Long Beach? Fine, but BYU Next for SDSU

SAN DIEGO —  Yes, there were plenty of bright spots during San Diego State’s 38-20 victory over Cal State Long Beach Saturday night.

SDSU’s defense was solid, and its special teams seem to have improved. The running game clicked. Overall, a good performance. Not outstanding, and not overwhelming. Good.

But Long Beach will not be confused with Notre Dame. Long Beach, of course, is not even Wyoming.

So where does that leave the Aztecs?

The question is particularly relevant this week because SDSU travels to No. 5 Brigham Young for its Western Athletic Conference opener Saturday. SDSU Coach Al Luginbill said he and his staff have spent most of the off-season working on the three-game stretch that awaits the Aztecs: BYU, Air Force and Wyoming.

After high expectations met reality in Oregon, where the Aztecs lost their opener, 42-21, SDSU came back Saturday. The performance is not easy to assess, because Long Beach is 0-3 and going nowhere fast. A cynic wouldn’t have to think too hard to refute a couple of Aztec strengths Saturday:

1. The SDSU defense was as punishing as an Andrew Dice Clay video, holding Long Beach to one touchdown and 44 yards rushing.

Yeah, but entering the game, Long Beach had been outscored, 86-13, and the 49ers were averaging just 63 yards rushing.

2. Aztec running backs were as hot as the New Kids on the Block, gaining 235 yards--a lot for SDSU.

Big deal. The Kids themselves could run on Long Beach; 49er opponents were averaging 344 yards on the ground entering the SDSU game.

And so on. But after reviewing the game, Luginbill said he saw big differences between this SDSU team and past ones. For one thing, he said, the Aztecs were much more intense Saturday than the SDSU team that played Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton and Pacific last season. For another, he said, SDSU scored 17 consecutive points Saturday after Oliver Thompson’s 64-yard interception return for Long Beach. Against Oregon last week, the Aztecs basically punched out after a key third-quarter penalty that gave Oregon a crucial first down.

“We improved in the areas you have to be good in in order to be competitive for a conference championship,” Luginbill said. “We improved our defense and made giant strides in our special teams.”

Offensively, the Aztecs are still inconsistent. Quarterback Dan McGwire has missed several open receivers during the first two games. While his numbers are certainly not bad (33 for 64, 458 yards, three touchdowns), they could be better.

“We’re not on all eight cylinders offensively,” Luginbill said. “We’re on six cylinders, and we need to get on eight quick.”

Aztecs Notes

Coach Al Luginbill said junior defensive lineman Steve Matuszewicz will redshirt this season. Matuszewicz suffered a severe ankle sprain Aug. 29 and hasn’t been able to make it back. . . . Luginbill had broken down game films from both the SDSU-Cal State Long Beach and Brigham Young-Washington State games by nightfall Sunday. “I believe the team that plays the best defense and does the best job on special teams will win the (SDSU-BYU) game,” Luginbill said. “We’ve got a great shot. We match up well with them. We respect them. We’re not scared of them.” . . . Luginbill is well aware of the national prominence SDSU would obtain by knocking off BYU. “I’d have to be a moron not to be,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for us. We belong in games like this.” The game is one of two scheduled to be televised nationally by CBS. . . . Running back Tommy Booker, who suffered a left ankle contusion Saturday night, is day-to-day. Luginbill said Booker will not play at Brigham Young Saturday unless he is 100% healthy. Freshman inside linebacker Jamal Duff (right quadriceps) is also day-to-day.