SDSU FOOTBALL: SEAN LEWIS PREVIEWS HOME OPENER VS. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE

Happy game week Happy game week right excited to get the start of the the season rolling here obviously a lot of anticipation a lot of work's gone into this excited for for Saturday and uh get an opportunity to to coach our guys lead our guys see our community and uh see everyone show up so we can pack Snapdragon have an unbelievable home atmosphere uh for for a dangerous opponent in Texas Commerce what you guys want to talk about what's your main message to the team with this game approach control the controllables right there's there's a ton of variables to this OB ly with all the change that's happened here all the change that's happened on on their roster and there's always some fun with week one where you got a lot a lot of extra time on your hands to chase ghosts and do different things right so when when the moment comes we got to make sure that we're controlling the controllables right like what's our mindset what's our Focus what's our attention to detail what's the effort that we're playing with and doing that consistently for for four quarters One play at a time you got one controlable you want them to focus on what would be what would it be their Focus right I mean it's the first day of school today the it's going to be a first time for a lot of these guys uh you know playing meaningful snaps in a in a role that a lot of these guys are are not accustomed to you know a lot of guys getting their their first starts and there's a lot of expectations their their their roles and responsibilities have grown you know from where they were here last year in the past or where they were coming from right so literally their Focus right where are they putting their time their effort their energy um all through this week leading up to the moment and then being present in the moment on Saturday with with an elite level of focus how much anticipation is there for you Sean I mean you talk about changing jobs to camps to buildup I mean it's finally here how are you feeling I'm feeling good right I mean like this is everything that we've done since we've gotten here right like creating buzz and you know doing the surfing and all the community activities and all that stuff it's been a lot of fun right and it's been great to to get immersed in in San Diego but you know we're here to pour in the guys and we're here to to maximize these these 12 opportunities these 12 games that count the most right and so to be in gameweek and to be present in this moment and to go you know learn about our team and see what we got and to to step in that comp competitive arena with them I'm really excited for that opportunity I think fans have heard a lot about Aztec fast offense what can they expect to see when they finally get out there on Saturday yeah I mean it should be a fun brand of football right where those guys are being accountable to one another we're we're smart and we're you know limiting the the unforced errors and the foolish penalties and that when push comes to shove that they're they're a tough unit right that that that finds a way to to handle the adversity that we know it's going to come because winning is hard regardless of who the opponent is right but they find a way to to overcome that and come out on the right side play after play after play and then last one for me just your decision to go with Danny what went into that and how excited you watch a true freshman be out there yeah I mean his consistency in in his prep you know the way that he went about his process and and just the way that he's conducted himself since he's been here right and so you know it's our job to put him in a great position to be successful it's the you know the job and the role of everyone within the organization in all three phases to to be at their best right knowing that this is going to be his first Collegian start and as a true freshman rolling through it right so that they can help him be better and so that he can help those around him be better but but you know again he's earned that opportunity and excited to to lead him and guide him so that we can find success what's your scouting report on Texas dangerous right I mean that they have gone out and you know gotten some some real weapons at the wide receiver position um they like to spread you out they they Lean On The Run game you know they're they're not afraid to throw four verticals their their quarterback is a dual threat kid who you know two years ago was productive and and dangerous you know defensively they'll they'll come off the bus and Blitz you from anywhere and everywhere um you know and you know you got to again no one understand how challenging it is to win regardless of who the opponent is and these guys have enough players they're really well well coached and um you know they they're dangerous enough right and they're going to stress you in a lot of different ways so so we got to you know handle what we can control the controllables again right and uh make sure that we're doing our part right to to go earn this Victory a lot of people are going to see they were one in nine last year is this a whole different team yeah I mean again there's been a ton of changes they got new play calls they they went and got some pieces out of the portal and yeah they're don't let the record fool you they're a dangerous club right and again winnings winning is hard and we have to respect this process as we go through it we got to do a great job you know within the game and and make sure that you know we we maximize the opportunities that we have I would think you still be a prohibited favor iserve any concern your players with pass them because you have another you know powerful School com up I I think we'd be very foolish to do that and I know as a staff we're going to make sure that we're locked into to this moment right here what is it about there quarterback provide for you guys who didn't who didn't play last year what what what kind type of skill set does he have yeah I mean he's very accurate he he he can extend the plays right if you don't do a good job with your Rush lanes and keep him in the pocket you know he can extend plays and create both with his arm and with his feet um you know and he's a Savvy football player you can tell that there was a level of comfort you know in 2022 as he continued to move through it to where he was making good good decisions with all that he was doing right so you know he's got a high football IQ and um again like that that dual threat ability you know it's always a little bit concerning it causes for some some sleepless nights right because he can hurt you in a lot of different ways with both his arm and his feet what what about just special teams in general week one because it feels like as opposed to offense or defense you're kind of cautious in terms of going live with special teams at times how much of a factor can it be one big play special team huge right I mean I think we saw that in a lot of the the week zero games to where you know there's there's things that pop up in special teams and that's really the glue that holds you know the offense and the defense together right and so again you got guys that need to embrace their roles they have a an all conf punter on their sideline who who's you know a dynamic playmaker for them in a lot of ways I mean sh there was a play last year where you know wasn't even designed you know fake uh fake punt where he kind of bobbled a snap picked it up there was no contain to it and he just ran forward and you know and he's along the right Edge there and it's like you know he's got a vice tackle coming at him and there's you know two three yards to get the first down he just lowers his shoulder and plows ahead and extends the drive right and so again like we got to do a great job again of knowing each and every single play in all phases of this game game are going to matter and teams obviously have to do their role so that's a competitive Advantage for us coach Barton does a tremendous job you know with our teams and the whole staff you know is very involved in that process our kids have done a great job you know embracing what it takes to turn that into a competitive Advantage so excited to see the the positive momentum and the positive impact that our kids are going to have in that phase of the game what do you expect from their defense uh for them to pressure us up right I mean that that's what they've shown um you know they they're not afraid to to challenge anyone on the edges and press manto man and to play cover zero and to to get an extra hat in the Box um you know so again I expect them to to do more of the same right probably bring a little bit more pressure again with a you know a true freshman quarterback starting right and and test those edges I I think they're going to you know that's been their MO and even though they have a new defensive play caller you know they promoted from within and um you know they they've shown that they're their willingness to be aggressive you mentioned Danny's knowledge at the game how beneficial is that knowledge going to be going into his first start here at the pressure yeah huge right you got to have that fun fundamental understanding of what needs to get done right how to operate and um I think again having the new technology that that we'll have at our disposal with the tablets on the sideline and the in-game communication to the the coach to player coms will be able to help him as well right but I mean he's a very very Hey kid he's doing an unbelievable job studying and preparing all the kids in the room are and um yeah without that that fundamental understanding of of what's going on right he wouldn't be getting the ball to start this thing when it comes to the offensive and defensive line how important is that battle in the trenches going to be on Saturday it's going to be key right I mean they love the football we got to kill they they love to run the football right they they lean on that first and foremost and then they they work quite a few play action passes off of that to stretch the field vertically right so we got to do a great job killing the run up front obviously with the the dline and and with our backers that's critically important right so that we can take that Advantage away from them and then again to be able to you know establish what we want to do offensively controlling and winning at the line of scrimmage I know a lot gets made about all the skill guys but the game's won in the trenches and we got to do a great job up front the backup situation sort out behind yeah I mean still going through it and still competing as they continue to go um again I've been very pleased with javan's strides and the way that he has you know really grown through this Camp as we go into it um but really feel good whether it's javance or or Duffy if something were to happen to Danny either one of those guys going in so would it be we're going to still continue to go through the week and and see how it sorts out would you anticipate all three of them see some time in this first game or no I mean the only way that that's going to happen is if we do our job in all three phases and you know we get in in a very advantageous situation but again this is a very worthy opponent that you know um I don't see that right now as I sit here on a Monday you know that being in the cards how about as far as the Playbook how deep do you figure as deep as we need to John you mentioned packing Snapdragon Stadium something that's kind of lacked in the last year how do you build that brand up I mean with all the things that we've done since we've been here and then putting a great product on the field on Saturday so that those that are there have an unbelievable experience you know you know through all the hard work that everyone in the athletic department has been doing right and that we do our part in between the white lines that people who are there want to come back next week people who aren't there feel like they missed out on something and looking forward to you know putting that product on the field that that's a spot to be every single home game in the fall that you're going to be at Snap Dragon it's going to be the party that kicks off the whole athletic um calendar you know for SDSU and then that party just rolls into V house as we move through it right but it all starts at Snapdragon and we need the support and we need to turn that that beautiful Stadium into you know one of the best HomeField advantages in all the Mountain West War walks moving to the South entrance what does a tradition like that mean to you it's really cool right I mean I think all those traditions and pantry is what makes college football so fun right and so to be able to put that you know closer to where the tailgating is going to be happening and and to have our fans there to again interact with our guys and to you know share in the game day experience I think that's going to be really special I think on defense on the dep there still like four next to n of 11 position yep what does that camp and then did the guys were first that yeah I mean when we submitted those those dep charts and everything right those are the guys that performed at the best level right but again the guys behind them we know are only a snap away and they're going to get some meaningful reps as well and so as we continue to refine the plan as we get closer right those guys in those or positions both of them are going to play right dictated on Personnel packages and what they do and how they come out because I know they're going to have some wrinkles for us right but all those guys that are listed as ORS I know they're going to be able to play at a level that's going to help us win with the name list be the guy first on the Feld yeah yep coach with the players that were voted as captains by the team two transfers two players who went to high school year just speak about the leadership that they have and how they were able to bring together you know this group as a whole that had so many new faces yeah I mean again those three guys between you know Trey white and Tano and Coupe you know again it goes to their their daily process right to where each and every single day since they've been here whenever they joined the program you know I think the kids have recognized their consistency right and how they've shown up how they've gone about their process we talk all the time that work works and all those guys and all that they do man like they they put in the work they they do it at a high level they set the standard you know for what we want to happen within the building and um you know really really proud of those guys and for them to be represented by their players you know that's a that's a great honor to be called the captain previous week one you've been involved with what's always the biggest challenge or the biggest conern who are we who are they right you know and again like this one's you know unique like we've discussed obviously with all the new people within our building new staff coming together right so it's going to be a tremendous opportunity to learn and to grow literally with each and every single snap and then again with the number of new bodies that they have on their sideline with the new player colors that they have on their sideline it's just again so many variables to where you can be up here all night sleeping in the office chasing ghost right and at some point in time you got to feel confident in the prep that you've put in you know what you do really really well and put your kids in the position position to be successful with that and then go lean on the the base fundamentals right and the basic skills like we can't be bored with that as simple as that sounds but knowing and understanding that as simple as that is it's not easy right um but it's just those those unknowns it's all the variables so again what can we control right what is our mindset what is our Focus how are our fundamentals how much fun can we have and how physical can we be as we approach this work are you even watching Texas ANM film from last year or is it yeah oh yeah can you pull from that with the whole all the changes you mentioned I mean there are pieces that are still there right I mean shoot they got they're one Edge uh number 91 um you know he's a dynamic player he's very productive he's got good bend right I mean so there are pieces that are there right um number seven EPS they're they're all conference safety I mean he's long he's rangy I mean shoot they they were very opportunistic in the back end you know defensively again like you can tell the the temperament and the demeanor of their offensive lineman up front I mean they're they're three out of their five starters um from last year are back right so there are pieces that are there that you can learn from right and just get a feel for you know how they want to manage a game and all those things so yeah we're doing our D due diligence with all of that right but at the end of the day like we can have the best influence on you know the guys that are in our building right and making sure that they feel confident that in the plan and what we put in place so they can go out and and and execute that plan to the best of their ability you've been in Snap Dragon a few times have you had a chance to really take a tour of it and see what it's all about yeah I mean you know got an opportunity through the recruitment process and everything to really know the the highlights of what it is I mean shoot there's not a a bad seat there right I mean and they did a heck of a job with all the little entertainment districts and everything so fans need to get there uh early to take care and take advantage of that opportunity but then get in the seats and come watch a great product and cheer really loud while we're on defense and you know while the offense is working just be a little bit quiet until we score and then then get Rowdy for us about some of the other touches around it that kind of show off San Diego did anything stick out Oh I thought it was really neat you know the the old Set of Lights um from the previous stadium that they Incorporated right and then all the personal touches of you know the the the zoo and the uh the mil milary um tiin to it so yeah it's it it was really really well done what's going to be your approach for the remain rep practice yeah keep getting better each and every single time that we go out uh refine and tighten up the plan as we continue to move there's some things you know that aren't looking right I think at this point in time in the journey We Get Better by every single time we eliminate a call or a concept because then we can invest more time in the ones that we know that we're going to to utilize um but as we continue to go right like things should really get crisp things really tighten up the attention to detail should be at an all-time high and the uh the excitement to to come to work each and every single day knowing that every single day matters but Saturday truly counts you know that urgency should be really really high and I'm excited to see the players have that urgency as they come to work with all that they're doing um you know even with hey school starting up and everything else that's going on right just the intent and the urgency and the focus that we need to have as we go forward and we get to the end of this week people here as they fast they think of passing game but you go into each game just trying to balance the offense and taking what they do you how do you I I I truly believe that if we are patient enough to take what the defense gives us eventually they'll give us the game right and so based what that looks like are they going to come down they're going to be crowding the box and we're going to have to be a have the ability to throw it if they're going to sit in a two high shell the numbers are right in the Box we're going to have to be able to run it right but we got to be patient enough to to take what they give us and then you know ultimately give us the game we have enough Playmakers on the edge and our kids are are are pretty humble and and no one understand that you know the offense works for them and if it turns into hey we're running early by the end of the game we're probably going to be throwing it late or vice versa right and so um it's kind of been that way everywhere where that we have been The kids have embraced that here and um you know going to look forward to embracing and seeing what they got what the challenges are that they present and then finding the solutions with our with our kids and with our staff to to make sure that we have some success on Saturday after that game what's the biggest hope you have that fans Come Away with that they're excited about what they see that our kids get an opportunity to sing that fight song with joy and that everyone who wasn't there goes and buys a bunch of tickets for them and their friends and their family for the next week when we got another worthy opponent that's coming in you've made a big emphasis on competition through all the positions between the ones and the twos and even the threes are you seeing just a slight difference in the ones and the twos and threes or is it for no I mean there's definitely a difference right I mean but we have some good competitive depth and you know we want to make sure that competition is always at the Forefront of of everything that we do you know again there's that old saying that iron sharpens iron right like we're still at this point in time doing good on good so we can get the speed of the game now you obviously need to have you know your scout periods with everything that you're doing as well um but we're never going to get away from you know having a competitive uh tough Tuesday practice right to where we know like hey this is a work day and we're going to do some good on good work and get the speed of the game get our normal down to distance work in before we transition to Scouts but competing will always be a part of it and I think that's an advantage not only for this Saturday as we move through the season but for these kids to no one understand in life you're going to have to compete and earn everything that you do right and so I want them to have that instilled in who they are and what they're about and so that when they you know get their degree and they go on and you know have a great NFL career or they turn pro in something else man they're going to be ultimate competitors and um you know be relentless with that trait so they can be successful in all that they do and overall the team speed have you seen a big jump in Team Speed between when you first arve and start yeah I mean I mean shoot that first practice that we talked about in the spring it was like and pain dry you know to where we're at now and and how we're able to operate and the understanding the execution it's gotten really refined on both sides of the ball I mean just the you know to me great teams communicate and when you're at our practices and and and you can close your eyes and you can hear our guys talking and communica and pre- snap you know the the rate at which they're giving and receiving information has gotten exponentially better which is going to be critical so that we can all be on the same page and execute 11 hats as one and do our jobs repeatedly play after play after play after play come Saturday so yeah that has gotten significantly better from where we started previous staffs us Su as an off day treatment what's your veloc on Sunday yeah so Sunday we're going to be in right we'll use that time to to own what we put on tape and to learn and to grow from each and every single play that happened um you know we'll do some physical activity on that day you know based on how many snaps a guy played and everything but Monday will be our off day I think that's critically important so that the guys can start off the academic week the right way and then to me there's a really nice clean break that occurs to where you know Sunday you get to put the previous game to bed and then turn the page when that practice and and the film session and the the weight training is done on Sunday to where then there's a nice break to where you can then transition by the time the guys show up on Tuesday right to where okay hey now it's a new Fresh week and you're not having that overlap in terms of we're looking back in the rearview mirror yet then we have to you know simultaneously shift gears and go forward to the next week so Sunday allows us to to learn and to grow and to own what we put on tape Monday allows us to have the time that we need to prepare and then Tuesday when the guys show up right we can be looking through the the windshield and not be peeking in the rearview mirr because we know what's coming ahead you get a chance to see any Friday football locally in high school or some scores I mean obviously aware of you know the the great things that guys are doing and through the beauty of uh huddle obviously we're well aware of it and our talent acquisition department does a unbelievable job of making sure all the guys that are on our radar you know I'm well aware about what's going on um so yeah well well aware of what what's happening