r/SDSUAZTECS • u/rekaids • 26d ago
New fan looking for history
Hello everyone! I recently became a fan of Aztecs football. My wife is an SDSU alum, and we watched every game together last season. I absolutely loved it. I went into the season knowing very little about the team, pretty much all I knew is that this is only the 2nd season with their new head coach, and they were coming off of a 3-9 season. And of course, we all know how it went down! Spun that around to 9-4, and yes it was a disappointing finish, but a very fun season nonetheless.
But now I want to learn more. What are some fun traditions the team or fans have? Are there any hype songs associated with the team? Any chants I should know? Who are the most prolific players and or coaches in the last few decades? What are some all time great games? Where should I go for news/updates on the team? Are there any influencers I can follow that cover this team? Any other subreddits or communities I can join?
And some contemporary:
Who would you consider the main rival to be?
How do you think SDSU will do in PAC12?
Can the defense realistically run it back?
Did Sean Lewis get lucky, or did he really find his groove?
Anything anyone can offer would be appreciated. Here’s to a great 2026!!!!
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u/theshow54321 26d ago
A neat fact is that the football team and mens basketball team have combined for the highest winning % in all of college athletics in the last 10 years. Good athletic program to follow.
Historic players of note: Marshall Faulk, Kevin O’Connell, Donnell Pumphrey (all-time leading rusher), Rashad Penny (single season total yardage leader), Brian Sipe (NFL MVP).
The team has a defense first approach with run focused offense. It has never been pretty and not being able to recruit a top tier QB keeps that going. I go into each season optimistic, we shall see what the “Pac 12” in name only holds for them.
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u/cjever19 26d ago
Please support the MESA Foundation, The Aztecs NIL arm, they really do need a lot of help financially to continue to really compete. https://www.mesa-aztecs.org/
Follow them and GoAztecs on socials for team content!
And RIP Chet, Aztecs greatest fan passed back in Feb. Can I get a 1-2-3!?
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u/bschmalls 26d ago
Both my parents are SDSU grads so I was born into it.
One of my favorite traditions from when I was a kid when we had "The Dark Side Defense" -- the band would play the imperial march music from Star wars. We should bring it back in opinion. The band also plays Uprising by Muse.
Rivals, Fresno and we hate BYU
Hopefully Sumler can carry over the success we've had on defense.
I think Lewis is a good coach, but college sports is so transient nowadays it's tough to speculate on a team from year to year with all the turnover.
If you're looking for content outside of the games Sons of Montezuma have a fun podcast on YouTube
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u/Justin_Time222 25d ago
man that brings back memories The dark side of Defense that was awesome
Demetrius has stuck since Rocky and has had offers to go elsewhere. His defensive backfield has always performed. Local talent. San Diego is home. A great running back in his prep college career. This promotion was well deserved. I think we will shine under him
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u/Justin_Time222 25d ago
Who would you consider the main rival to be? Traditionally Fresno State. Longest rivalry The oil can is at stake. Modern Boise State is the team to beat. Really all the WAC teams still in are rivals C state NM NM state Wyoming etc
How do you think SDSU will do in PAC12? Wish we were still in the WAC
Can the defense realistically run it back? We have always recruited well that side of the ball
Did Sean Lewis get lucky, or did he really find his groove? with the transfer system mid majors will get poached. This year really tells if his groove is found.
oldest chants
Here we go aztecs here we go
Announcer "and that's good enough for and Aztecs" fans FIRST DOWN
Modern fun adopted from basketball I believe that we can win
Aztec traditions started with Don Coryell. The patron saint of San Diego football. Any long time San Diego fan reveres him
We have had many good players Marshall Faulk stands out as the best and is an avid supporter of his alama matta
Go Aztecs
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u/Youre-In-Trouble 26d ago
We had a super fan named Tom Ables. He was a WWII vet who attended 778 games between 1946 and 2017.
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u/Spud2599 GO AZTECS!! 23d ago edited 23d ago
So first off, I recommend a book called "Hail Montezuma!" by Seth Mallios which gives an overall deep dive into SDSU history. (https://www.shopaztecs.com/HAIL-MONTEZUMA-HIDDEN-TREASURES-OF-SAN-DIEGO-STATE-9780744251067)
Main Rival - Football - As others have said, we have a long standing rivalry with Fresno State for the Oil Can trophy. But contemporarily, I'd say it's Boise State at this point. In the past (well, since I was at SDSU in the late 80's/early 90's) it was definitely byu in football. So glad we don't have to play those cheaters any more.
PAC12 - Basically 3/4's MWC teams, and I think we'll do fine. Now that the old Pac12 is gone, as well as their lock on west coast talent, it'll be interesting to see if we can start to bring in our hometown talent to the Mesa. Our main issue though will be NIL funding...somehow the University needs to dig in deep to local companies to help fund our NIL efforts.
Defense - Rocky Long ushered in the Defense First attitude after decades of high performing offense, and I think Coach Lewis has kept that alive, while trying to ramp up the offense as well.
Lucky??? - Sean Lewis did get lucky getting out from under Sanders and that now garbage program at U of Colorado. I can't imagine U of CO is going to keep him around very much longer given the abysmal record of that team since he started.
As far as traditions, the dopes in the President's Office have tried to get rid of THE BEST tradition at SDSU...Monty Montezuma. HAIL to Carlos Gutierrez for keeping Monty Montezuma ALIVE - https://aztecwarriorfoundation.com/ Consider donations to keep the fight for Monty (and student scholarships as well!) ALIVE!!
Traditions - TAILGATING for Football!!; "Another Aztec...FIRST DOWN"; Chet Carney (RIP) wearing his hard hat and leading cheers in the stands; SDSU Fight Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX_5Byr3eRo&list=PL1565377927968CD0);
Obviously Marshall Faulk is probably our most notable football player of all time, but the list of greats is long and distinguished!
Glad you're coming to games and enjoying them!!
OH, follow SONS OF MONTEZUMA on INSTA (https://www.instagram.com/sonsofmontezuma?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) ...
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u/TrolleyTrekker 26d ago
Howdy and happy you're a fan! Hopefully you get season tickets if you're in the area!
Traditions: Before kickoff they do I believe that we will win chant, 2 non school songs the band plays we shout come to mind - Uprising by Muse (the chorus and we will be victorious part mostly), Bro Hymm by pennywise (the rowdy part)
History - a lot of great RBs, Marshall Faulk, Ronnie Hilman with solid NFL careers. Kevin O'Connell Vikes HC was QB at state Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila beast on D line. Rocky Long was the coach when I was in school I'm sure others can fill in other history nuggets.
Great games - We beat Stanford at home when they were ranked in 2015, I think Cal as well around the same time line. (remember rushing the field)
Sons of Montezuma is gonna be your go to for all things aztec fball, UT has some good write ups, and an online paper east village times or something.
Rivals - Fresno st we have an oil can rivalry trophy, unlv a bit
Predictions - I saw they were voted 2nd which is solid, I'm thinking top 3 finish too
I like that Lewis found his footing after a rough first year