The season is over for the San Diego State University football team after head coach Brady Hoke announced on Dec. 16 that the program had taken itself out of bowl consideration.
The Aztecs, who were bowl eligible for an 11th consecutive season, finished the 2020 college football season with an overall 4-4 record, including a 4-2 record in Mountain West Conference play.
The league record — SDSU’s best since 2017 — placed the Aztecs in sole possession of fourth place in the single table 12-team conference standings.
While the NCAA announced that all football teams, regardless of record would be eligible for bowl consideration, the cancellation of 12 bowl games due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic significantly reduced the availability of postseason berths.
SDSU did not qualify for last Saturday’s Mountain West championship game between conference unbeatens San Jose State and Boise State and was not among the teams slotted to fill the conference’s four bowl game tie-ins.
The Aztecs were thus forced to look for a potential bowl game berth as a possible replacement team. Some schools, notably Kansas State, LSU, Virginia Tech and Stanford, simply went ahead and excused themselves from postseason consideration to allow their student-athletes to spend the holidays at home with their families.
San Diego State practiced for the final time in 2020 in the early afternoon on Dec. 16.
“Our guys have really been through a lot, I think more than any of us could imagine,” Hoke explained. “They get to play a game they love, but with the uncertainty of being able to play in a bowl game we have made the decision that we will not play another game this season.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am of this team with what they have been through and the commitment they showed to one another. Many of them have not seen their parents since May and we want them to have an opportunity to go home.”
The Aztecs, who met three teams this season in the top 25 college football rankings, finished this season ranked among the national leaders in several categories, including fourth in total defense (283.5), 14th in scoring defense (17.8), 33rd in rushing offense (199.4) and 40th in scoring margin (+6.9).
SDSU lost 28-14 to 14th-ranked BYU in its final regular season game on Dec. 12. The Aztecs previously lost, 20-10, to 21st-ranked Colorado on Nov. 28 and, 28-17, San Jose State on Nov. 6. San Jose State ended regular season play ranked 24th in the nation.
BYU, which dropped to No. 17, accepted a bid to play the University of Central Florida in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 22.
The nation’s top four-ranked teams include No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Notre Dame.
Semifinal games are scheduled Jan. 1. The national championship game is scheduled Jan. 11.
The Aztecs, braced by an incoming class of recruits and fresh community college transfers, plus players who elect to return to the team with an extra year of NCAA eligibility, can now focus on filling the gaps experienced in 2020.
Season rewind
SDSU started of the season with a bang by outscoring its opening two opponents by a combined margin of 72-13.
The Aztecs steam-rolled UNLV 34-6 in its season opener at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. SDSU looked equally strong in a 38-7 win at Utah State the following week.
But the Aztecs were not able to maintain that momentum and dropped three of their final four games to finish the season 4-4 and missed out on a bowl game berth for the first time in 10 seasons.
A look back shows that SDSU did not defeat a team with a winning record; its four wins came against teams that combined for a 7-19 win-loss record.
The Aztecs showed flashes of potential but suffered throughout the season with a nagging tendency for piling up missed opportunities.
South County and East County products played a significant role in the outcome of this year’s season.
Greg Bell, senior running back
The former Bonita Vista High School standout logged carries in seven of the team’s eight regular season games, finishing with a team-leading 637 net rushing yards and six touchdowns on 113 attempts.
He averaged 5.6 yards per rush and 91 rushing yards per game. The 637 net rushing yards led the MW during regular season play.
On the season, he recorded 751 all-purpose yards, adding 114 receiving yards on 11 receptions, to average 107.3 yards per game, making him indispensable to the team.
Besides the six rushing touchdowns, he also had one TD catch to lead the team with seven touchdowns. He ranked second in team scoring overall with 42 points, trailing only place-kicker Matt Araiza (53 points).
“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender,” Bell posted on his social media account. “The best revenge is ultimate success.”
The former Baron standout set a SDSU team record by starting his Aztec career with four consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He made his SDSU debut with 111 yards on 19 carries in 34-6 win over UNLV on Oct. 24, then followed that with 157 yards on 22 carries in a 38-7 win at Utah State on Halloween. He continued his record streak with 109 yards on 25 carries in a 28-17 loss to San Jose State on Nov. 6 but bounced back with a single-season high of 160 yards on 19 attempts (with two touchdowns) in a 34-10 win over Hawaii on Nov. 14.
The 160 yards was the most by an Aztec in a single game since Rashaad Penny compiled 221 yards in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl.
Bell’s longest jaunt from scrimmage went for 62 yards in the win over Hawaii; his longest pass reception went for 29 yards in the win at Utah State.
Bell battled through an injury in the team’s final games of the season. He was held to just 28 yards on 10 attempts in a 26-21 loss at Nevada-Reno on Nov. 21 and gained four yards on just one carry in a 29-17 win over Colorado State on Dec. 5.
He ended the regular season with 17 carries for 68 yards in a 28-14 loss at 14th-ranked BYU on Dec. 12. He was harried all night long in 25-degree snowy conditions by the Cougar defense, knowing well that he was the Aztecs’ leading rusher and scorer on the season.
The former Baron runner did break off one 22-yard gain but, after that, was held to 46 yards on 16 carries (a 2.9 average). He did catch two passes for 42 yards, with a long of 28 yards, but was otherwise contained.
He recorded one defensive tackle in the regular season-ending loss at BYU.
His breakout season at SDSU was a personal triumph after missing his first season with the team in 2019 due to an eye injury suffered in the preseason.
“The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down,” said Bell, a second team all-conference selection. “No situation is permanent; never lose hope.”
Dominic Gudino, senior offensive lineman
The Olympian High School alumnus did not appear in any games in 2020 due to an injury after being named a senior team co-captain.
Described as an athletic, versatile offensive lineman, the six-foot-three, 300-pound Gudino has played at center, left guard and right guard so far during his SDSU career.
He logged eight games as a true freshman in 2017, working himself into the two-deep with six starts. He played in 10 games in 2018 as a sophomore, starting eight games (five games at center and three games at right guard) while battling various leg injuries throughout the season.
He appeared in six games last season, logging 40 snaps in the Aztecs’ 48-11 win over Central Michigan in last year’s New Mexico Bowl.
With 24 career game appearances, highlighted by 16 starts, the former Eagle ranks as one of the team’s top veterans. He entered the 2020 season as the projected starter at center.
William Dunkle, sophomore offensive lineman
The former Eastlake Titan appeared in five games in 2020. He started the team’s opening three games before returning to action in the final two games of the season.
The 6-5, 330-pound giant appeared in all 13 games last season as a true freshman with all-conference honorable mention honors.
Ublado Nolasco, junior defensive lineman
The former Chula Vista Spartan and Southwestern College transfer appeared in SDSU’s final regular season game at BYU, making his Aztec debut with one tackle in a 28-14 loss.
He stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds.
Carson Baker, sophomore quarterback
The Helix Charter High School product earned the starting job to start the season and started the team’s opening four games before seeing limited action in the next two games as a non-starter. He did not make an appearance behind center in the Aztecs’ final two regular season games.
His season statistics include 59 completions in 104 passing attempts for a 56.7 completion percentage, 617 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He completed his longest pass for 51 yards and compiled one net rushing yard on 25 attempts with one touchdown.
Baker completed two touchdown passes in a 38-7 win at Utah State on Halloween.
Jesse Matthews, sophomore receiver
The Christian High alumnus paced the team’s receivers with 24 catches for 326 yards but caught only one touchdown pass in eight games. His biggest game came Nov. 6 in a 28-17 loss to San Jose State when he caught six passes for 139 yards, including a 51-yard reception.
He also doubled as a punt returner, handling 12 kicks for 113 yards, an average of 9.4 yards per punt return.
Contrast that to 2019 when he made 63 pass receptions for 633 yards with two touchdowns en route to receiving the 2019 SDSU Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy Offensive Player of the Year Award and 2019 SDSU Co-Outstanding Freshman Award.
Matthews logged three catches for 111 yards with two touchdowns in the Aztecs’ 48-11 victory over Central Michigan to earn honors as the 2019 New Mexico Bowl Co-Most Valuable Offensive Player.
He also returned 12 punts for 78 yards as a freshman (6.5 average per return).
He earned recognition in the team’s annual awards banquet as the 2018 SDSU Offensive Scout Player of the Year.
Matthews joined 66 other student-athletes on this year’s Burlsworth Trophy nominee list as the most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on. The award will be announced virtually on Jan. 4 to honor the three finalists and name the winner.
Michael Shawcoft, sophomore linebacker
The Helix Charter alum appeared in all eight games this season He tied for sixth overall on the team with 35 tackles, including 24 unassisted stops, while recording three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Rashad Scott, junior safety
The former Highlander standout logged two tackles, one interception and one pass defended in five game appearances. His pick came in the win at Utah State.
In three years on the team (a total of 23 games), Scott has recorded five tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. He appeared in 11 games in 2018 and seven games last season.
Aztec all-conference Selections
SDSU had 15 all-conference picks:
First Team: OL Kyle Spalding, Sr.; DL Cameron Thomas, So.; LB Caden McDonald, Jr.; DB Darren Hall, Jr.; DB Tariq Thompson, Sr.
Second Team: RB Greg Bell, Sr.; OL Zachary Thomas, Sr.; KR Jordan Byrd, Jr.; P Tanner Kuljian, Sr.
Honorable Mention: TE Daniel Bellinger, Jr.; DL Keshawn Banks, Jr.; DL Jonah Tavai, Jr.; DB Tayler Hawkins, Sr.; DB Dwayne Johnson Jr., Sr.; K Matt Araiza, So.
Otay Ranch alum Lloyd named finalist for Butkus Award
Former Otay Ranch High School standout Devin Lloyd, now competing as a junior for the University of Utah football team, has been named a finalist for the 36th annual Butkus Award. The award honors the nation’s best collegiate linebacker each year.
Lloyd is one of six finalists, representing the Utes and the Pac-12 on the list. Lloyd joins Nick Bolton (Missouri), Zaven Collins (Tulsa), Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah (Notre Dame) and Monty Rice (Georgia) on the finalists list with the winner being announced on or before Dec. 22.
Lloyd, who started all five games this season, led the Utes (3-2) with 48 tackles while also producing a team-high 10 tackles for loss. A First Team All-Pac-12 defensive selection, he ranks fifth in the conference in total tackles per game (9.6) and second in FBS in tackles for a loss per game (2.0).
Lloyd has recorded four double-digit tackle games, three coming in 2020. He posted a career-high 11 tackles against USC and Washington this season and had two-or-more tackles for loss in three games (USC, Oregon State and Washington State).
Lloyd has recorded at least one tackle for loss in eight games, dating back to Utah’s game against Colorado on Nov. 30, 2019. The junior has played in 33 career games with 19 starts as a Ute, registering 145 tackles, including 84 unassisted stops, 21 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and one 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Utah concluded its regular season schedule by defeating Oregon State, 30-24, on Dec. 5, 21st-ranked Colorado, 38-21, on Dec. 12 and Washington State, 45-28, last Saturday. He had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops and one sack, in the win over Washington State.
Oregon upset 15th-ranked USC, 31-24, in last Friday’s Pac-12 championship game.
Mountain West sends only three teams to bowl games
Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson lined up four bowl game berths to cap 2020 postseason play. However, only three MW teams accepted invitations.
San Jose State University defeated Boise State University, 34-20, in the conference championship game played Dec. 19 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The history-making win earned the 24th-ranked Spartans (7-0) a berth in the Arizona Bowl against Mid-American Conference Ball State University (6-1) Dec. 31 in Tucson.
The conference championship game runner-up was supposed to go to an unnamed bowl that Thompson had managed to line up. However, in a surprise move, Boise State elected to end its season and forgo any bowl game competition.
It will be the first time since 2001 that the Broncos will not finish a season in a bowl game.
According to BSU officials, the decision to end the season early was made by a vote of players on Dec. 20, the day following the team’s loss in the MW title game.
“We met with our captains, and after discussions with the rest of the team, we felt it was in the best interest of our program and of the well-being of our student-athletes, both physically and mentally, to forego a bowl game this year,” BSU coach Bryan Harsin said in a statement. “These young men have been through a lot this season. COVID protocols required them to be away from their families for most of the season, and they understandably want go to home and be with their families for the holidays. When they return to campus, we will begin preparations for a championship season in 2021.”
The Broncos join a sizable contingent of teams electing not to participate in a bowl game this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Diego State University, bowl eligible for the 11th consecutive season, elected to withdraw from bowl consideration on Dec. 16.
It has been a trying season for college football, in general.
BSU was missing many offensive weapons for the conference championship game and in-game injuries added to the list. The Broncos started the shortened season two months late and had two games canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.
Several players, including quarterback Hank Bachmeier, missed time due to positive COVID-19 cases.
Team captains Khalil Skakir, Avery Williams and Riley Whimpey issued a joint statement to underscore the decision by players.
“This is about a team decision and what the team feels is best for everyone mentally, physically and emotionally,” the statement said. “The 2020 season has not been easy, dating back to the summer, the postponement and return of our season and then week-to-week ups and downs dealing with COVID.
“We gave everything we had this season for each other and for Bronco Nation and are proud that we made it to the championship game despite all the challenges we faced. Now, it is time for all of us to get healthy and focus on 2021.”
BSU was projected to play in either the Birmingham Bowl or the Armed Forces Bowl. The Birmingham Bowl was among several bowl games eventually canceled due to a lack of teams willing to participate.
Former Helix Charter alum Ezekiel Noa appeared in seven games for Boise State as a redshirt junior middle linebacker this season. He collected 40 tackles (14 unassisted) to go with 4.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble.
He logged a season high 12 tackles (three unassisted) and two tackles for a loss with the forced fumble in the MW championship game.
In three seasons with the Broncos spanning 21 games, he has logged 104 tackles (38 unassisted) with 11.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
What’s next
For those teams that do participate in bowl games to end the season, they will do so in atypical fashion, with week-long festivities canceled and teams treating the game as another road game by flying in the day before the game and leaving afterward.
Also, fans will not be allowed to attend most bowl games.
The Rose Bowl game, scheduled Jan. 1 as one of the national championship semifinal playoff contests, was moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys, due to stringent COVID-19 restrictions in California on Dec. 19. Because of a master licensing agreement with the city of Pasadena, it was immediately unclear if the 2021 semifinal game would retain the “Rose Bowl” name.
Regardless of what the relocated game will be officially called, the on-field participants are set: No. 1 Alabama (11-0) versus No. 4 Notre Dame (10-1). The winner of the game in Texas will meet the winner of the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans, the other semifinal, in the national championship game Jan. 11 in Miami.
No. 2 Clemson (10-1) will meet No. 3 Ohio State (6-0) in the Sugar Bowl.
Teams for the two high profile games were selected by the College Football Playoff selection committee and announced on Dec. 20.
Receiver Chris Olave, who played his sophomore varsity season at Eastlake High School, has 36 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns in five games this season after collecting 849 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.
In three years with the Buckeyes, he has made 97 catches for 1,574 yards and 20 touchdowns.
However, he is among a number of Ohio State players who have recently tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and must go through protocols before he is eligible to return to the team. Team officials said it is possible he would be available for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl game.
Olave caught 10 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in a 52-12 win at Michigan State on Dec. 5 and had two touchdowns in a pair of wins over Rutgers (49-27 on Nov. 7) and Penn State (38-26 on Oct. 31).
He did not play in the Buckeyes’ 22-10 win over 14th-ranked Northwestern in last Saturday’s Big Ten championship game on Dec. 19.
Olave, who followed his older brother Josh to Mission Hills High School, collected 247 all-purpose yards, including 147 receiving yards on 10 catches with one touchdown, during his sophomore season on the Eastlake varsity team. On defense, he made 11 tackles and had one interception for 16 yards.
He finished his high school career with the Grizzlies in record-breaking fashion by catching 93 passes for a section-record 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns. He had 12 receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown in the 2017 San Diego Section Open Division championship game, a 26-19 loss to the Helix Highlanders.
Olave, who also excelled at the prep ranks in baseball, basketball and track and field, has certainly benefited from his time at Ohio State by winning the 2018 Rose Bowl against Washington and playing in the 2019 national championship semifinal, losing to Clemson.
Olave’s older brothers Isiah and Josh, also played football at Eastlake.
The 2013 Mesa League Offensive Player of the Year, Isiah Olave recorded a 29-8 record during his three years as a Titan, winning the 2013 Division I championship as a junior.
He appeared in 36 games with 1,653 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns while collecting 735 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He finished his career with 2,875 all-purpose yards, 108 total tackles and seven interceptions.
He rushed for 737 yards and 13 touchdowns, amassed 391 receiving yards with six touchdowns as a senior en route to compiling 1,565 all-purpose yards to earn First Team All-CIF honors.
He appeared in 46 games at UC Davis with 166 career tackles (111 unassisted tackles), one sack, four interceptions and 25 passes defended.
Josh Olave, who went on to play college football at Azusa Pacific University, played two seasons of varsity football at Eastlake. As a junior with the Titans, he rushed for 323 yards with two touchdowns and notched 188 receiving yards and five touchdown catches while making 35 tackles on defense. As a sophomore, he made 38 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
He also played basketball at Eastlake, averaging 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a junior.
Quack, quack
The 25th-ranked University of Oregon Ducks, who posted a 31-24 upset win over the 15th-ranked University of Southern California Trojans in last Friday’s Pac-12 championship game in Los Angeles, will play No. 10 Iowa State in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Jan. 2 in Tempe, Ariz.
Oregon enters the high-profile match-up with a 4-2 record while Iowa State is 8-3.
Mater Dei Catholic alumnus C.J. Verdell missed last Friday’s conference championship game for the Ducks while recovering from a hand injury. He is expected to be available for the bowl game.
A junior running back, Verdell rushed for 2,399 yards and 36 touchdowns as senior with the Crusaders. He appeared with the Ducks in the 2018 Redbox Bowl and 2020 Rose Bowl.
He has 65 carries for 285 yards with three touchdowns in 2020 after making a splash last season with 1,220 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He scored 10 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman while rushing for 1,018 yards.
The Ducks won the 2019 Pac-12 championship as Verdell rushed for 208 yards and scored three touchdowns to earn the game’s MVP award.
Climbing the Mountain
Nevada-Reno and Hawaii accepted bowl game berths on Dec. 13, prior to the MW championship game.
Nevada-Reno (7-2) defeated the Tulane Green Wave (6-6) by a score of 38-27 in Tuesday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl while Hawaii (4-4) will play the University of Houston (3-4) in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 24 (12:30 p.m. PT on ESPN).
Due to state guidelines in New Mexico, the New Mexico Bowl game will be played in Frisco, Texas.
Both MW teams will be making their third consecutive bowl game appearances.
Nevada-Reno has now appeared in 18 bowl games in its history while Hawaii will be appearing in its 14th bowl game.
Nevada-Reno placed third in the MW regular season standings with a 6-2 record while Hawaii finished fifth in the single 12-team table.
SDSU finished fourth in the standings with a 4-2 conference record but lost a tiebreaker with Hawaii and Nevada-Reno for one of the conference’s bowl game tie-ins.
Carson Strong passed for 271 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Wolf Pack past the Green Wave.
Nevada-Reno’s 2020 roster included three players with ties to the San Diego region: redshirt junior running back Terrell Johnson (Southwestern College), freshman place-kicker Matthew Killam (Scripps Ranch) and freshman defensive back Marquese Allen-Patmon (Lincoln).
Johnson, who appeared in two games for the Wolf Pack this season, played two seasons with the Jaguars, winning a conference title in 2017 and two bowl game victories.
The Jaguars finished 9-2 overall with a 35-14 victory over Allan Hancock in the American Championship Bowl to cap the 2017 season.
Johnson scored on a one-yard run to give SWC a 28-7 lead over visiting Palomar College in the 2018 Beach Bowl. The hosts held on for a 28-24 win.
Johnson finished his Southwestern College career with 247 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 12 game appearances.
“Terrell was great for us the previous two seasons,” Southwestern head coach Ed Carberry said. “He backed up DeAndre Daniels. Tall, hard worker … AA degree. Awesome player.”
Killam appeared in three games as a true freshman, accumulating 1,349 yards on 21 kickoffs with one defensive tackle to his credit.
Over the rainbow
Mater Dei Catholic High School alumnus Quentin Frazier will represent South County on Hawaii in Thursday’s New Mexico Bowl.
In eight games for the Rainbow Warriors this season, the 2017 MDCHS grad collected 40 tackles, including 24 unassisted tackles and six tackles for a loss, with one sack, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
He recorded nine tackles, six solo stops with 2.5 tackles for a loss, and one interception in a Nov. 7 game against New Mexico (a 39-33 win). He had two tackles and an interception (for six yards) in a Nov. 14 game against SDSU, a 34-10 victory for the host Aztecs.
As a two-way player with the Crusaders, he racked up more than 2,000 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He earned honors as a three-time all-league selection — twice as a defensive back and once as a receiver.
He earned a berth on the All-CIF Defensive Team as a senior in helping lead Mater Dei Catholic to a 13-1 record and league and division titles. Overall, he was part of two CIF championships (2016-17) and one state title (2016).
He was selected as Mater Dei Catholic’s Scholar-Athlete in 2017.
Spartan pride
San Jose State turned in a superlative season in 2020, moving up to No. 22 in the college football playoff rankings. The team recorded its first undefeated start since 1939, its first undisputed conference championship since 1990 and entered the AP poll for the first time since 2012.
The bowl game victory was the first win by the Spartans over the Broncos in 14 tries. Senior quarterback Nick Starkel (453 passing yards, three touchdowns) earned Offensive MVP honors while junior defensive Cade Hall (two sacks) earned Defensive MVP honors.
The Spartans, who won all seven games by double-digit margin, are just one of five undefeated FBS teams in 2020.
SJSU head coach Brent Brennan has been named a finalist for the 2020 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award after receiving the nod as 2020 Mountain West Coach of the Year.
The magical ending to the 2020 season did not come without adversity. Due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Santa Clara County, the Spartans could not play their final two home games, instead moving them to Aloha Stadium in Hawaii and Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
The team also had to conduct preseason practice at Humboldt State University and had two regular season games canceled due to pandemic protocols.
Former Steele Canyon High School standout Chance Johnson appeared in three regular season games for San Jose State this season as a freshman.
Johnson was one of the Cougars’ more versatile players, logging 76 tackles and two interceptions on defense as a junior and senior while recording 717 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on offense.
Update:
Mater Dei Catholic’s Frazier collected seven tackles, including one tackle for a loss, in a 28- 14 New Mexico Bowl game win over Houston.
Fifteen Aztecs earn 2020 All-Mountain West football honors
SDSU LANDS FIVE PLAYERS ON FIRST TEAM, FOUR ON SECOND TEAM AND SIX HONORABLE-MENTION PICKS
San Diego State University had 15 players earn 2020 All-Mountain West Conference football postseason honors to cap season play.
For the second consecutive season, the Aztecs tied for the most first-team selections with five honorees, including four on the defensive side of the ball: sophomore defensive end Cameron Thomas, junior linebacker Caden McDonald, junior field cornerback Darren Hall and senior field warrior Tariq Thompson. Senior left tackle Kyle Spalding was the lone SDSU representative on the offensive first team.
San Diego State had four players selected to the second team: senior running back Greg Bell, senior right tackle Zachary Thomas, junior kick returner Jordan Byrd and senior punter Tanner Kuljian.
The Aztecs had six honorable-mention picks, led by senior defensive backs Tayler Hawkins (cornerback) and Dwayne Johnson Jr. (safety), along with junior tight end Daniel Bellinger, junior defensive linemen Keshawn Banks (end) and Jonah Tavai (tackle), and sophomore kicker Matt Araiza.
The 15 all-league selections are the most by a SDSU team since 2001 (16) and are the third most in the MW, while the five first-team honorees equaled San Jose State for the most in the league. In all, San Diego State had eight defensive players make all-conference, four on offense and three special teamers.
The all-conference awards are voted on by the league coaches and various media members from the league.
Thomas made the all-MW first team for the second straight season after moving from defensive tackle to defensive end midway through the 2020 campaign. Thomas, who anchors a defense which ranks among the top 20 in FBS play in total defense (fourth, 283.5), rush defense (seventh, 97.4), third down percentage (seventh, .292), tackles for loss (10th, 8.1), scoring defense (14th, 17.8), pass defense (17th, 186.1) and defensive pass efficiency (18th, 115.47), became just the second Aztec defensive lineman in program history to earn first-team all-MW honors multiple times (also Alex Barrett in 2015-16).
SDSU ended the 2020 season with a 4-2 conference record in fourth place in the standings, 4-4 overall with two non-conference losses.
The Aztecs withdrew from consideration for a bowl berth in advance of the MW championship game between conference unbeatens San Jose State and Boise State University Dec. 19 in Las Vegas.
San Jose State defeated Boise State, 34-20, to win its first MW championship.
