The San Diego State University Aztecs face off against the Naval Academy in the 10th annual Poinsettia Bowl on Tuesday evening at Qualcomm Stadium.
This will be Navy’s fourth time at the Poinsettia Bowl and San Diego State’s third.
The last time the two teams met in the bowl game was in 2010 when the Aztecs beat Navy 35-14.
The coaches for the two teams — SDSU's Rocky Long and Navy's Ken Niumatalolo — met Monday at the Omni Hotel in downtown San Diego for the traditional day-before-the-bowl-game news conference.
Niumatalolo said the more his team studies the Aztecs defense, the more he worries about it.
“We’re very familiar with Coach Long and his defense. And we’re like, ‘Crap,’” Niumatalolo said.
Long said Navy uses an offense that is “the best offense that’s ever been designed.”
He said he’s also impressed with the quality of the Navy players — on and off the field. “We have great respect for what they do and how they play,” Long said.
Even so, he said, the Aztecs will “go out there and try to beat 'em up.”
Both coaches said this isn't a grudge match but it will be traditional, aggressive football.
The Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
