New Mexico Bowl preview: Three things to know about San Diego State 

Three things to know about San Diego State entering the New Mexico Bowl:

1. Few defenses are as potent as SDSU’s this season

After a 3-9 finish last year, the Aztecs (9-3) returned to form this season due to a major defensive turnaround. SDSU allowed only 12.6 points per game (the fourth-best mark in the 136-team FBS) in addition to 266.7 yards per game (the sixth-best mark) as the program narrowly missed a Mountain West Championship berth.

The Aztecs will have to manage one change during the New Mexico Bowl, though: Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich left for the same role at Nebraska earlier this month. SDSU promoted cornerbacks coach and pass game coordinator Demetrius Sumler to defensive coordinator and he will call the plays in the New Mexico Bowl. 

“He does a really good job of understanding how the game fits from the back end to the front end, and vice versa,” Lewis said of Sumler in a news conference earlier this month. “At the root of it, he’s a great connector of young men and guys are excited about the opportunity, they’re excited to go play for him.”

2. The Aztecs will miss a few key players

Among SDSU’s starters, only one opted out of an opportunity for a 10th win in the New Mexico Bowl: All-Mountain West honorable mention cornerback Bryce Phillips (35 total tackles, one interception) will not play against North Texas. He'll prepare for the NFL Draft instead.

But linebacker Owen Chambliss and defensive end Trey White, two key players on one of the best defenses in the country? Those two will take the field at University Stadium – even amid potential interest from Power Four programs. 

“Oh, I’m playing,” White said. “I want to play with my guys. We started something here, and I’m going to finish it.”

The Aztecs will, however, have to deal with one notable absence.

Starting quarterback Jayden Denegal (1,807 passing yards, nine touchdowns, eight interceptions) will miss the New Mexico Bowl after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Lewis announced last week. Backup Bert Emanuel Jr. will get the start after passing for 37 yards and rushing for 102 this season.

“We had a conversation,” Lewis said of Denegal. “It was a very hard decision. And, ultimately, we settled on collectively, together, that the time was right now, so that he could have the necessary timeframe to recover.”

Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year and starting cornerback Chris Johnson has also been sidelined with a foot injury, but could play in the New Mexico Bowl.

3. SDSU excels at limiting big plays

The Aztecs have allowed only 28 explosive plays (plays of 20 yards or more) this season — the second-best mark in the country behind Ohio State (26). No other team has allowed less than 30.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.