SDSU CAN GET BACK TO .500 WITH VICTORY
Wolf Pack have lost 16 straight games as they take on Aztecs
Searching for a statistic to sink his teeth into when pumping up Nevada, this week’s winless visitor to Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego State coach Brady Hoke settled on opponents’ composite record.
“The opponents that they have played are 26-9,” Hoke said, “so they have played some pretty good football teams.”
Does that explain why Nevada is scoring only 17.3 points a game (126th in the nation) while giving up 39.5 points a game (129th)? Not exactly.
The Wolf Pack did come close to beating one opponent, losing 31-24 to Kansas in a Week 3 game that was tied midway through the fourth quarter.
But close doesn’t count, and Nevada’s losing streak now sits at 16 games.
The Aztecs (3-4, 1-2 Mountain West) will try to get back to .500 tonight against Nevada (0-6, 0-2).
Here are five things to watch:
1. Fast start
SDSU’s first offensive possession last week started on Hawaii’s 13-yard line after Eric Butler blocked a Rainbow Warriors punt.
The Aztecs couldn’t advance the ball to the end zone, however, and settled for a field goal.
It continued SDSU’s stretch of slow starts this season. The offense has scored only three first-quarter TDs in seven games. San Diego State has yet to score on its opening drive.
The closest SDSU came to an opening TD was against Boise State, when quarterback Jalen Mayden fumbled on a first-and-goal from the Broncos’ 1-yard line.
The good news for SDSU: Nevada’s opponents this season have scored nine first-quarter touchdowns. In four of six games, the Wolf Pack has allowed opponents