Aztecs Pull Out Plum to Help Solve Problem With Injury to Santos

On occasion, San Diego State quarterback Jim Plum has felt like an open request line.

Last year, SDSU’s coaching staff asked Plum if he would like to try safety. This year’s staff requested Plum try wide receiver or slotback.

Each time, Plum decided he wouldn’t be a smash hit at a new position.

“I told our coaches I would help out if we were hurting at a position,” Plum said. “I didn’t think we needed help at those positions. There was really no need to change. I’m a quarterback.”

Plum, a senior, has been the perennial backup quarterback at SDSU . . . until today. Because Todd Santos is sidelined with a broken wrist, Plum will start against Stanford.

Plum started against Utah in 1984 and Oregon in 1985 after playing well in relief of Santos the week before.

Plum was 6 for 15 for 37 yards with an interception against Utah. He was 8 for 15 for 72 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Oregon. He was pulled after the third quarter against Utah and early in the second quarter against Oregon.

However, today will be different. Plum’s backup is freshman Jack Skoog, whom the Aztecs hope to redshirt unless they have an emergency.

“If we have to use Jack to win, we’d play him immediately,” Coach Denny Stolz said. “Otherwise, he’s going to redshirt. If it’s 40-0 and Plum gets hurt, we’ll play the other kid (John Moomaw).”

Will Plum have a chance to become the permanent starter while Santos is sidelined two to six weeks?

“Jim is the backup taking over for Todd,” Stolz said. “He’s like any other second-stringer taking over on our ballclub. He’ll play until Todd gets back. Then, Todd will play again.”

Plum has played once in 1986, completing 4 of 8 passes for 18 yards and an interception in the final seven minutes against UCLA.

When the Aztecs announced that Plum would play this week, teammates appeared unconcerned. The consensus seemed to be that Plum is capable of leading the offense.

“It’s not going to make any big difference,” halfback Chris Hardy said. “Jim has been in the system just as long as Todd, and he’s just as good as Todd. We should be all right with Jim Plum.”

Plum has accepted his starting role modestly. He has stressed how sorry he is that it took an injury to Santos before a change was made.

“To tell you the truth, I’m approaching this like any other game,” Plum said. “I’ve been watching a lot of film, running and working with weights. This week, I’ll get a chance to show what I do in practice. It’s nice from that standpoint.”

Since Plum was recruited from Helix High School five years ago, he has been confronted with obstacles.

He was a redshirt in 1982 and backed up senior Mark McKay in 1983. The past 2 1/2 seasons, he has been Santo’s reserve.

“You can always second-guess yourself, but I don’t,” Plum said. “I’m happy here. I’ll make the most of it. Things are always greener on the other side, as they say. If you hang in there, something good will happen. Plus, there is nothing worse than a crybaby.”

Throughout Plum’s career at SDSU, he has sought the advice of his high school coach, Jim Arnaiz.

“In the early times, when it was not clear about who the quarterback would be, Jimmy was really frustrated,” Arnaiz said. “Like any other good competitor, Jimmy felt he was the best. When it doesn’t happen that way, it’s tough. I have so much respect and admiration for the way he has handled the situation. When times were rough with Coach (Doug) Scovil, it would’ve been easy for Jimmy to take potshots and be negative. Whenever he was interviewed, he was totally positive in reacting to questions.”

When Stanford Coach Jack Elway was informed that Santos would not play this week, he said: “Hallelujah.” Then Elway discussed how sorry he actually felt about Santos’ injury.

Last year against Stanford, Santos completed 18 of 24 passes for 320 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 41-22 Aztec victory.

“We’re going to prepare for Jim Plum the same way we would prepare for Santos,” said Dick Mannini, Stanford’s defensive coordinator. “I’m not sure they will change their game plan. Basically, Plum may have more velocity than Santos. He moves around as well, if not better, than Santos. I guess this will have an effect on their offense to some degree. It will pep them up and make them work twice as hard.”

Two years ago, Stanford’s John Paye broke his hand against Arizona State. The next week, backup Fred Buckley led Stanford to its first victory in 14 years at UCLA.

The Aztecs hope Plum responds in similar fashion today.

Aztec Notes

Offensive tackle Greg Williamson (sprained knee) and defensive tackle Craig Skaggs (sprained knee) are the only SDSU regulars who did not make the trip. . . . Bay Area writers asked Coach Denny Stolz if he could revive the Aztec program to where it was under Don Coryell from 1961 to 1972. “How do we get the program back to where it was when Don Coryell was here?” Stolz repeated. “Well, the first thing we have to do is go back to playing the teams Coryell played.” In 1966, SDSU opened against Mexico Poly, Weber State, Cal Poly SLO and Cal State Long Beach. This season, the Aztecs opened against Cal State Long Beach, Utah, UCLA and New Mexico. . . . Greg Hooper, the brother of Aztec defensive end Mike Hooper, played at Stanford from 1979 to 1982. “Stanford told me to go to a JC and bring my grades up, then they would bring me in,” Mike Hooper said. “I said, ‘No way.’ If I went there, I would always be looked at as Greg’s little brother, instead of Mike Hooper.” . . . SDSU’s defense has allowed an average of 33.3 points through four games. “I’d say we’ll have to score 40 points to win this game,” tight end Robert Awalt said. . . . Stanford, traditionally an offensive power, has an improved defense. The Cardinal has allowed 12.3 points a game, No. 1 in the Pac-10 and No. 10 in the nation. Stanford has a plus 3.67 turnover ratio per game, tops in the nation. Toi Cook leads the nation with five interceptions in three games. “We’ve been maligned for a lack of defense,” Coach Jack Elway said. “We’ve worked hard to disprove it. Last year, we gave up 13 plays of more than 40 yards. We’ve done a good job of making people earn and execute this year.” . . . Stanford quarterback John Paye is eighth nationally with an average of 22 completions per game. Paye has completed 66 of 113 attempts for 652 yards and 5 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Paye set a school record with 40 completions against SDSU last year in the first meeting between the teams. . . . Stanford has three San Diego County players--linebacker Barry McKeever (San Pasqual High School), reserve offensive tackle Robbie Coffin (Mira Mesa) and reserve cornerback Frank Stoddard (San Dieguito). . . . The Cardinal was ranked 20th this week by United Press International.