Getting to know San Diego State with David Frerker

The North Carolina Tar Heels and San Diego State Aztecs play on Saturday night. In order to get you ready for the game, we talked to David Frerker, the editor of San Diego Sports Domination. Their blog covers SDSU Basketball, football and the Padres, among other sports. Keeping It Heel’s questions are in bold and David’s answers are right below!

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1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the 2014 San Diego State Aztecs?

The Aztecs are strong at almost every single position but defensive back. San Diego State lost some DB’s to graduation and the NFL draft. The best way for UNC to overload the Aztecs would be to through against our young secondary. The strength of the San Diego State squad would be the offense. San Diego State is returning a star quarterback (Quinn Kaehler) and wide receiver (Ezell Ruffin) from last season’s bowl team.

2. How did SDSU play in week one? What were some things that surprised you about the team’s performance and some things that were in line with predictions about the team in the preseason?

The defensive unit defiantly surprised me during week one. The Aztecs have some of the best linebackers (Josh Gavert, Jake Fely and Derek Largent) in the Mountain West Conference. They have been stung by the injury bug and are not expected to start as a unit until week 6 of the season. However Josh Gavert and Derek Largent both played some limited minutes and managed to total five tackles and one sack.

San Diego State University is the only team in the country to do the following in its opening game of the season: commit one turnover or less, have five penalties or less, pass for 200 yards, rush for 150 yards, hold its opponent to seven points or less and score a defensive or special team touchdown.

3. Who is one offensive weapon for the Aztecs that the Tar Heels will have to watch out for?

San Diego State has multiple weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The three players to look out for would be running back Donnel Pumphrey and wide receivers Ezell Ruffin & Eric Judge. Pumphrey had 19 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Ruffin/ Judge are the two favorite targets of San Diego State QB Quinn Kaehler as they totaled 9 catches for over 100 yards in the first week of the season.

4. Who is one player set to have a breakout season for the Aztecs on either side of the ball?

The breakout player would be wide receiver Lloyd Mills. Mill’s extended San Diego States streak of returning punts for touchdowns. San Diego State has a punt return touchdown in three of the last four games. Mill’s has explosive speed and also got the carry on a reverse and went for 33 yards. Mill’s is an offensive and special team’s weapon.

5. Who do you think wins and why?