09-09-2015 by The Daily Aztec

weekly PRINT EDITION

wednesDAY, september 9 – tuesDAY, september 15, 2015 volume 102, Issue 4

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1913

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ON THE INSIDE... SEASON PREVIEW P4 • PUMPHREY THE DAD P6 • Mount RUSHMORE P8 • LINDLEY’S NFL JOURNEY P12 COVER DESIGN BY kAYLEE anDREWS

2 NEWS

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: QUINN OWEN • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#GENDERNEUTRAL

Signs reinforce non-discrimination COLLEEN LARSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER The Aztec Recreation Center recently posted signs near the locker rooms that reinforce the university’s nondiscrimination policy, specifically towards transgender gym members. The sign reads, “In keeping with San Diego State University’s policy of non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, Aztec Recreation supports and values an individual’s right to access and utilize recreation facilities, restrooms, locker rooms, programs and services in accordance with an individual’s gender identity and gender expression.” The new signage refers to multiple on-campus gender-neutral bathrooms and other facilities SDSU has designated as safe spaces for transgender students. Last semester, ARC staff escorted transgender student A.T. Furuya out of the ARC’s male locker room after another gym member harassed him. Alison Pennington, the pro bono attorney representing Furuya, said she believes the university has made great improvements in protecting transgender students since the incident. “I think the ARC, Associated Students and SDSU have taken significant steps to ensure the safety of transgender students,” Pennington

said. Pennington went on to add that the amount of protection provided for transgender gym members relies mainly on the education of patrons and the training of ARC staff members. “The ARC has had a really good nondiscrimination policy on the books for a long time,” Pennington said. “But the policies are only effective as long as the members who use the facility and the staff that run the facility know about the them.” SDSU currently has a total of eight gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, including Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, West Commons, College Square, the Exercise and Nutritional Sciences building, the Faculty-Staff Club and the International Student Center. One hundred and fifty-four people responded to an anonymous online poll issued by The Daily Aztec over the weekend that asked, “What do you think about gender-neutral restrooms on campus?” More than half of respondents said there should be an equal number of gender-neutral, men’s and women’s restrooms. Nearly 30 percent said no restrooms on campus should be gender-neutral. And 16 percent said all restrooms should be gender-neutral. Less than four percent of poll users responded in the “other” category and said there should be just a few

Gender-neutral bathrooms have appeared on campus since trans issues recently gained national attention. MEGAN WOOD, PHOTO EDITOR

restrooms on campus that are not gender specific. A.S. Vice President of External Relations and Chief Communications Officer Tyler Aguilar said the campus has had gender-neutral bathrooms since 2013 and more of them are planned. Aguilar also said that the student

body’s general reaction to genderneutral bathrooms has been positive so far. However, Thomas Negron Jr., member of the Trans*Action and Advocacy Student Coalition, said that the gender-neutral bathrooms are not as accessible as gender-specific bathrooms on campus.

#SDSURESEARCH

$2.5 million grant to find Alzheimer’s cure JENNIFER PERALTA CONTRIBUTOR ____________________________________

At the new San Diego Imperial Geriatric Education Center, Alzheimer’s will be a main topic of research. THINKSTOCK

San Diego State, along with other research organizations, will benefit from a $2.5 million grant that will be for Alzheimer’s research. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allotted the money to SDSU’s School of Nursing, School of Social Work, Public Health Graduate Program and Academy for Professional Excellence, as well as community partners off campus. Together, these organizations plan

caregivers. Service providers who work with people with memory loss and their families will also be trained. The money will also be used to expand clinical training environments. “The project is important because (Alzheimer’s) is the third leading cause of death in the San Diego County and is expected to double by 2030,” said Philip A. Greiner, director of the School of Nursing. The organization will also develop and conduct a public education campaign on memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease and related diseases.

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- Philip A. Greiner, Director, School of Nursing

to establish the San Diego Imperial Geriatric Education Center within the next year. This center is part of the Alzheimer’s Project, an initiative proposed by San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob in 2015. “The $2.5 million award is a recognition of the impressive teamwork we’re seeing across San Diego County to address the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia,” Jacob said in a statement. The grant will help train 60 graduate students and medical residents, 1,500 providers and staff, and 2,500

Forrest Hooper is a graduate student at the nursing school. “It’s going to help strengthen our research,” Hooper said. “As the population gets older, we are seeing the baby boomers and expecting more chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s. It is important for us to focus on resources and providing the best care at the lowest cost.” Undergraduate students are able to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association. These students will provide companionship, socialization and supervision.

NEWS 3

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: QUINN OWEN • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

UGG boot founder Brian Smith provided valuable advice to students when he spoke at the first meeting of the Entreprenuer Sociatey. He encouraged the young innovators to not fear failure and aim for ambitious goals. MEGAN WOOD, PHOTO EDITOR

#ENTREPRENEURS

UGG founder speaks on campus JACOB SISNEROS CONTRIBUTOR The first Entrepreneur Society meeting, featuring the founder of UGG boots, attracted such a big crowd it caused a fire hazard. Approximately 150 students came to see UGG Austrailia founder Brian Smith speak in the Park Boulevard room of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “Associated Students actually had to come down and talk to us and say we had too many people in the room,” said Bryce Hamlin, president of the Entrepreneur Society. “I could not have been more stoked that we got the fire code called on us.”

SDSU alumnus Joe Haugh said he joined the society in 2012 when there were about nine members. “Every year this organization grows insanely fast compared to anything else I have ever seen,” Haugh said. Rommel Cabal, a graduate student majoring in electrical engineering, joined the Entrepreneur Society four years ago. He said it’s the people he meets at the events that keep him coming back. Before Smith told his story, Director of the Lavin Entrepreneur Center Bernie Schroeder shared some words of wisdom with the young innovators. “You should try to fail as much as possible, as quickly as possible,” Schroeder said. “Because in your pursuit of

trying something, you might actually ignite something and that could be an amazing company.” Smith’s path to success was unique because it essentially started from sheepskin boots, a love of surfing and the lyrics to “Time” by Pink Floyd. Smith said he was a 28-yearold accountant living in Australia when a verse from “Time” inspired him to pick up everything he owned and move to California. While in California, he saw an opportunity to bring the sheepskin boots, which were known in Australia as “ugh boots,” to the U.S. and sell them to surfers. Smith and his business partner, Doug Jensen, borrowed $500 to buy samples and sell them to surf shops

along the California coast. No surf shop or shoe store wanted to buy the boots at first, and they only sold 28 pairs the first year. “You’re always going to think like you’re failing, but you’re never failing until you give up,” Smith said. Once Smith started a surf team to promote his product, sales started to take off. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing even after his product began to sell. Smith faced a trademark lawsuit, almost losing ownership of the company and the death of one of his business partners, all while building an internationally-known billiondollar company. Eventually, Smith said he decided to sell the company to Deckers Outdoor Corporation

because he was great at starting businesses, but not running them. At the end of his speech, Smith provided one last piece of advice for students. “I hated accounting for 10 years,” Smith said. “Don’t go into something you hate just because you have to pay the bills.” On top of all the lessons Smith taught, Hamlin said he hoped the event energized students and left their minds running with ideas. Hamlin also said every great thing he has achieved in his career came from joining the Entrepreneur Society at SDSU. Students can get involved with the Society by going to their website at entrepreneur. sdsu.edu and filling out the membership form.

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FOOTBALL

#PUMPITUP

Pump. It. Up. PATRICK CARR SPORTS EDITOR ______________________

finishing third in the nation in regular-season rushing yards in 2014. With a year of gripping But there’s a little more uncertainty surrounding football fans in San Diego, to Pumphrey than just there’s still one team that’s the numbers; you’ll have to turn to page six of this not planning to move issue to find out. anywhere. Will SDSU’s defense Instead, San Diego State live up to its hype? Last enters 2015 looking for Saturday’s performance breakthrough to relevance, certainly indicated so, but where it hasn’t been since tough opponents loom in the 1960s. But what will happen this 2015. Only time will tell, year? and it’s through those One storyline to follow passages of time that we besides the neverending traveled to bring you a stadium saga is the story peak into the celebrated of junior running back history of Aztec football. Donnel Pumphrey. Allow this issue to be Pumphrey is poised for your guide this season. another big year after

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

2015 SDSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 5 vs. San Diego (W) 37-3 Sept. 12 at California 2 p.m. Sept. 19 vs. South Alabama 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at Penn State TBA

Who’sWho? EDITOR IN CHIEF Kelly Hillock MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Bain NEWS EDITOR Quinn Owen ASST. NEWS EDITOR Torrey Bailey SPORTS EDITOR Patrick J. Carr

Oct. 3 vs. Fresno State 7:30 p.m.

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Posner

Oct. 10 at Hawai'i 9 p.m.

OPINION EDITOR Amanda Kay Rhoades

Oct. 17 at San José State TBA

ASST. OPINION EDITOR Anthony Berteaux

Oct. 23 vs. Utah State 7:30 p.m.

ARTS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR Olivia Litsey

Oct. 31 at Colorado State 12:30 p.m.

ASST. ARTS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR Ryo Miyauchi

Nov. 14 vs. Wyoming 7:30 p.m.

PHOTO EDITOR Megan Wood

Nov. 21 at UNLV 7:30 p.m.

DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Annalise Dewhurst

Nov. 28 vs. Nevada TBA

VIDEO PRODUCER Daniel Galuppo PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Kaylee Andrews Hannah Lingle-Veale

#AZTECFB

Lofty hopes await Aztecs ANTHONY RECLUSADO SENIOR STAFF WRITER ___________________________ Records have been broken, streaks have been established and winning is the standard, but no longer is that enough. Atop Montezuma Mesa, championships are now expected and San Diego State football has the team to capture one. A program that just a few years ago could not even find its way on a sports station’s score ticker is now a step, albeit a sizable step, from winning its first outright conference championship since 1986. The Mountain West media, as well as a litany of other media outlets, realize the Aztecs’ potential heading into this season. For the first time in the 17-year existence of the MW, SDSU was selected to win its first title. It doesn’t hurt that the boys playing on blue turf, Boise State, are not on the schedule this season and that key conference games will be played at Qualcomm Stadium. However, the Aztecs’ championship aspirations stem from these scheduling quirks. So what are the expectations for SDSU? Well, let’s break down the three phases of the game and see what might make this Aztec team a MW champion this season. OFFENSE Let’s be honest, there is only one name that fans need to know when it comes to the SDSU offense: junior running

back Donnel Pumphrey. OK, that was an exaggeration…sort of. Offensively, this year’s Aztecs will appear similar but also foreign to last season. A season ago the passing game was marred by injuries that resulted in a onedimensional offense, but the coaching staff is confident in this year’s passing game. “I think we have a better quarterback situation than we did last year,” head coach Rocky Long said. “I don’t think we were ever confident with the backup situation last year. We feel very fortunate that we have a backup quarterback that we consider good enough to have been the starter (this year).” The coaching staff doesn’t feel the same confidence with the wide receivers. “Instead of bringing in an extra wide receiver, we think some of our tailbacks are our best guys in space, so you try and get them the ball in space,” Long said. Even though the passing game appears headed for another year of mediocrity, the most worrisome aspect of the offense is the big guys in the trenches. “I think we’re concerned a little about the offensive line because we have some guys playing there that haven’t played there before, so we’re worried about the experience factor there,” Long said. Graduation and suspension has thinned out the line and forced a couple of players to change position. With the stable of talented running backs led by Pumphrey, any deficiency should be masked.

DEFENSE It’s scary to imagine what this year’s defense will be capable of with eight starters returning to a unit that ranked No. 13 nationally in scoring defense and No. 16 in total defense. What makes last season’s defense that more impressive was that six of the 11 starters were sophomores or younger. To have such a young defense put up the numbers it did, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an improvement compared to last season with a full year under its belt. “We have a lot of experience coming back,” Long said. “They played really well last year, so we should start ahead because of experience.” But what makes Long’s defense so potent, besides ranking No. 10 nationally in passing yards allowed per game (178.5), is that all five defensive backs return from last season. Why is that important? Because the amount of schemes, stunts and blitzes the secondary has to know is overwhelming. To have five players that excelled in those positions come back is nothing short of a miracle. “They should be confident and we’ll probably do some things that we didn’t do with them last year in terms of disguising coverage schemewise,” Long said. Of the three new defensive starters that weren’t starters last season, only junior-college transfer middle linebacker Randy Ricks has no experience in game situations with SDSU. Senior defensive tackle Christian Heyward and senior

linebacker Jake Fely are the other two of the three nonreturning starters. Both those players have had a problem in their college careers, though: injury. Heyward didn’t even suit up for the first two games last season, as he was still recovering from an injury sustained during that summer. Fely had his 2014 season ended prematurely due to a dislocated wrist. SPECIAL TEAMS Not enough can be said about senior kicker Donny Hageman. In 2015 he single-handedly cured the Aztecs’ kicking woes from the prior season and quickly made a name for himself as one of the more reliable kickers in all of college football. It wasn’t a shock to see him being named to the MW Preseason All-Conference Team and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award watch list, or to see him named the MW Preseason Special Teams Player of The Year. NEW COACHES SDSU has a few new coaches this year. Hunkie Cooper is now the wide receivers coach after a stint as head coach at junior running back Donnel Pumphrey’s alma mater: Canyon Springs High in Las Vegas. Bobby Hauck is the new special teams coordinator. He was UNLV’s head coach last year. Blane Morgan is the new quarterbacks coach. He was at Air Force last year.

VOLUNTEER WRITERS Anthony Reclusado Zach Engberg Kris Keehl Colleen Larson Jennifer Peralta Jacob Sisneros VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristian Carreon Christian Rangel Meghan McCarron _____________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Adam Zabel SALES MANAGER AJ Swamy MARKETING MANAGER Radbeh Rabaz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Christopher Garcia Conor Nordberg Emmilly Nguyen Kelsey Silver ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Alfonso Barajas Kalie Christensen _____________________________ GENERAL MANAGER Jay Harn GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Chris Blakemore _____________________________ ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition on Wednesdays. WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com MOBILE The Aztec App (available for iPhone and Android)

SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/dailyaztec twitter.com/thedailyaztec instagram.com/thedailyaztec _____________________________ Weekly in Print, Daily Online. The Daily Aztec has been San Diego State University’s independent student news source since 1913.

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

FOOTBALL 5

#AZTECFB

New uniforms give historic taste ZACH ENGBERG STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ In the past, the word Aztec has been associated with the great ancient warriors of Mesoamerica and with the students of San Diego State. v Now, thanks to the work of assistant director of athletic equipment services and SDSU alumnus Sonny Sanfilippo, an Aztec will be recognized anywhere by the new uniform donned by the SDSU football team in 2015. “I wanted something that displays who we are,” Sanfilippo said. “And we can go somewhere and people will recognize us.” The much-availed new look connects the team back to its glory days and to the mighty Aztec warriors that have played at SDSU. While the jersey has been in the making for two years, the idea for the uniform has existed for much longer. “When I was a student and I would walk past the Piedra del Sol apartments, they had an actual stone of the Aztec Calendar in front of the building,” Sanfilippo said. “I’ve always wanted to incorporate that into the design.” The new uniform, which officially debuted in the Aztecs’ 37-3 home victory against University of San Diego on Sept. 5, features the Aztec calendar. It’s imprinted on the helmet, as well as on the right and left sleeve and on

stripes down both sides of the pants. The team will sport the new design on the home black jerseys and the glimmering white away jerseys on the road. The helmet especially has drawn vast media attention from the likes of NFL.com, ESPN and Sports Illustrated, putting SDSU football in the national spotlight . Sanfilippo worked hard to create a jersey that would incorporate ancient Aztec history. It was a two-year process, in which he worked with Nike to create a manifestation of his vision. First, he had to check with the people at Nike to make certain that he could customize the jersey. Then once he got confirmation, he worked to find a way to incorporate the font he wanted. Sanfilippo made his design and gave it to Nike to develop a sketch and first draft of the uniform. Luckily, he had a concrete vision of how the uniform would turn out. So when he got the design back from Nike, Sanfilippo quickly tweaked the necessary things, including the placement of the trademark Nike swoosh and the incorporation of the Mountain West logo. The next step, which was the most nerve-racking, was running it by the coaching staff. They couldn’t have been more

San Diego State football has new, Aztec-caldendar-inspired uniforms for the 2015 season. MEGAN WOOD, PHOTO EDITOR

pleased. “I originally only wanted to do it for a one-game spinoff, but (head) coach (Rocky) Long liked it so much that we decided to go full-time,” Sanfilippo said. When SDSU put the jersey out to the public, it was received with praise. It all worked so well because Sanfilippo, from the very beginning,

knew exactly what he wanted the jerseys to be. “I think that (especially) college football should be about tradition,” he said. “We set our footprint on something that works and really shows off who we are.” The new uniform gives SDSU football and its fans a symbol for Aztec football past, present and future.

6football

sept. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: patrick carr • sports@thedailyaztec.com

#aztecfb

Pumphrey: Fatherhood and football ryan Posner asst. sports editor _____________________________ There’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to San Diego State’s 5-9, 185-pound junior running back, Donnel Pumphrey. Yes, there’s the running back that was out-rushed by only Melvin Gordon (University of Wisconsin) and Tevin Coleman (Indiana University) last season, who were both taken in the NFL Draft and are listed as starters on their respective teams. There’s also the man who became SDSU’s all-time single-season rushing leader last season with 1,867 yards, breaking the record held by George Jones since 1995. Not to mention, almost every college football media outlet predicts Pumphrey will finish as one of the best players in the Mountain West — and country — this season. “It’s pretty awesome just to see your name up with those guys in the top five last year,” Pumphrey said. “It just shows how we run the ball and how our offensive line worked hard all year. They were able to open up a lot of holes for me.” It wasn’t always smooth sailing, though, for the man affectionately named “D.J.”

While a senior at Canyon Springs High in Las Vegas, Pumphrey received news that drops parents’ guts to the floor and can change a life in one second. He was going to be a father. “I was scared out of my mind,” Pumphrey said, now able to smile about it. “When my mom and dad first found out they were pretty angry at me.” Instead of dodging wouldbe obstacles like he’d been so accustomed to doing on the football field, Pumphrey knew he had to tackle this issue straight on. Even though his parents were initially upset with him, they eventually came around. Pumphrey said he also received a lot of support from his friends in high school. Luckily, he also had a strong connection with his high school coaching staff, which taught him how to be a father rather than how to evade a linebacker. “They were just telling me you have to be there for her and that you’re not just working for yourself anymore, you’ve got to work for her too,” Pumphrey said. Fast forward to Nov. 2, 2012, and Pumphrey’s life would be forever changed.

Junior running back Donnel Pumphrey set the San Diego State single-season rushing record last year. Megan Wood, Photo Editor

Donnel and Maliya The idea that had once scared Pumphrey out of his mind had now become one of his greatest blessings. Pictures of him and his daughter, Maliya, can be seen scattered all over his Instagram account and he will

to score a touchdown and see (Maliya) having a good time.” Even though Pumphrey knows he’s no longer providing for just himself, he’s not letting the possibility of entering the NFL Draft next season wear too much on his mind. Historically speaking, recent

coming to SDSU. “I was lucky enough to coach (Pumphrey) in high school. It’s tough to find guys like him,” Cooper said. Pumphrey was ecstatic at the prospect of having one of his greatest mentors at his disposal on a daily basis.

“ The first game that she went to I

actually started to tear up because I didn’t know that she was going to be there.”

- Donnel Pumphrey, junior running back

Pumphrey runs for a touchdown against University of San Diego. megan wood, photo editor

occasionally write her name on his eye-black to keep her close during games. Keeping her close isn’t easy, considering that his daughter lives back in Las Vegas. “Sometimes I get emotional about it, but I have to stay strong for her,” Pumphrey said. “I love her to death. It’s hard not being there every day.” Although he’s only able to talk to her several times a week when her mother is available, Pumphrey cherishes the moments when Maliya is able to come to Qualcomm Stadium to watch her dad do what he does best. Pumphrey’s mom, who was angry when she first heard that her son was going to be a father, now comes with Maliya from Las Vegas to watch almost every one of his home games. “The first game that she went to I actually started to tear up because I didn’t know that she was going to be there,” Pumphrey said. Naturally, his daughter and mother sit near the end zone, a perfect place to sit to see Pumphrey on a regular occasion. “I know exactly where they’re sitting,” he said. “It just gives me that little extra motivation

Aztec running backs like Adam Muema and Ronnie Hillman have elected to enter the draft a year early. Neither of those guys put up the kind of numbers Pumphrey did his sophomore year. “The NFL will be there when I’m ready for it. I’m not really thinking about that very much yet,” Pumphrey said. “I’ve been able to make it through these last three years. Right now, I’m honestly just focused on this year.” Still, though, the man who carries the Aztec offense week in and week out must rely heavily on his support system to help him cope with the distance from Maliya. Hunkie back to help One coach that helped guide Pumphrey through the early trying times was his high school head coach Hunkie Cooper, who was hired on as SDSU’s wide receivers coach this offseason. Cooper had tried to keep the news of his hire a surprise to Pumphrey, but the cat was out of the bag when Pumphrey attended a ceremony in Las Vegas where Cooper announced he would be

“He was one of the first people I told (I was going to be a father) back in high school,” Pumphrey said. “Whenever I needed something he was there for me. He was like a father figure.” Knowing Pumphrey for so long, Cooper is well aware of what kind of a football player he is. But he also knows Pumphrey’s mentality off the field. “He’s a hard worker who goes about his business the right way,” Cooper said. While his family may not all be in San Diego, Pumphrey had a substantial support system to get him through the last three years. He has his mom and two brothers in Las Vegas, his father’s side of the family in Los Angeles and his mom’s side, who lives in San Diego. This system is the reason Pumphrey is able to go out every weekend and remain the top-tier running back he is, even though his life is more complex than most know. It’s the same system he’s relying to help him bolster what is already one of the all-time greatest careers for an Aztec running back.

football 7

sept. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: patrick carr • sports@thedailyaztec.com

#aztecfb

Wild Mountain West looms in 2015 Patrick Carr Sports editor ____________________________________ All around the Mountain West, it seems like everybody has a new quarterback. Garrett Grayson is gone, leaving Colorado State with a new signalcaller. University of Nevada has the difficult task of replacing Cody Fajardo. Fresno State has been known to churn out stable quarterbacks. Will the Bulldogs be able to do the same this year? University of Hawai’i grabbed senior USC transfer Max Wittek, giving the Rainbow Warriors arguably their most solid quarterback since Colt Brennan in 2005-07. Will Utah State’s senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton perform near his preinjury level? Will he even be able to stay healthy? Maybe this is the year when the MW becomes the Wild, Wild West. Last year, it was the Wild, Wild Mountain, when the top four teams in the Mountain Division all finished with 10 wins: Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State and Air Force Academy. A preseason poll conducted with sports editors from Mountain West school student newspapers show there’s no clear favorite.

Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division in nearunanimous fashion. SDSU was picked to win the West Division, garnering 114 points in the poll, compared to Fresno State’s 112. Many have BSU taking down the Aztecs in the Mountain West Championship game, should those two duke it out for the title. SDSU doesn’t play the Broncos this year in the regular season. Nothing was unanimous. Only Boise State was close to being unanimous No. 1 in the Mountain Division. UNLV’s only vote that wasn’t a lastplace vote was a fourth-place vote. The Rebels won two games last year, but have high optimism this season with new head coach Tony Sanchez, who comes from national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). PLAYERS TO WATCH • • • •

Rashard Higgins (Jr. WR, Colorado State) Donnel Pumphrey (Jr. RB, SDSU) Kyler Fackrell (Sr. LB, Utah State) Darian Thompson (Sr. S, Boise State)

KEY GAMES • Arizona at Nevada, Sept. 12 • Utah State at Washington, Sept. 19

San Diego State and UNLV line up before a snap during their game at Qualcomm Stadium in 2014. kristian carreon, senior Staff PhotograPher

• Boise State at Virginia, Sept. 25 • Fresno State at SDSU, Oct. 3 • Boise State at Colorado State, Oct. 10 • Boise State at Utah State, Oct. 16 • Utah State at SDSU, Oct. 23 • SDSU at Colorado State, Oct. 31 • Nevada at Fresno State, Nov. 5 • Utah State at Air Force, Nov. 14 • Air Force at Boise State, Nov. 20 • Colorado State at Fresno State, Nov. 28 STUDENT MEDIA POLL MOUNTAIN DIVISION 1. Boise State 118 points (5) 2. Utah State 96 points (1) 3. Colorado State 94 points

1/2

4. Air Force 65 points 5. Wyoming 52 points 6. New Mexico 28 points WEST DIVISION 1. SDSU 114 points (3) 2. Fresno State 112 points (3) 3. Nevada 80 points 4. San Jose State 71 points 5. Hawai’i 60 points 6. UNLV 28 points Numbers in parentheses indicate firstplace votes. Votes were cast by sports editors from The Spartan Daily (SJSU), The Rocky Mountain Collegian (CSU), The Collegian (FSU), The Nevada Sagebrush (UNR), The Branding Iron (Wyoming) and The Daily Aztec.

HORIZONTAL

8mount rushmore

sept. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: patrick carr • sports@thedailyaztec.com

Don Coryell Head Coach, 1961-72

Marshall Faulk Running back, 1991-93

Ryan Lindley quarterback, 2008-11

KIRK MORRISON Linebacker, 2001-04

KRIS KEEHL STAFF COLUMNIST _____________________________________

KRIS KEEHL STAFF COLUMNIST ____________________________________

PATRICK CARR SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________________

SDSU football has never had an era as great as the one that head coach Don Coryell presided over. Coryell came to SDSU in 1961 after serving as an assistant coach at USC. From 1961-72 Coryell worked his way to becoming the winningest coach in SDSU history. His career record is 104-19-2, including three bowl game victories, over 12 years. In addition, he led his teams to winning streaks of 31 and 25 games. Coryell’s teams still hold the record for most yards in a single game, at 769 yards, and highest yard-per-game average in a season, at 532.2. Coryell is famous for what he did in revolutionizing the passing game at both the college and professional levels. With his new strategy, Coryell coached nine first-team All-Americans (including the time before SDSU was in Division I). He also had a significant impact on his assistant coaches, who were future Super Bowl winning coaches and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees John Madden and Joe Gibbs. Coryell moved on to the NFL where he coached for nine years with the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers. Variations of the “passing tree” and the play-calling Coryell used at SDSU and in the NFL are still being used today at all levels. Coryell was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He was the first coach in football history to win 100 games over a career coaching college and NFL teams.

Marshall Faulk was recruited out of Carver High School in New Orleans. Although Faulk was an All-American defensive back in high school, the San Diego State football coaches offered him a scholarship to be the Aztecs’ running back. Faulk started his freshman season as the backup running back, but during the first quarter of his second collegiate game, he replaced the starting running back who left the game, against University of the Pacific, with an injury. Over the final three quarters, Faulk exploded for 386 yards on 37 carries while scoring seven touchdowns. Faulk played for the Aztecs from 1991-93, and in each season he was a first-team All-American, the only Aztec to be given that honor more than once. During his career, Faulk ran for 4,589 yards on 766 carries with an average of almost six yards per carry. In addition, Faulk has scored more career points than any player in program history, holds the single-season school record for most all-purpose yards and is the only Aztec to rush for 300 yards or more in a game, which he did twice. Following his junior season, Faulk declared for the NFL Draft and was the number two overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Faulk played a combined 12 years for the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. Over the course of his NFL career Faulk garnered first-team AllPro honors three times, was selected to seven Pro Bowls, played in two Super Bowls and won one. In 2011 Faulk was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lindley was a quarterback recruited out of El Capitan High School in Lakeside, California. He spent his first season at San Diego State as a redshirt freshman learning from future NFL quarterback Kevin O’Connell. But as soon as Lindley got a chance, he showed he belonged. Lindley would go on to become a four-year starter from 2008-11, during which he started 44 consecutive games and totaled 49 career starts, both SDSU records. He also set school records by completing 961 passes and throwing for 90 touchdowns in his career. Lindley set the school record for career passing yards with 12,690 and set another record by being the only quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in three straight seasons. His strongest passing performances include a 500yard performance, four 400-yard games and 14 300-yard performances. Perhaps his greatest contribution is something that Aztec fans still enjoy. Lindley led the Aztecs to the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl when they beat the Naval Academy, the first bowl game in 11 years. In 2011, he led SDSU to the New Orleans Bowl, which put the Aztecs in back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 43 years. Lindley ushered in what could be called the “Bowl Era” of SDSU football, as the Aztecs have now made five consecutive bowl game appearances. Lindley was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has spent parts of three seasons with the Cardinals and time on the San Diego Chargers practice squad. He most recently spent time with the New England Patriots this offseason.

As with any top football players of a certain era, offense always gets the fame. It’s a theme in college football, too, since the Heisman Trophy, supposed to be awarded to college football’s “best player,” hasn’t had a defensive winner since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997. Former SDSU linebacker Morrison won numerous awards, scared a lot of quarterbacks and running backs and was one of the most influential defensive players in his four years at SDSU. He was a two-time All-American at, one of 13 in the school’s history. He was also a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and led the Aztecs in tackles in 2002 and 2004. Morrison is second all-time in tackles at SDSU. He was also called the most “complete” linebacker in the West in 2003 by ESPN. The ferocious tackler also tied for the team lead in interceptions in 2002 and returned one for a game-winning touchdown against University of Wyoming. As always, the statistics never tell the full story. Morrison was the most impactful defensive player since Willie Buchannon, who was an All-American in his short time at SDSU. In 2005, his hometown team, the Oakland Raiders, took him in the third round of the NFL Draft. Morrison retired from the league in 2012 and is following a career path similar to many NFL vets: TV broadcasting. He’s currently an analyst for SDSU football’s radio broadcasts. He was inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame in 2014.

sept. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: patrick carr • sports@thedailyaztec.com

mount rushmore 9

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SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

FOOTBALL11

#AZTECFB

Whittaker provides security on and off field RYAN POSNER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________________ Most of the time when a college student spends six years in school, it’s not a joyous occasion. That’s not the case for San Diego State’s sixth-year cornerback J.J. Whittaker. It hasn’t been all sunshine and daisies, though, for 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back out of local Oceanside High. Whittaker didn’t play a snap in his first three years on the Mesa after suffering back-to-back knee injuries in 2010-11, and then he broke his scapula during the team’s fall scrimmage in 2012. Making it even more disappointing was the fact that he was a celebrated three-star recruit who had turned down scholarship offers from many other schools but chose to stick with the hometown team. Most players might hang up the cleats by that point, but Whittaker has gone on to start every game since the 2013 season, racking up accolades three years in the making. Last season he earned second-team All-Mountain West honors by the league’s media and coaches after being an honorable mention All-MW pick in 2013. He was also granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA because of his troubled injury history, which gave him an academic opportunity he may not have had previously. After graduating with a criminal justice degree in 2014, Whittaker began working towards his master’s in homeland security. “It’s a blessing in disguise, being here for my sixth year in school,” Whittaker said. “I’m getting the best of both worlds, playing football and expanding my horizons.” Whittaker said he decided to choose homeland security thanks to suggestions from former students and professors who said that it was an upand-coming graduate program. He also credits Dr. Eric Frost, the director of the graduate program in homeland security, for inspiring him. Frost said Whittaker is a huge credit to not only the homeland security program, but also SDSU as a whole, in an email to The Daily Aztec. “I met with Dr. Frost and that man

is a genius,” Whittaker said. “He definitely played a huge role in me picking homeland security. I love talking to that man, he’s definitely been a huge help.” Ironically, the man tasked with securing the Aztec endzone is now learning security protocols on a national scale. And for Whittaker, some of the talks he has had with Dr. Frost have carried over to help him on the football field. “We talk about things (regarding football) all the time, like security measures and things like that,” Whittaker said. “It’s a different outlook on playing the game. Dr. Frost definitely opened my mind, not just playing the game, but also for things that are going on in the (U.S.).” Providing security to the SDSU football team is nothing new to Whittaker. After being named a captain by his teammates last season, he was again given the honor this year. He’s the first SDSU football player to be named a captain two seasons in a row since Russell Allen did it in 200708 “I’m very proud and honored to be voted to this spot by my teammates,” he said. “It’s a team game so coming from them, it means a lot.” On the field, Whittaker has a calm, cool demeanor, which is not always the case for football players. For him, it’s a lead-by-example method that he uses to hopefully get the most out of his teammates. Whittaker could routinely be seen staying late after practice during the team’s fall camp to watch and scout some of the younger defensive backs and spread some wisdom during his last season as an Aztec. “Being a captain, I’ve got to do everything right and lead by example,” Whittaker said. “You can’t lead when you’re doing stuff wrong. You’ve got to do things right on and off the field.” Joining Whittaker as a captain is another former Oceanside High player who has run into plenty of injury problems of his own: senior linebacker Jake Fely. Like Whittaker, Fely was a celebrated prospect but has been hindered by countless injuries and hasn’t played a full season since 2012. Now, both players are healthy to begin a season for the first time since 2013.

San Diego State senior defensive back J.J. Whittaker in action against Univerrsity of San Diego on Sept. 5. CRISTIAN RANGEL, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Whittaker believes it’s a huge credit to the city of Oceanside that two of its homegrown talents are now shining for SDSU, but leading is nothing new for the duo. “I’ve been playing with Jake since sixth grade and we were always kind of just natural-born leaders,” Whittaker said. “Something like (being a captain) isn’t new to us. Whether we are captains or not, we’re going to be

leaders out there.” So now, during his sixth year on campus, Whittaker won’t be found pouting about the injuries that have kept him here for an extended period of time. Instead, he can be found providing security and leadership for his teammates on the football field, and possibly for the American people in the future.

12FOOTBALL

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECFB

Lindley’s next pro stop unknown RYAN POSNER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR _____________________________ There’s a mantra among players and coaches in the NFL that when somebody gets injured, it’s on the next man up to go in and fill the role. No one may have better exemplified that last year than former San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley, who was forced into action for the Arizona Cardinals. After both quarterbacks in front of him suffered seasonending injuries, it was on Lindley to lead the team in its wild-card round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers, which Arizona lost 27-16. Lindley admitted it was a dream come true to start in the playoffs, but the game didn’t necessarily pan out like he had hoped. “Any experience like that is never going to be perfect. You’re always going to pick apart the little things, which makes it a little harder to enjoy,” he said. “I’m just lucky enough to have a great family to keep my spirits up. Even my family back at SDSU, it helps me stay

grounded.” While the experience may not have been perfect, Lindley still had the opportunity to throw and work with one of the greatest receivers in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald. “I know it’s pre-emptive, but I would say he’s a Hall-ofFamer. He’s been one of the best receivers over the last decade,” Lindley said. “The NFL is a grind; you’ve got to think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. To see a guy like him take care of his business day in and day out has helped me grow as a player.” The Cardinals did not renew Lindley’s contract at the end of the season, but the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots signed him on Aug. 10. Just like his situation in Arizona, things did not pan out perfectly. He was cut by the Patriots on Sept. 5, a common routine around this time of year when teams are finalizing their rosters. But this wasn’t the first time Lindley had dealt with getting cut, so he is able to look at the situation in the big picture. “I consider myself very lucky in the grand scheme of things.

If things don’t work out in one place you just have to be ready for your next opportunity,” he said. “We’re a part of a select group (in the NFL), not many guys get to do what we do. Obviously it hurts when that sort of thing happens, but it definitely keeps you humbled.” No matter where Lindley ends up, it’s a guarantee that whenever he plays against another former Aztec, they will reconnect just like old times. “It’s a real tight bond that we’ve developed between (Aztec alumni), no matter what the age group is really,” he said. “If you see an SDSU guy in the scouting report, you know you’re going to catch up after the game and see how things are going.” Lindley and his wife made their home base in Phoenix after he was drafted by the Cardinals and spent several years with them, but he hopes to come back to Southern California some day. For now, though, the SDSU all-time leader in completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns and victories will be waiting by the phone, hoping he is able to fill the “next man up” role once again.

Ryan Lindley is San Diego State’s all-time leader in passing yards and completions. FILE PHOTO

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SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

FOOTBALL13

#AZTECFB

Football alumni find NFL tough ZACH ENGBERG STAFF WRITER ____________________________________ Each year, each NFL team tries to build for the future in the draft. Many former San Diego State football players have been a part of those plans. Running back Marshall Faulk might be the biggest name to come through SDSU, making his mark with the St. Louis Rams in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There are plenty of other players who have made their way to the pro ranks from SDSU. Here’s a few of the more recent ones. GAVIN ESCOBAR TIGHT END, 2009-12

Gavin Escobar was one of the top tight end prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft. FILE PHOTO

Escobar was one of the top tight end prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft, declaring after his junior season at SDSU. In 39 games as an Aztec, Escobar hauled in 122 catches for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named first-team All Mountain West each of his last two years. Escobar found a buyer in the Dallas Cowboys, who took him with the 47th overall pick in the second round. He was initially projected as a fourth-rounder. But he hasn’t been a huge part of the offense in Dallas, sitting behind Jason Witten. Last year, Escobar caught nine passes for 105 yards. He was a good red-zone threat for Tony Romo, hauling in four touchdowns to bring his career total to six. EZELL RUFFIN WIDE RECEIVER, 2010-14 Ruffin was one of the best offensive weapons during his three seasons with SDSU. His top season was 2013 when, as a sophomore, Ruffin had 68 receptions for 1,136 yards and three touchdowns. While limited by a broken collarbone his senior year, Ruffin entered the 2014 NFL Draft with high hopes. He went undrafted, but signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent on May 5, 2015. He was released, however, after the Colts’ third preseason game. He is currently searching for an NFL home.

Nat Berhe was a projected starter for the New York Giants this year before he got injured. FILE PHOTO

ERIC PINKINS SAFETY, 2009-13 Pinkins declared for the NFL Draft in 2014 after a career at SDSU where he played the key role of Warrior, or free safety. Pinkins was picked up by the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks with the 208th pick in the sixth round. Seattle tried to play Pinkins at cornerback, but after he injured his foot and missed the whole 2014 season, the Seahawks decided to switch him to outside linebacker. He showed a lot of promise in 2015 training activities and minicamps, and he is working toward a roster spot. KEVIN O’CONNELL QUARTERBACK, 2003-07 O’Connell was one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks to don the SDSU uniform. O’Connell holds the school record for rushing yards for a quarterback with 906. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. O’Connell found very little playing time, totalling only 23 career yards on six passing attempts in New England. He bounced around the NFL as a player for the Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers after his Patriot days ended. In January 2015, O’Connell was hired as the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach, giving him the task of coaching Johnny Manziel. NAT BERHE SAFETY, 2009-13 Berhe earned all-Mountain West honors twice as a safety for the Aztecs. After his senior season, Berhe entered the 2014 NFL Draft with lofty hopes. He was taken by the New York Giants with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round. As a rookie in 2014, Berhe played in all 16 games, contributing mainly on special teams. He totaled 14 tackles and one fumble recovery in the season, but logged valuable playing time. On Aug. 28, Berhe announced on his Twitter account that he was going to have season-ending surgery to “remove a hardened blood clot.”

14FOOTBALL

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: PATRICK CARR • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECFB

Safeties thrive under calm coach

San Diego State safeties coach Danny Gonzales (middle) exerts a calming influence on his safeties. MEGHAN MCCARRON, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

PATRICK CARR SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________

One day during San Diego State football practice, sophomore linebacker Jay Henderson swatted a pass down at the line of scrimmage during skeleton drills, which are 7-on-7 with no tackling. Fans at an actual game would’ve received the play with applause. SDSU linebackers coach Zach Arnett wasn’t thrilled. Instead, he screamed at Henderson for not covering the tight end in the flat. Football is a violent sport with a lot of moving parts that can get complicated very fast. It requires near-flawless

execution by all 11 players on the field, so it's common for coaches to scream at players for simple things, such as lining up wrong or not watching the quarterback’s eyes. Even when a player thinks he’s made a good play, a coach might yell at him. Except with Danny Gonzales, SDSU’s safeties coach. Gonzales differs from the other coaches in the calm way he talks to his players. “I think there’s a difference between yelling at people and yelling to people,” he said. “I learned as a kid if you get yelled at, you tune things out.” There’s a good argument that Gonzales’s coaching

strategy has worked. Gonzales’ time with the Aztecs goes like this: When he became the safeties coach in 2011, SDSU led the Mountain West with 15 interceptions. It was also No. 1 overall defense in the MW. The next year, safeties recorded half of SDSU’s interceptions. But statistics alone don’t sell SDSU as a firstrate destination for potential safety recruits. “Look at his resume and all the guys he’s put in the league,” redshirt-sophomore safety Trey Lomax said. In 2014, the New York Giants drafted Nat Berhe in the fifth round and Eric Pinkins was a sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks.

Gabe Lemon and Rene Siluano are two other safeties who were prolific at SDSU, but neither found on-field success after college. The three projected starting safeties this year are all returning starters and none of them are seniors: Lomax and juniors Na'im McGee and Malik Smith. Lomax is a calm, smart defender with good football instincts and near-immediate reaction speed, honed by his baseball career as an outfielder. He understands how important it is for the safeties to stay calm and process all the mayhem that happens on the football field. Lomax said Gonzales is good for the group and that he’s the most relaxed coach on the staff. “It takes a lot to get him fired up and for him to really jump on you,” Lomax said. That’s not to say Gonzales never yells during practice or games. After all, he’s a football coach and he’s been doing it for a while. “I can be loud, I mean I try to get them to run to the ball and get my point across,” he said. Gonzales is entering his fifth season coaching at SDSU and he’s been working with head coach Rocky Long for almost 17 years. Gonzales learned how to reach his players from his boss: head coach Rocky Long. “(Long) knows when it’s time to yell at them and when it’s time to build their confidence up, and I think that’s huge,” Gonzales said. He strives for teaching

moments. “I try not to yell at them and berate them, I mean it’s easy to get tuned out,” Gonzales said. “The more you talk to them in a calm manner the more they tune into you.” One such example happened one day in practice, although it wasn’t by Gonzales, but junior Malik Smith, a player with a rough history. After freshman defensive back Jeff Clay made a defensive error at practice while in coverage, Smith waited for Clay to get back to the sideline and then gave him some advice. In Smith’s case, Gonzales’ calmness and teacher-like instincts appealed in another way. Smith is from Compton, and he said it’s exactly how it’s portrayed in movies: guns, gangs and violence. SDSU was the first to recruit Smith and that’s when Gonzales stood out. “He’s not just a football coach, he cares about what’s going on with the family back home,” Smith said. “You don’t find that a lot. A lot of coaches just want to coach on the field and then go about their business.” This year’s group of safeties is highly touted and could help SDSU in its quest for a conference championship. They’re also helping Gonzales not lose his voice. “I don’t have to yell as much as when they were young,” Gonzales said with a smile. Granted, if the secondary makes as big of an impact as the coaches think, Gonzales might still lose his voice from happiness on game day.

#AZTECFB

Shaw, Brown headline honorable mentions PATRICK CARR SPORTS EDITOR ____________________________ Back in August, The Daily Aztec’s assistant sports editor Ryan Posner came up with the idea to do a Mount Rushmore style graphic for the two-page spread in this football special issue. So we set about looking through the archives of San Diego State football, of which there are a lot. And there are a lot of famous alumni, too. Sadly, only four people fit on Mount Rushmore. But there’s four names we just couldn’t let go. Not many people in this day and age have heard of Dennis Shaw, Haven Moses, Willie Buchannon or George Brown. They’re all SDSU football legends in their own way. Shaw’s win-loss record as SDSU’s quarterback from 196869 stands as one of the best in

school history: 20-0-1. He was named team MVP in 1969 when the Aztecs went undefeated and won the Pasadena Bowl, played at the Rose Bowl Stadium, over Boston University 28-7. Perhaps the most amazing part of Shaw’s history was that 1969 season. On Nov. 15, 1969, during a home game against New Mexico State, Shaw threw nine touchdown passes, including an NCAA-record seven in the first half en route to a 70-21 win over NMSU. He finished 1969 as the NCAA passing champion. One can only imagine the kind of numbers SDSU might’ve put up if Shaw had Moses to throw to. Moses was a wide receiver in 1966-67, the two seasons before Shaw. Moses was an All-American in 1967, an Aztec Hall of Fame inductee and a first-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1968.

Buchannon played defensive back from 1970-71 and led the team in interceptions both years. Like Moses, Buchannon was an All-American, winning his award in 1971 before being drafted No. 7 overall in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. But Brown’s background is one many San Diegans can relate to: the military. Not many World War II veterans are around anymore. The Nazis surrendered just more than 70 years ago and the Japanese did the same almost exactly 70 years ago. Consider that the U.S. military during World War II (1939-45) wasn’t a group of old veterans. It was kids out of high school, kids hearing about the Pearl Harbor attack and then signing up for the military the very next day. Brown was a guard and a linebacker in his football

Former San Diego State great Dennis Shaw talks with coach Don Coryell in 1969. MEGAN WOOD, PHOTO EDITOR

career, which started at the Naval Academy from 1942-43 before he fought in World War II. In 1947, he returned to his native San Diego to play for the Aztecs and was voted team MVP that year. He also came from the era when SDSU played football games in the Aztec Bowl

Stadium, where fans sat on concrete bleachers from 193667 before Jack Murphy Stadium opened. He served as the team’s doctor from 1969-87 and passed away in 2008 at the age of 85. Every one of these players made history in their own right at SDSU.

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ACROSS 1 “Hardball” station 6 McCain’s org. 9 Mardi Gras mementos 14 São __, Brazil 15 Body spray brand 16 Baseball Hall of Famer Murray or Mathews 17 Arrange ahead of time 18 Irish actor Stephen 19 Jeans accent 20 *Competition won by a knockout? 23 Magazine fig. 25 Easily led sorts 26 Seminary subj. 27 Kerfuffles 29 Easily roused crowd 32 Single

33 Highest North American peak, to natives 36 *Certain cutlet 41 Not quite boil 42 Grammar class subject 43 Slide subject 46 Common motel prohibition 47 Turned on 48 With no affection 52 Corp. bigwigs 53 *Nonviolent revolution 57 First name on a 1945 bomber 58 SoCal team, on scoreboards 59 Athenian with harsh laws 62 Race with batons 63 Clean one’s plate

64 Respected church member 65 Deuce beaters 66 Recently retired NCAA football ranking system, and, as a plural, a hint to the answers to starred clues 67 Pitcher’s arm, say DOWN 1 U.S. Army cops 2 Encl. with a manuscript 3 Type of ale 4 *Dressing with Buffalo wings 5 Nightclub of song 6 Brooks of C&W 7 Daisy variety 8 Flower child’s parting word 9 Swiss capital

10 Revise text 11 Sooner or later 12 Semi-filling liquid 13 Come to terms 21 Pearl Harbor’s __ Arizona Memorial 22 Personality with an online book club 23 Carp family fish 24 Prefix with sphere 28 Go off-script 30 2005 Bush Supreme Court nominee 31 *Armstrengthening reps 33 Mil. award 34 L.A.-to-Tucson dir. 35 ATM giant 37 Phishing medium 38 Rollerblading safety gear 39 José’s “this” 40 Loch near Inverness 43 Angels’ slugger Pujols 44 Martin of “Adam-12” 45 “Lawrence of Arabia” Oscar nominee 46 1785-’90 U.S. capital 49 Star 50 Newton associated with apples, not figs 51 Exams for future J.D.s 54 Nivea rival 55 Diary pages 56 Old Greek theaters 60 Average grade 61 Food scrap

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TEAM! • Engage in on-campus guerilla marketing • Earn extra income & have fun doing it • Gain experience in the field of promotions Go to www.thedailyaztec.com/jobs to apply

16 THE BACK PAGE

SEPT. 9 - 15, 2015 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: OLIVIA LITSEY • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#AZTECSSAY

Taking it to the tweets Here's what some San Diego State students are posting on Twitter about this season's first Aztec football game.

HOROSCOPE HAPPY BIRTHDAY (9/9/15) - Realize personal dreams with consistent efforts and family support this year. Take charge for positive change. Focus on joint finances after 9/27. Take a partnership to a new level after 3/8. Collaborate for mutual benefit after 3/23. Love is the key. HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.

SCREENSHOTS COMPILED BY ANNALISE DEWHURST AND OLIVIA LITSEY

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SUDOKU

HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

1/4

GOOOOOAL!

San Diego State beat Florida Gulf Coast University at the women's soccer game Sept. 6. Photo by staff photographer Meghan McCarron.

PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec. Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 - An intensely creative moment flowers naturally. Practice leads to perfection. Romance blossoms through communication. Take care when traveling, or avoid it altogether. Watch for surprises and potential collisions. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - Make a mess and clean it up at home. Less structure may mean more creative results. Use and conserve available resources. Cash in coupons and rebates. Talk about what you want to create and get family involved. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - Obsess on studies and research. Take advantage of a clear head and exceptional cleverness. Discuss methods, procedures and priorities with coworkers. Compromise, when useful. Don't stretch the truth now, not even a little. Conserve energy and resources. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Crank up productivity for profitable results. Upgrade communications tools and methods. Is there an app for that? Study and practice. Reserve your strength. Thorough attention to detail advances your cause. Listen with your heart. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - Pour on energy to amp up cash flow. Find the fun in your work and demand for it rises. Talk about family finances. Align on what's needed. Prioritize actions and expenses. Someone's saying nice things about you. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 - Get retrospective with your storytelling. Edit down to fundamental elements. Keep your objective in mind. What action do you want taken? Consider your subject from a spiritual view. Make promises, and invite others to join. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Get public and social. Confer with allies. Work with your team. Listen to new views. Others offer valuable perspectives. Don't get stuck that your way is the only way. Check your assumptions at the door. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Assume more responsibility (and corresponding benefits). Ask for more and get it. You can reach new heights. Frugal financial management pays off. Cut non-essential expenses so you can invest in your business. Provide excellent service. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Travel and fun are favored. If you can get away, go. Bring family or friends. Keep your discoveries to your inner circle. Your work is garnering public attention. Craft comments carefully and consider consequences before posting. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - Handle financial tasks before running off to play. Set priorities, with expert assistance. Don't believe every suggestion; stick to trusted sources. Invest in home, family and real estate. Manage accounts. Buy or sell. Discuss results privately. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - Work together for a shared goal today. Don't let financial constraints stop you. Avoid arguments over money, but let people know what you want to accomplish. Note your partner's considerations. Keep costs down. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 - Things could get intense. Relax and go with the flow. Your partner contributes valuable data. Logical arguments could block the action. You gain more through wit than righteous snark. Investigate with an open mind.