of the team's 12 interceptions.
4. Stockstill and Jaylin Lane highlighted the strength of SDSU's special teams unit in all special team phases, something MTSU also places a heavy emphasis on in their program. Kicker/Punter Jack Browning will get the headlines as MW Special Teams player of the year, of course, but I was also impressed by Jordan Byrd at kick and punt return. What insight can you give into what makes those players so great in that part of the game for the Aztecs?
Browning had a tough act to follow in Matt Araiza, who was the 2021 Ray Guy Award winner as the nation's top punter. But Browning, who was 17-for-21 on field goals this season, averaged nearly 46 yards a punt. He had 28 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Several times it was Byrd downing the ball. The New Mexico native was a state sprint champion in high school and a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, especially if he gets to the outside. He was the first FBS player in four years with at least one rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, punt return touchdown and kickoff return touchdown in the same season.
5. Both programs will be looking for their second bowl win in as many years in Hawai'i, with SDSU entering the Christmas Eve contest slightly favored by our friends in the desert. What do you think will be the keys to the game for the Aztecs to return the mainland with a win?
SDSU showed tremendous offensive improvement the second half of the year, but closed out the regular season with only three points against Air Force. The Aztecs must relocate the offense against Middle Tennessee if they hope to win. Defensively, they have to put pressure on Chase Cunningham and prevent him from getting into a rhythm with his receivers. And, of course, SDSU has to prevent the Blue Raiders from adding to their blocked kick total.
The Middle Tennessee football team will kick off with the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2022 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. CT/3 p.m. HST.
Chip Walters and Duane Hickey will have the call over the air on the Blue Raider Radio Network. TV Coverage will be on ESPN, with Mike Monaco, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich on the call. And looking at the game notes, you can catch the national radio broadcast via ESPN as well, with Kevin Winter and Jack Ford holding serve.
Where you and your family may be Christmas Eve, both coaching staffs have been publicly very complimentary of each other's programs, with MTSU Head Coach Rick Stockstill highlighting the tradition of the Aztecs' recent success, including a 12-2 season in 2021, while SDSU Head Coach Brady Hoke has raved about MTSU's special team skill, and how that showcases the strong level of coaching and preparation throughout the roster.
"We're very excited to compete against a very good football team," Hoke said at the Hawai'i Bowl Kickoff Press Conference. "In some ways our seasons were the same...Coach has been doing this a long time. You can always tell when you look at special teams and how good they are in their special team with the commitment that they make."
On a statistical level, San Diego State looks every bit the Mountain West power they historically have been under Hoke, who's in the third season of his second stint as the Aztecs' head coach. Hoke is 36–23 while leading SDSU on the sidelines.
Holding opponents to just over 20 points per game, the 3-3-5 defense of defensive coordinator Kurt Mattix challenges opposing offenses with a wide variety of fronts as well as myriad ways to generate pressure. Offensively, a midseason coaching staff change and quarterback shakeup have dramatically improved results, going from a bottom 20 (116) offense to an above-average unit.
All while also boasting one of the top-rated special teams' units in all of college football (rated 15th in ESPN's SP+ rankings for special teams).
To learn a bit more about the roller coaster 7-5 season for SDSU, GoBlueRaiders.com staff writer reached out to Kirk Kenney, who covers the Aztecs for the San Diego Union-Tribune. You check out Kenney's work here and follow him on Twitter @sdutkirKDKenney.
Kenney discussed the offensive changes, QB-turned-Safety-turned-QB Jalen Mayden, kicker AND punter Jake Browning, as well as some keys to the game.
---
1. SDSU's game notes note the improvement the offense has made since the beginning of October, when Jeff Horton was moved from running backs coach to offensive coordinator and Ryan Lindley was added to the staff as quarterbacks coach. What changes have you observed since the coaching switch-up? Are there clear play calling changes, is it just better execution, or some combination of both?
The offensive improvement that came with the staff and quarterback changes was a combination of things. Horton put players in a better position to succeed, pared back the playbook and brought back a few plays that were successful during his earlier time as OC. Lindley is not far removed from his playing days, seems relatable, personable and had instant rapport in the QB room.
2. More than a few signal callers took some meaningful snaps at quarterback this season for SDSU, but Jalen Mayden clearly has taken the job for himself to close the season. What has the converted safety, and Mississippi State transfer, done to separate himself at that position compared to his peers at the position?
Two weeks before he was back at quarterback, Mayden played 65 snaps at safety against Toledo and was second on the team with eight tackles. When he returned to QB, Mayden brought added toughness to the position. What was almost inexplicable, given his time away from the offense, was the calmness and composure he displayed from the moment he stepped behind center. He showed a willingness to stay in the pocket under duress while waiting for plays to develop, threw a catchable ball that allowed receivers to make plays and made plays himself when forced to improvise. SDSU ranked 131st in the nation in passing — last — when he took over. Mayden averaged 245 yards a game passing, which would rank 53rd among FBS teams.
3. The base 3-3-5 defense SDSU runs will offer MTSU a plethora of looks the Blue Raiders may not have seen regularly during the regular season in Oahu, and the unit has certainly been a strength during Brady Hoke's tenure in San Diego. What key players have made that unit so strong this season?
Defensive end Jonah Tavai, who earned second-team All-American honors, has been the most disruptive force up front, leading the team with nine sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. Linebacker Michael Shawcroft has a nose for the ball and leads the team with 77 tackles. That's 18 more than safety Patrick McMorris, who is second on the team in tackles. McMorris (five bass breakups) and Dallas Branch (three interceptions) lead a secondary that has 10 of the team's 12 interceptions.
4. Stockstill and Jaylin Lane highlighted the strength of SDSU's special teams unit in all special team phases, something MTSU also places a heavy emphasis on in their program. Kicker/Punter Jack Browning will get the headlines as MW Special Teams player of the year, of course, but I was also impressed by Jordan Byrd at kick and punt return. What insight can you give into what makes those players so great in that part of the game for the Aztecs?
Browning had a tough act to follow in Matt Araiza, who was the 2021 Ray Guy Award winner as the nation's top punter. But Browning, who was 17-for-21 on field goals this season, averaged nearly 46 yards a punt. He had 28 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Several times it was Byrd downing the ball. The New Mexico native was a state sprint champion in high school and a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, especially if he gets to the outside. He was the first FBS player in four years with at least one rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, punt return touchdown and kickoff return touchdown in the same season.
5. Both programs will be looking for their second bowl win in as many years in Hawai'i, with SDSU entering the Christmas Eve contest slightly favored by our friends in the desert. What do you think will be the keys to the game for the Aztecs to return the mainland with a win?
SDSU showed tremendous offensive improvement the second half of the year, but closed out the regular season with only three points against Air Force. The Aztecs must relocate the offense against Middle Tennessee if they hope to win. Defensively, they have to put pressure on Chase Cunningham and prevent him from getting into a rhythm with his receivers. And, of course, SDSU has to prevent the Blue Raiders from adding to their blocked kick total.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
WR
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