Scovil Is High on Improved Aztecs

The mood is upbeat at San Diego State, said Doug Scovil, the Aztecs’ head football coach, Wednesday at the conclusion of Western Athletic Conference Football Media Days here.

Scovil said he feels “more optimistic than I’ve felt in several years. We had a very fine spring practice, and I saw more individual improvement than at any time in my coaching career.”

Scovil looks for continued improvement of his once-leaky defense, led by 5-foot 11-inch, 260-pound middle guard Levi Esene.

Todd Santos, who endured some growing pains as a freshman quarterback, returns for his sophomore season. “He has matured a lot and gained knowledge of our system,” Scovil said. “I look for him to be an outstanding quarterback before he’s through.”

Vince Warren and Webster Slaughter head a fine receiving corps, and fullback Casey Brown has given the Aztecs a threat on the ground.

Brigham Young’s LaVell Edwards also previewed his team Wednesday.

BYU, last year’s national champions, has won or shared the WAC title nine straight years, and the Cougars are overwhelming favorites again.

“This is a whole new year,” Edwards said. “We lost over half our team. I told the players we’re not under pressure from last year. We’re not out to prove anything.”

Offensively, Edwards must rebuild his offensive line--a task he seems to do effectively almost every year. Record-setting passer Robbie Bosco is back for his senior year, joined by the usual deep corps of receivers and running backs.

Graduation stripped the Cougars of all three down linemen on defense and three of four defensive backs. But they have adequate replacements, and Edwards predicts his new line will be “the quickest we’ve ever had.”

Edwards says his “biggest concern” is finding replacements for departed punter-placekicker Lee Johnson.