What Is 1968 San Diego State Aztecs football

Overview

The 1968 San Diego State Aztecs football team represented San Diego State College in the NCAA College Division football season, marking a strong year under legendary head coach Don Coryell. Competing as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the team showcased a balanced offense and aggressive defense that defined Coryell’s emerging coaching philosophy.

With an 8–2 overall record, the 1968 season was one of consistent performance and growing national recognition. Though not a bowl-eligible year due to NCAA College Division structure at the time, the Aztecs demonstrated the competitive edge that would later define their transition to major college football.

• Don Coryell was in his sixth season as head coach, building a reputation for innovative offensive strategies that later influenced professional football.
• The team played its home games at Aztec Bowl, a 12,000-seat stadium located on the San Diego State campus, which had been their home since 1936.
• Quarterback Steve Sweeney led the passing attack, throwing for 1,214 yards and 11 touchdowns, one of the top performances in the College Division that year.
• The Aztecs’ 8–2 record included wins over regional rivals such as Cal Poly and Long Beach State, highlighting their dominance in the CCAA.
• Defensively, the team allowed just 14.2 points per game, a testament to their disciplined and aggressive defensive schemes under coordinator Jim LaRue.

How It Works

The 1968 season exemplifies how college football programs developed competitive structures during the transition era between small college and major university athletics. San Diego State was still classified in the NCAA College Division, a precursor to today’s Division II and Division I split.

• NCAA College Division: This was a classification from 1956 to 1972 for schools not in the University Division (now FBS). San Diego State competed here before moving to Division I.
• California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA): The conference included regional schools such as Cal State Los Angeles and Fresno State before many moved to higher divisions.
• Don Coryell’s offensive system: Emphasized passing and timing routes, later known as the “Air Coryell” style, which he refined in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Recruiting strategy: Coryell focused on local talent and junior college transfers, building depth and experience quickly during his tenure.
• Game schedule structure: The Aztecs played a 10-game schedule, mostly against regional opponents, with no postseason due to College Division limitations at the time.
• Player development: The program served as a pipeline to professional leagues; several 1968 players signed with NFL or CFL teams shortly after graduation.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1968 Aztecs to other seasons highlights their significance in the program’s evolution:

The 1968 season sits between two bowl-eligible years, acting as a bridge in San Diego State’s rise to national prominence. While no postseason was played, the team’s performance kept momentum building under Coryell’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1968 San Diego State Aztecs football team is a key chapter in the history of one of the West Coast’s most influential college football programs. It reflects a transitional era in college athletics and underscores the impact of visionary coaching.

• Don Coryell’s legacy began taking shape in seasons like 1968, eventually influencing NFL offensive design through his later work.
• The team helped raise the profile of San Diego State, contributing to its eventual move to NCAA Division I and the Western Athletic Conference.
• Players from the 1968 roster demonstrated that smaller programs could develop NFL-caliber talent, including future CFL quarterbacks.
• The season exemplifies the competitive depth of the College Division, which often went underrecognized despite high-level play.
• It laid the foundation for future conference realignment, as San Diego State moved into major college football by 1970.
• The 1968 season is now studied by historians as a critical developmental year in the evolution of modern spread and pass-oriented offenses.

Though overshadowed by more decorated seasons, the 1968 Aztecs played a vital role in establishing a culture of excellence at San Diego State, paving the way for decades of competitive football.