What Sean Lewis said about San Diego State’s first public scrimmage

The San Diego State Aztecs are gearing up for the big showcase of fall camp, the First Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium, which will include a scrimmage that’s open to the public.

The Aztecs have moved into the full-pad portion of camp and held a scrimmage that included the offense and defense facing off, with referees helping to provide a game-like experience as they prepare for the inaugural season of the rejuvenated Pac-12 Conference.

“There's only so many opportunities that you have to live block, live tackle, and so the refs were here working basic mechanics, treating it like a game,” third-year coach Sean Lewis said. “We got to see who can get the ball to the ground. See who can make guys miss. You know, be able to remember their names. Remember the calls. Remember the communication, and not lose sight of their job in the midst of all that. So, trying to create as much of a game-like environment as possible in as safe a way as possible, but knowing this is what we train for.

“Football players are here for football, and so any day that you get to play live football is a lot of fun, and we'll get to do it on Saturday as well in front of our community with the first Saturday at Snapdragon,” the coach added.

The gates at Snapdragon Stadium will open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and the scrimmage will start at 5:30 p.m.

Here are the highlights of interview sessions with Lewis and tight ends coach Ryan Lindley.

San Diego State tight ends coach Ryan Lindley. | Photo courtesy of San Diego State University Athletics.

Lewis on strong performances that stood out

“I thought the defense did a really good job flying around. Gavriel Lightfoot has done a really good job. It was good to see Djibril [Rahman] and Kai Wallin for the first time, and they flashed in some of the third down situations as we went there. JoJo [Josiah Cox] is really flying around. It obviously suits him and his game in those settings to be able to be physical, put the ball on the ground. Tainoa Lave has had a really impressive early start to camp. Derek Stevenson's another freshman who flashed, made some plays downrange.

“It's great to have Kalan Ellis back up,” Lewis continued. “Joe [Borjon] is able to get some reps, so you got some pieces of the line coming together and were pleased with that. I thought Denny [Jayden Denegal] had good command on the day as well. His process was really good, and we'll continue to iron out the details of it all.”

The Aztecs must replace four starters on offense and eight on defense. Ellis and Borjon are the only two returning starters on the offensive line, and Denegal is the returning starter at quarterback. Lightfoot, Rahman and Wallin are transfers on the defensive line. Lave and Cox are defensive backs and Stevenson is a wideout.

Ryan Lindley also spoke with the media about his tight ends group. Lindley is in his third season as tight ends coach and fifth full season overall on staff. He played at El Capitan High in suburban Lakeside before going on to become SDSU’s all-time passing leader.

Lindley on returning players Jackson Ford and Ryan Wolfer

“Both Wolfie [Wolfer] and Jackson, are like coaches to the other guys when other stuff's going on. It’s huge. Jackson and Seth [2025 starting tight end Seth Adams] were really the top guys last year. It was the first year in the program for them having to learn it on the fly, even learning still at this point in the season with Ryan. Now, even a guy like Jack Lua right now is playing really well for us. All those guys are in year two of the program or year two of the system, and you can just see how it flows for them. You know, they are in their flow states out there when they're playing, it's a lot better. And then that allows them to be better coaches to the younger guys that are developing similarly to how they were last year.”

Lindley on the tight ends evolving beyond run blocking to doing more in the passing game

“I do think we're a little more versatile all-around top to bottom. We’ve got a group of guys that probably all catch the football pretty well, can line up anywhere, and do some different things. Which obviously should hopefully give coach Lewis a couple Swiss Army knives to do some stuff with.”

Ford played in all 13 games last season. Besides being a key blocker for Mountain West rushing leader Lucky Sutton, he made 10 catches for 86 yards. He scored a touchdown in SDSU’s wild 49-47 loss to North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl.

Ford on being one of those “Swiss Army knives” who will provide versatility

“I think last year I built a lot of confidence. With me and Seth being the guys in the game last year, there was a big emphasis on run blocking. I think this year our tight end room is a lot more dynamic, which is exciting for me. I can prove a lot more in the receiving game. So whatever coach Lewis needs me to do, whether that's getting 500 yards, multiple touchdowns, I can do that. If it means getting dirty in the run game, I can do that as well.”

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