Defensive strength now putting Aztecs on the map

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 10:23 a.m.

San Diego State

Head coach: Ted Tollner (32-26, 6th year at SDSU; 58-45-1 overall, 10th year)

1998 record: 7-5 (Tied for 1st, WAC Pacific Division)

Returning starters: 17

Guy they'll miss: Linebacker Joe Tuipala

Player to watch: Receiver Damon Gourdine

Key game: Oct. 2, Air Force

Projection: 3rd (MWC coaches' poll)

Remember the good old days of San Diego State football when you could count on the Aztecs playing in games with scores such as 52-52 or 62-34?

No more. Despite hiring a head coach, Ted Tollner, known more for his prowess as a quarterbacks and passing game guru, the Aztecs will rely on a punishing defense and strong running game to try to take them to the top in the inaugural season of the Mountain West Conference.

The Aztecs, who tied BYU for the Pacific Division title in the WAC last year with a 7-1 conference mark and lost to North Carolina, 20-13, in the Las Vegas Bowl, return six starters from a defensive unit that ranked 35th nationally.

That may not be cause for celebration in places such as Tallahassee or Ann Arbor, but it was the highest defensive ranking for San Diego State since 1970. At one point the Aztecs, went 14 straight quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown and the team registered its first shutout since 1984 with a 10-0 win over Fresno State.

"Our defense made tremendous strides last season," Tollner said. "Outside of expecting to continue our development in all areas defensively, I feel we still need to cut down on the number of big plays allowed. Had we not allowed big plays in the Las Vegas Bowl, we would have won that game."

Two key players from that defense, preseason All-American defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and all-WAC strong safety Rico Curtis, both return as does hard-hitting linebacker Joey Mayo.

Offensively, the Aztecs return their entire offensive line intact as well as one of the better running back combos in the nation in senior Jonas Lewis and junior Larry Ned. The duo combined to rush for 1,659 yards and score 11 touchdowns last season.

"They're two really fine running backs," Tollner said. "They're both tough and can take it downhill." The Aztecs also have one of the conference's best offensive weapons in tiny (5-7, 165-pounds) but explosive all-WAC kick returner/wide receiver Damon Gourdine, who caught 55 passes for 649 yards (11.8 avg.) and four touchdowns last season and also had a school-record 95-yard punt return against Utah.

The big key for San Diego State to make a legitimate run at a conference title is improvement at quarterback.

Brian Russell, who stepped in for since-departed Spencer Brinton early last season to lead the Aztecs to the Las Vegas Bowl, had a solid (123 of 230 passes, 1,438 yards, 8 TDs, 7 INTs) sophomore campaign. But Russell, a transfer from Penn, has a below average arm which limited San Diego State's passing game. The Aztecs seemed to live and die by the middle screen.

Tollner beat out UNLV as well as some Pac-10 schools for the top junior college quarterback prospect in California last year, Jack Hawley of Los Angeles Harbor JC. But Hawley, who led the nation in total offense (3,062 yards) and drew comparisons from UNLV coach John Robinson to Jake Plummer for his leadership, struggled badly (five interceptions in 23 pass attempts) in spring scrimmages.

Russell entered fall camp still listed No. 1 on the depth chart, but that could change quickly if Hawley comes on strong.

"I knew coming in here that I would have to compete every day," Hawley said. "I learned that Division I football is a lot different from junior college. I struggled. Spring practice was humbling. But I'm ready to go now. I'm ready to step up."

If the Aztecs add the deep passing game to their arsenal this season, they just might end up in the Liberty Bowl this December.

San Diego State plays UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium on Nov. 20.

This is the fifth in a seven-part series previewing the Mountain West Conference. Thursday: Utah