3 things could decide San Diego State's matchup with James Madison
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The San Diego State Aztecs face another big test on Saturday when they host the James Madison Dukes in a non-conference game at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Aztecs need to rediscover their offense after losing 28-10 last Saturday at the Rose Bowl to a UCLA team now led by former JMU coach Bob Chesney and a number of former Dukes players.
The Dukes are 2-0 after routing Wagner, an FCS program, 87-3.
The teams have never met before, and there’s still a lot of unknowns about both squads.
Here are three things that could decide Saturday’s game.
1. Jayden Denegal needs to find his rhythm
The incumbent quarterback said during the offseason that he wanted to improve his numbers from last year, both his yards passing and his touchdown-to-interception ratio.
But just two games into the season, the Aztecs have the least-productive passing offense in the eight-team Pac-12, with an average of just 101 yards per game.
The senior has completed 18 of 34 passes, or 52.9%, for just 182 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions. His passer rating is just 115.6 and he’s been sacked twice.
The Aztecs are rushing for 190.5 yards per game, which is fourth-best in the league, but could use some balance in their offense, which is seventh overall at 291.5 yards. A big game by Denegal and his talented wide receiver corps could go a long way toward fixing that.
2. SDSU needs more pressure from its linebackers
Not surprisingly, linebackers Sione Hala and Tano Letuli are leading the Aztecs with 19 and 15 tackles, respectively. Hala came highly regarded from Weber State and was a leader during the offseason, when Letuli was recovering from knee surgery. Letuli is a three-time team captain.
SDSU’s defense set the tone last season before being ravaged by attrition after a 9-4 finish. The Aztecs returned just two starters, including Letuli, and have had to rebuild their entire secondary as well as replace star pass rushers up front.
James Madison put a whooping on Wagner by piling up 588 yards of total offense and scoring early and often. They’ll be stepping back up to FBS competition against the Aztecs, and a strong effort led by Hala and Letuli could help decide the game.
3. SDSU has to contain James Madison's return game
SDSU knows a thing or two about fielding a strong return game, and on Saturday, they’ll need to tighten up on coverage units.
The Aztecs need to focus on stopping Michael Scott, who raced for 303 all-purpose yards on the strength of punt returns of 76 and 69 yards for touchdowns as well as a 92-yard kickoff return that set up another score.
Additionally, Miles Halbert blocked a punt and returned it nine yards for JMU’s first score.
Up next
The Aztecs and Dukes face off at 7 p.m. The game will be carried by The CW and San Diego Sports 760 radio.
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Bernie Wilson recently retired from The Associated Press after nearly 41 years, including stops in Spokane, Los Angeles and, for the final 33 years, San Diego. He grew up in Coeur d'Alene and graduated from the University of Idaho.