What Is 2007 San Diego State Aztecs football

Overview

The 2007 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mountain West Conference, the team struggled under head coach Chuck Long, who was in his fifth and final year at the helm.

The Aztecs played their home games at Qualcomm Stadium and faced a challenging schedule that included several ranked opponents. Despite flashes of potential, the team failed to achieve a winning record, ultimately finishing 4–8 overall and 2–5 in conference play.

• Record: The Aztecs finished the 2007 season with a 4–8 overall record and 2–5 in Mountain West play, placing sixth in the conference standings.
• Head Coach: Chuck Long, who had been head coach since 2002, was dismissed after the season due to underperformance and lack of program improvement.
• Offensive Output: The team scored 243 total points across 12 games, averaging 20.3 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring offense.
• Defensive Struggles: San Diego State allowed 354 points, averaging 29.5 points per game against, highlighting significant defensive shortcomings throughout the season.
• Home Venue: All home games were played at Qualcomm Stadium, a shared NFL venue with the then-San Diego Chargers, seating over 60,000 fans.

Season Performance

The 2007 campaign was marked by inconsistency on both sides of the ball, with the Aztecs showing brief moments of competitiveness but ultimately failing to secure crucial wins. Several close losses contributed to the team's disappointing record, and fan frustration grew as the season progressed.

• September 1, 2007: Opened the season with a 37–30 loss to California, a Pac-10 team, showing early promise despite the defeat.
• Key Player – Josh Scobey: Senior quarterback Josh Scobey started most games, throwing for 1,857 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
• Defensive Leader – Jamaurie Sheppard: Linebacker Jamaurie Sheppard led the team with 98 total tackles, including 52 solo stops during the season.
• Winning Streak: The Aztecs won back-to-back games in October against UNLV (23–20) and New Mexico (34–27), their only two conference victories.
• November Struggles: Lost four consecutive games in November, including lopsided defeats to BYU (17–3) and TCU (38–3), exposing offensive inefficiencies.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2007 season to prior years highlights a decline in performance and competitiveness within the Mountain West Conference.

The data shows that 2007 was part of a prolonged rebuilding phase. While the win-loss record mirrored 2006, the slight increase in scoring did not translate to more wins. The firing of Long after 2007 marked a turning point, leading to Brady Hoke’s hiring in 2009, which revitalized the program.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season is significant as a transitional low point that preceded a major turnaround for San Diego State football. It underscored the need for coaching changes and program investment, setting the stage for future success.

• Coaching Change: Chuck Long’s dismissal after 2007 ended a five-year tenure with a 15–42 overall record, clearing the way for new leadership.
• Program Rebuilding: The struggles of 2007 highlighted deficiencies in recruiting and development, prompting administrative changes.
• Stadium Limitations: Playing at Qualcomm Stadium limited home-field advantage compared to on-campus stadiums used by rivals.
• Recruiting Impact: Poor performance affected recruiting, making it harder to attract top-tier talent in Southern California.
• Foundation for 2010s Success: The disappointment of 2007 helped justify a full rebuild, culminating in SDSU’s rise in the 2010s under Brady Hoke and Rocky Long.
• Historical Context: This season is remembered as a nadir before improvement, illustrating how consistent losing can drive institutional change in college football.