Aztecs May Benefit From BYU’s Success

SAN DIEGO —  The trickle-down theory, which was big in economics a few years ago, has relevance these days for football in the Western Athletic Conference.

Brigham Young University brought a measure of respect to the WAC by winning the national championship in 1984. Now, some conference members, including San Diego State, are hoping some of that respect trickles down to them.

In the case of the Aztecs, who open spring practice on Saturday, there’s also hope that they may be ready to move up a couple of notches in the general direction of the Cougars.

“We’ve got a long way to go to catch BYU,” Coach Doug Scovil said, thinking of last year’s 4-7-1 record, “but I think there’s some optimism among our players.

“We played three Top 10 teams last year, and should have beaten two of them, UCLA and Oklahoma State. BYU was the only one of the Top 10 teams that beat us soundly.”

Wide receiver Vince Warren thinks outsiders will form a favorable impression if the Aztecs finish second to BYU.

“That would open some eyes,” Warren said. “They know how good BYU is and they would see we’re good, too.”

Warren, a fifth-year senior, will be out to make a good impression, particularly on pro scouts.

Warren, who has 4.6 speed, a high-pitched voice and unreliable hands, has never quite lived up to expectations, despite having averaged 21.2 yards per reception each of the past two years. A tendency to drop passes, caused by lapses in concentration, stands between Warren and possible all-star recognition, not to mention a career in the National Football League.

If Warren’s concentration improves, SDSU may have an exceptional passing attack, based upon the promise shown last year by freshman quarterback Todd Santos, who threw for 2,063 yards.

The receiver corps also will feature Webster Slaughter, who caught 40 passes for 576 yards, and 6-foot 5-inch, 240-pound tight end Robert Awalt, a transfer from Sacramento City College.

Their presence, plus 37 more lettermen among a group of 120 players out for spring practice, is partly accountable for Scovil’s optimism.

Also, for the first time in Scovil’s tenure, there is a full complement of 95 athletes on scholarship, meaning the Aztecs should be on more even terms with the competition.

In the past the SDSU football program was more dependent upon a heavy annual infusion of junior college transfers. Now, the emphasis is on recruiting and developing high school seniors.

There are 13 returning starters, 6 on offense and 7 on defense, and overall depth should be improved, according to Scovil.

Some rebuilding will be required in the offensive line, which lost three seniors. Replacements also must be found for running backs Mike Waters and Dan Gaston. Among the backfield candidates are Casey Brown, SDSU’s second-leading rusher with 252 yards last year, Coy Gilmore and Chris Hardy.

The defense, which started strong but was weakened by injuries late in 1984, will feature tackle Mike Stevens, middle guard Levi Esene and linebackers Todd Richards and Brett Farynairz.

It isn’t a team that is going to cause consternation in Provo, but there is the potential for a reasonable facsimile of the BYU passing attack.

That is, if Warren comes into his own and Santos continues to develop.

Warren has grown accustomed, and then some, to hearing about people’s expectations.

A high school star in Albuquerque, Warren was a touted member of Scovil’s first crop of recruits at San Diego State. He played enough to letter as a freshman, then retroactively was granted redshirt status by the NCAA for his freshman year when regulations were changed in 1984.

Warren, who has a chance to become a five-time letterman, has not been a bust by any yardstick, but he has not accomplished what many expected.

“I do think I am capable of becoming an All-American,” Warren said. “Even if I didn’t hear that from the coaches and writers, I think I would know what I am capable of.

“I am trying to live up to it, but it’s kind of difficult. There is some pressure. I have a feeling it’s there in me and I want it to come out.”

Scovil is excited by Warren’s demonstrated big-play capability. Last year, he caught an 84-yard touchdown pass against Colorado State and then made a 79-yard TD reception the next week against Hawaii.

“Vince has the big-play potential, but he needs to be more consistent and improve on his blocking,” Scovil said. “I hope we can get him to reach his potential. It’s time for him to perform at a consistent level.”

Warren knows the pro scouts will be paying close attention and will mark him off the list of prospects if he doesn’t reduce the ratio of dropped passes.

“When I drop a ball, it gets to me,” he said. “I’ve never figured out what I’m doing differently. I try to watch the ball the same every play, but sometimes it just slips through my hands.”

He admitted he has an eye on an NFL career.

“I’d love to be there,” he said. “I think it’s a destiny I have to fulfill.”

He would regard 50 catches and 1,000 yards gained in his senior year as a step toward reaching that destiny.