 "Photo: David J. Olender / Photo Editor")
Ryan Lindley's beard was unkempt and patchy in several places.
The San Diego State football team's quarterback hadn't shaved in a few days and already feared the scolding his parents and head coach Chuck Long would give him for his surplus of facial hair.
But while Lindley admitted the rigors of a grueling summer training camp had prevented him from seeing his razor in the past week, the redshirt freshman may have just been trying out a new look.
A San Diego quarterback with a beard and a No. 14 jersey look.
"Dan Fouts," said Lindley, who knew right away he was being compared to the former San Diego Charger quarterback. "He was a great (quarterback) too, so I guess I might be in good company."
While the comparisons to six-time Pro Bowler Fouts may have originated with a beard and a jersey number, his play in Saturday afternoon's Family Day scrimmage at Qualcomm Stadium may garner him even more links to former great quarterbacks.
Lindley was nearly perfect in Saturday's scrimmage going 11-for-13 for 124 yards and a touchdown. He made every throw ranging from a 5-yard swing pass to a 38-yard deep ball that hit wide receiver Mekell Wesley in stride for a touchdown.
"Ryan Lindley had great command out there," Long said. "He's shown some separation all the way through camp and he played well today."
Lindley showcased not only his ability to play quarterback, but the intangibles a player at that position must have. After each touchdown, whether thrown by Lindley or not, the scorer was greeted by a huge hug and several high fives from the new starting quarterback.
"Especially as a younger guy, you just have to lead by example," Lindley said. "There are guys in the huddle who are three or four years older than I am, so I don't necessarily need to talk to you to get you hyped up, we've just all got to get hyped together."
Running back Atiyyah Henderson was one of those players in the huddle who is two years Lindley's senior, and apparently Henderson was hyped up with the rest of the offense. The junior broke off two long touchdown runs for 29 and 36 yards and finished the day with 79 yards on five carries.
"Atiyyah wants it," Long said referring to the running back competition between Henderson, Brandon Sullivan and Tyler Campbell. "He is fast right now. He's a different kid right now and the summer's paying off for him. I'm really proud of him, he's come on."
Another player who came on strong in Saturday's scrimmage was sophomore outside linebacker Andrew Preston, who's in a tight battle with junior Jerry Milling for a starting job. Preston was all over the field, recording six tackles, including two that drew an "Oooh!" from the estimated 300 in attendance. Preston also recorded the scrimmage's only interception, a 40-yard return for a touchdown off junior quarterback Drew Westling.
"It felt great, it's a great feeling," Preston said of his impressive pick-six. "I'm hoping (this scrimmage) will get me a starting job, but you never know."
With a little less than two weeks remaining until SDSU opens the season against Cal Poly at Qualcomm Stadium, it's obvious the players and coaches are tired of the monotony of training camp battles and two-a-day practices.
"All the hype is about to be over and we've just got to get going," Lindley said. "I think everybody is ready. I was talking to Jerry Milling the other day and I just said, 'Hey, let's just start hitting other people and start hitting other teams.'
"I think everybody is real excited about getting going."
News and Notes
- Aztec place kickers were a combined 12-of-15 in Saturday's scrimmage, booting kicks ranging from 27 to 46 yards. Redshirt sophomore Bryan Shields led the way with a perfect 5-for-5 performance.
- Senior offensive tackle Lance Louis left the scrimmage with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by junior offensive lineman Peter Nelson.
- The captains for Saturday's scrimmage were seniors Darren Mougey (wide receiver), Mike Schmidt (offensive line), Russell Allen (linebacker), Corey Boudreaux (defensive back), Tyler Campbell (running back) and Siaosi Fifita (defensive line).
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