Year 2 of the Sean Lewis era at San Diego State feels different from Year 1.

The buzz of excitement that accompanied a new coach and uptempo offense has been replaced with the reservations that greet a new season after a disappointing one.

SDSU opens the season Thursday against Stony Brook at Snapdragon Stadium with significantly higher expectations following last year’s 3-9 finish. Should fans expect a bowl berth?

“That’s the floor of the program standards that we’ve set,” Lewis said. “The players have done a tremendous job competing with us. … This is a much-improved team. They’ve done tremendous work. I’m really excited to cut them loose and let them go play.”

Five of the six players named Saturday as 2025 team captains — senior center Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, junior edge Trey White, l

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