AZTECS’ BIG TEST ALL ABOUT PASSING
SNAPDRAGON WILL GET HOT, SO COOL FANS NEED A PLAN
While SDSU’s 112th-ranked pass defense faces Bruins, offense seeks air attack
The temperature at Snapdragon Stadium won’t reach record highs for this afternoon’s UCLA-San Diego State game, but beating the heat should be a priority for fans nonetheless.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 84 in Mission Valley East with winds of 5-10 mph that include gusts of 20 mph. That’s well off the record 100-degree day experienced last year for SDSU’s game against Arizona in Snapdragon’s debut.
The heat will nevertheless be significant for those enjoying pregame tailgates and could prove problematic for fans sitting in the east (visitor’s) stands.
While fans on the west (home) side will be in the shade from kickoff, shadows will not extend to the east side until halftime and will not reach the upper stands until the game is
San Diego State’s game this afternoon against UCLA is to feature a U.S. Air Force F-35 flyover moments before kickoff.
The air space within Snapdragon Stadium bears watching as well.
Can SDSU defend the pass, something it has struggled to do in the season’s opening weeks?
And can the Aztecs establish the pass, something they didn’t have to do in victories over Ohio and Idaho State?
Those are two of the storylines coming into the game.
UCLA (1-0) is a 131⁄2-point favorite over SDSU (2-0). Today marks the first of four straight games — at Oregon State, at home vs. Boise State and at Air Force are the others — in which the Aztecs are expected to be underdogs.
Here are five things to watch:
1. UCLA’s quarterback(s)
UCLA’s search for a new starting quarterback to replace all-time passing leader Dorian ThompsonRobinson continues for at least an
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nearly over.
Spectators are encouraged to take precautions for health and safety, including wearing a hat, sun-protective clothing and sunscreen and making sure to stay hydrated.
Pro tip: Bring a towel that can be dunked in cold water and placed around your neck.
Snapdragon Stadium’s website
outlines what fans are allowed to bring into the stadium:
Factory-sealed plastic water bottles (unfrozen) are allowed in.
Empty, refillable water bottles up to 32 ounces are allowed in.
Bottles can be refilled at any of several water stations located throughout the stadium. There are three water stations on the main concourse — behind sections 102/103, 116/117 and the West Club/Pepsi Lounge — and two
others on the upper concourse — behind sections 326/327 and 329/ 330. Each station includes a bottle refill area and water fountain.
Some large blue water dispensers also have been added on the main concourse and outside the stadium.
Empty spritzer bottles also are allowed in as long as they comply with the other water bottle policies.
Water misters will be present at various locations inside the stadium.
Note that umbrellas are not permitted inside the stadium.
The year-old, 32,500-seat stadium includes very few shaded seating areas. However, shaded standing areas can be found under the northwest and southeast video boards, between the upper and lower stands on the east side and along the south concourse.
More than 30,000 tickets have been distributed for the game.