San Diego State’s defensive line was hit with the injury bug over the summer and their bad luck continued in their opening week loss to cal Poly.
The Aztecs, who concluded fall camp already thin across the defensive front, had no fewer than four more defensive linemen sustain at least some sort of injury in Saturday’s season-opening 29-27 loss to Cal Poly.
Junior Tony DeMartinis, who started at defensive end Saturday, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior and medial collateral ligament in his knee. DeMartinis is the second defensive lineman to be lost for the year. Sophomore tackle Neil Spencer (shoulder) is also out for the season after playing in every game last year.
DeMartinis got the start at defensive end when junior Jonathan Soto was moved to tackle because of a lingering knee injury to senior Siaosi Fifita. Though coach Chuck Long is hopeful Fifita can resume practicing tomorrow as the Aztecs begin preparations for Notre Dame, there are others who required medical attention in the wake of Saturday’s loss.
San Diego State gave up 483 yards to Division 1AA Cal Poly – a middle of the road D1AA school – on Saturday and will come into Notre Dame Stadium with even less depth along the defensive line. There is no reason whatsoever that the Irish offense should struggle in this one. This will be the worst defense a Notre Dame offense has faced during the Charlie Weis Era.
SDSU Wrap. I take back the earlier comment. GaTech would still smoke us today. O-Line still looks weak. Poor footwork, not a lot of strength. Was Charlie just proud of weight gain or was strength part of the offseason work. They still lack leadership. Reasonable grit to come back, but let’s face it, this group of highly touted recruits is still not ready for prime time. Gonna be a long year. Prediction 6 or 7 wins. 7 is stretching it.
FYI: Maybe ND needs to be on a Skip Holtz watch.
I almost wish we were playing Ga Tech again. It would be a better test of the O-Line and fun to see Tenuta on our side against his former team, coached by the guy who broke the 43 year streak ( or whatever it was ).
But it still bears watching. You’ll want to see ND pushing these guys around. No need for long passes. An indication that SDST is breaking by the 2nd quarter. And at least 350-400 ground yards. That’ll will indicate whether the coaches learned their lesson to abandon the NFL style walk thru practices. If so, ND wins 10 games. If not ND wins 5.
I agree 500 yards of total 0 atleast!
I love all of the positive reviews and, yes, I do believe we will be a lot better. BUT, I live in SEC land, and I can tell you that a team without dominating tackles – defensive and offensive – a team can’t win against good opponents. We are looking at a 6 or 7 win season if no one steps up at these positions. I believe they will. Example, look at Alabama, they have had the same guys for a few years – they got MAD – they would not lose. If ND goes into the game with the effort of the past they will not have the dominant tackles. They only happen when the whole team goes crazy – ‘Kill them’. I think they will. Let’s go Irish!! Kick ASS!!!
Obviously after a 3-9 season we just need victories but I will not be happy unless we rack up over 500 yards of total offence. God I can’t wait. Go Irish!!!!!!