Win Over New Mexico Costly for SDSU : Defense, Decimated by Injuries, Gives Up 690 Yards to Lobos

SAN DIEGO â€”  For three weeks, the trainer’s room at San Diego State was seldom visited. This week, it has become a players’ hangout.

In the aftermath of the Aztecs’ 38-34 victory Saturday night at New Mexico, players were queuing up to visit trainer Don Kaverman.

Linebacker Richard Brown played sparingly because of a knee sprain. Linebacker Randy Kirk left in the first quarter with a shoulder sprain. Defensive tackle Levi Esene was slowed by the flu. Defensive end Mike Hooper was sidelined at times by a shoulder bruise. Reserve defensive tackle Rob Graff suffered a concussion.

And then there were those left behind. Offensive tackle Greg Williamson and defensive tackle Craig Skaggs didn’t make the trip because of sprained knees.

“Our defense is really ripped up,� Coach Denny Stolz said. “We don’t have many of our kids in there. We have a lot of injuries, and they are hurting us.�

New Mexico’s offense increased the Aztec pains. The Lobos passed for 490 yards and had 690 yards total offense, both all-time highs against SDSU.

Without Brown and Kirk, the Aztecs were desperate at linebacker.

Kris Jensen, a former linebacker-turned-defensive end, was switched back to linebacker. Andy Damon, a seldom used linebacker, also played considerably.

Jensen recorded one tackle and two assists, recovered a fumble and caused a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Damon contributed four assists.

On the defensive line, freshman Milt Wilson was used considerably. Wilson was involved in two sacks and recovered the fumble caused by Jensen for a touchdown.

SDSU forced five turnovers, three more than in its first three games combined. Even so, it was painfully obvious that the Aztec defense was outmanned by an 0-4 New Mexico team.

“We get a week off after we play Stanford (Saturday), which will be welcomed with our injuries,� Stolz said. “We can’t play the second half of our schedule without our big shooters.�

Quarterback Todd Santos continued to tear apart opposing defenses. Santos, who has surpassed 300 yards passing in three of four games, passed for 358 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Aztecs had dedicated Saturday’s game to Ron Santos, Todd’s brother. Ron Santos suffered a broken arm, broken leg, knee ligament damage and a severe concussion as the victim of a recent hit-and-run accident.

When the Aztecs travel to Stanford, Todd Santos will deliver the game ball from New Mexico to his brother.

“I was really charged up,� Santos said after Saturday’s game. “I wanted to win for my brother. The game was dedicated to him, so I didn’t want to lose. I’m sure he’ll be real happy and excited about it.�

With two Western Athletic Conference victories, SDSU is elated to be the WAC’s only 2-0 team. The Aztecs have not been 2-0 in conference play since 1981.

This week, SDSU will have a different motive. The Aztecs’ only loss was a 45-14 rout by UCLA, a fellow Pac-10 member of Stanford’s.

“Now, we will try to get revenge on the Pac-10,� tight end Robert Awalt said. “This game will be to show people how good we are.�

Aztec Notes

Robert Awalt caught a career-high nine passes Saturday, raising his season total to a career-high 22 receptions. Kenny Moore had a career-high seven receptions. . . . Todd Santos has passed for 6,085 career yards, moving into sixth place on the all-time WAC list. Chris Hardy has 1,690 career rushing yards, moving into fourth place on SDSU’s all-time list. . . . SDSU has won two consecutive road games for the first time since 1982. . . . Though the Aztecs have a 3-1 record, they have been outscored by 17 points, 133-116. . . . New Mexico has lost its first four games for the first time since 1968, when it finished 0-10.