San Diego State Notebook : Things Are Wide Open at Receiver

San Diego State’s wide receivers are a lot like the weather--extremely hot one day and not-so-hot the next.

Before last Saturday’s scrimmage, Brett Blanchard and Anthony Conyers were listed as the starting wide receivers. Then, Kenny Moore and Alfred Jackson had the hot hands.

Moore had a team-leading three receptions. Jackson made the most impressive play of the day, an over-the-shoulder catch on a five-yard touchdown.

Monday morning, Moore and Jackson were practicing with the first team. That could change, too.

“Probably the biggest improvement in Saturday’s scrimmage was our wide receivers,” Coach Denny Stolz said. “No decisions have been made there yet. We’ll decide (on the starters) after this Saturday’s scrimmage.”

The Aztecs must replace receivers Webster Slaughter and Vince Warren. Slaughter was a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns this year. Warren was a fifth-round pick of the New York Giants.

Stolz has been concerned about the special teams. But that was to be expected.

“It’s hard to determine who’ll play special teams until we determine our travel squad,” Stolz said. “We know who our top 35 or 40 players are. We don’t know the top 60.”

The Aztecs are still uncertain about who will be their starting placekicker. Candidates are freshman Tom Wurth from Monte Vista High and sophomore John Palatella, a walk-on who did the kickoffs last year.

Wayne Ross is the returning punter.

Center Kevin Wells (shoulder sprain) is expected to return later this week. Others slowed by injuries are fullback Troy Reed (ankle sprain), defensive tackle Levi Esene (hamstring) and free safety Bryan Hailey (hamstring).