Aztecs football notes: Jordon Brookshire, Greg Bell expected back against New Mexico

SDSU quarterback Jordon Brookshire has appeared healthy in practice this week.

San Diego State offense will be bolstered for Mountain West opener by return of starting quarterback, running back

Oct. 5, 2021 5:52 PM PT

San Diego State should be close to full strength on offense for its Mountain West opener against New Mexico.

Quarterback Jordon Brookshire and starting running back Greg Bell have continued to progress from injuries, providing every indication they will be able to start for No. 25 SDSU against the Lobos at 6 p.m. Saturday at Carson’s Dignity Health Sports Park.

Quarterback Lucas Johnson started in wins over Utah and Towson in place of Brookshire, who suffered a right ankle injury in a Sept. 11 victory at Arizona.

SDSU was off last week, so Brookshire will have had nearly a month to recover by this weekend’s game. The senior from Santa Rosa has traded practice snaps with Johnson this week and in doing so has appeared completely mobile.

“If Jordon is 100 percent healthy, Jordon will go,” SDSU offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski said

Bell was hurt after just two carries (for four yards) in SDSU’s victory over Towson, suffering an undisclosed injury in the left shoulder/collarbone injury.

That left it to Bell’s running mates to rush for 277 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers.

SDSU head coach Brady Hoke said after the game he expected Bell to be ready against New Mexico. Hoke reaffirmed that during Tuesday’s midday news conference, saying, “As far as I know, I think he will be ready.”

Bell was the fourth-leading rusher in the nation when he was injured.

Missing most of the Towson game, followed by a week off, dropped Bell (73 carries, 409 yards, 4 TDs) to 44th in rushing yards. He still ranks 19th in rushing yards per game with 102.2.

SDSU ranks eighth in the nation overall in rushing yards (254.8 ypg).

New COVID guidelines at games

Fans 12 and older attending Saturday’s game will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of kickoff in order to be admitted into the facility.

The new guidelines were issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and go into effect for stadiums, arenas and theme parks as well as indoor bars and nightclubs.

A photo ID must be shown with the other documentation.

Those who can’t or won’t meet the new guidelines can transfer or resell tickets and parking passes, but a release issued by SDSU stated that “due to the available vaccination and testing options, refunds for tickets and parking will not be offered.”

Statistically speaking

• SDSU ranks 23rd in the nation in scoring offense (36.8 ppg) and tied for 32nd in the nation in scoring defense (19.0 ppg).

The Aztecs rank second in the Mountain West in both categories, behind Fresno State (39.0, T-12th) on offense and Air Force (16.6 ppg, T-17th) on defense.

• The New Mexico-SDSU series has been marked by streaks.

SDSU comes into this game having won seven straight against the Lobos since 2009.

New Mexico won eight straight from 2001-08.

The Aztecs had a 13-game winning streak against New Mexico from 1984-96.

SDSU leads the overall series 27-15.

• The Aztecs (4-0) are one of 17 undefeated teams in the nation (130 FBS teams). Eight of the schools are from the Group of Five, including Mountain West rival Wyoming (4-0).

• The Aztecs have outscored opponents 62-0 in the third quarter this season.

• SDSU punter/placekicker Matt Araiza still leads the nation with a 55.1-yard punting average, which is more than four yards ahead of the NCAA record set in 2018 by Texas A&M’s Braden Mann (50.98). Araiza’s advantage is such that he could get zero yards on his next two punts and still be ahead of Mann.