Besides quarterback, perhaps the biggest question this fall for San Diego State's football team is protection: Are his tackles good enough to keep him standing up?
Right now, the Aztecs have a redshirt freshman first-team quarterback, Ryan Lindley, who entered fall camp with two other redshirt freshmen as his main outside blockers at right and left tackle. It's not an optimal situation, especially if your team is opening the season just three weeks from today.
Which is why the Aztecs might soon do some tinkering, possibly moving fifth-year senior Lance Louis from guard to tackle.
“We're working Lance around the formation,” coach Chuck Long said yesterday. “We think Lance can play a number of spots, guard and tackle. ... We're still working toward that front five, and don't be surprised if he goes out to tackle.”
Louis (6-3, 294) has been splitting time at right guard this week with junior Ikaika Aken-Moleta, who hasn't seen much action since his arrival in 2005. Louis, on the other hand, started four games at tight end in 2005 before knee surgery sidelined him in 2006. He returned as a guard and played last year as a backup in eight games.
“I'm just trying to attack it and help the youngsters out and get them ready for a good year,” Louis said. “I'm just trying to give it my hardest. I want to win.”
Sophomore Trask Iosefa started every game at center last year and is back this year. At left guard, senior returning starter Mike Schmidt is probably the Aztecs' most solid offensive lineman.
Knee sprain
Senior starting safety
Corey Boudreaux sprained his knee during a drill in practice Thursday and did not participate in yesterday's practice. Long said it was a sprain and that he expects him back soon. In Boudreaux's place, junior
Nick Sandford worked with the first-team defense.
“When guys go down, people have to step up and take off right where they left off,” Sandford said. “So that's what I'm trying to do is play that role.”
Personnel updates
The NCAA Clearinghouse has cleared freshman running back
Ramon Judkins to participate, Long said. He had been held back while his academic status was being reviewed. ... Among those Long cited as having good first weeks of practice are Cerritos College transfer DB
Davion Mauldin and senior cornerback
Vonnie Holmes. Two freshman linebackers also have caught his eye:
Rob Andrews and
Colin Shumate. ... The Aztecs installed the two-minute offense in practice yesterday. Last year, it served them well at times. This year, Long said, “we need to see if the quarterbacks can handle it because that's where it starts. We have a pretty good pace other than two-minute drill anyway.”
Summer school
A number of players weren't too happy this summer when Long didn't allocate them a scholarship stipend for the second session of summer school. That check is usually for around $600 and helps pay school expenses. But Long had an explanation:
“Everything is on an earn-your-way basis,” Long said. “If I don't think they deserve it for that second summer session, they don't get it. It all goes through me.”
Long said he'd rather not say how many were denied such stipends.
Brent Schrotenboer: (619) 293-1368; brent.schrotenboer@uniontrib.com
