Aztecs football preview: Coach Sean Lewis takes over amid modest expectations

• Brady Hoke took over the program in 2009, handed it to defensive coordinator Rocky Long in 2011, then retook the reins from Long in 2020.
• In other words, Arnold Schwarzenegger was running California the last time SDSU football wasn't operating within the Hoke-Long system.

Driving the news: We get our first look at that new system at 5pm Saturday, when Texas A&M University-Commerce visits Snapdragon Stadium.

• It'll be broadcast on truTV, but tickets remain available starting at $27.

Zoom in: The new quarterback is Danny O'Neil, who committed to play under Lewis and celebrity head coach Deion Sanders at Colorado before following Lewis to The Mesa.

• O'Neil will be the first true freshman to begin the season as SDSU's starting QB since the program joined Division 1 in 1969, the Union-Tribune reported.
• He beat out AJ Duffy, a Florida State transfer who was highly touted out of high school.

The big picture: The Aztecs — coming off last year's disappointing 4-8 finish — enter the season projected to finish eighth in the 12-team Mountain West Conference, according to a preseason media poll.

• Zero SDSU players were voted to the media's preseason all-conference teams.

What's next: If the Aztecs take care of Texas A&M-Commerce, coming off a 1-9 season in 2023, they'll face a more serious test Sept. 7 in Oregon State.

• That game is at 7:30pm at Snapdragon Stadium.