As a new feature this season, Sons of Montezuma offers this quick Red & Black Report. Think of it as a bit like an accounting ledger – RED are areas to address and BLACK are those areas contributing positively to the bottom line.
In this case, black means areas that help win football games. Let’s start with red.
Red: Player Departures
It was announced this week that another SDSU football player has left the squad. Senior offensive lineman Dean Abdullah joins wide receiver Baylin Brooks and senior defensive back Bennett Walker in leaving the team during the season.
Abdullah had been called on recently to plug holes in the injury-depleted Aztecs offensive line. His absence represents another blow to a unit struggling to find some consistency and connection this year.
According to the UT, Abdullah will be able to jump into the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in December with one year of eligibility remaining since he only played in four of the team’s six games this season.
I get players looking out for their own best interests, but departing in the middle of the season leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Aztecs faithful.
When my kids were growing up and starting to play youth sports, we had two simple rules for them: 1) Have fun; and 2) When you join a team, you are committed to finishing out the season no matter how it unfolds.
Whether you are a starter or a bench player, an MVP or a role filler, you give your all to the team for this one season. At the end of it, if you don’t want to play anymore, you can move on to something else.
We were not going to entertain the thought of quitting on yourself, your teammates, or your coaches.
Now, I don’t know any of these young men personally or their situations with the Aztecs football team. So my comments are not directed at them individually or specifically. But, I don’t understand walking away from your team with more games left to play.
The Red & Black Report wishes them the very best at their next collegiate stop. It’s just unfortunate they won’t be around to help continue to build something special on the Mesa.
The Black: QB1 – Danny O’Neil
After six games into the season, one of which he sat out due to injury, Aztecs fans can breathe a sigh of relief. We may have found our quarterback of both the present and future in one Danny “Dimes” O’Neil.
The true freshman turned in a second consecutive stellar performance in leading San Diego State to a 27-24 win on the road in Laramie, Wyoming last Saturday afternoon.
Against the Cowboys, O’Neil went 16-of-27 for a season and career-high 254 yards passing.
He shone brightest when it mattered most. In the fourth quarter, the kid from Indianapolis completed 4-of-7 passes for a cool 127 yards and brought the Aztecs from behind to secure their second win in two MWC contests.
O’Neil’s play earned him the Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors for the second straight week.
In the decisive fourth quarter, O’Neil connected on consecutive big pass plays with fellow freshman Jordan Napier. The first completion went for 53 yards down the sideline. The duo followed that up with a 27-yard strike along the right sideline for a touchdown.
On both throws, O’Neil demonstrated an ability to put just the right loft on the pass to give his talented young receiver a chance to make plays.
Known as a dual-threat quarterback when he came into the program, Danny “Dimes” has offered glimpses of the all-around stud he can become given a few more years of tutelage from Head Coach Sean Lewis. And, more than likely, a few more “Benjamins” from the NIL coffers.
The Aztecs enjoy their second bye week of the season this week. The Red & Black Report will join them and return after the homecoming game against Washington State on October 26.
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