Western Athletic Conference Preview : BYU’s Detour at the Start May Help Pave Way for SDSU

San Diego State football coach Denny Stolz said he would know a lot more about the championship race in the Western Athletic Conference after he watched Brigham Young open its season Wednesday against Pittsburgh.

The Cougars lost, 27-17, in a game in which their offensive line allowed nine sacks. BYU, which last year failed to win the conference title for the first time in 11 seasons, again has shown its vulnerability.

That could mean a repeat championship for San Diego State or the opportunity for another WAC team to take a piece of what had been BYU property for a decade.

“The league is showing some real balance,” Stolz said. “And that’s good. A competitive race means more exposure, more interest, more excitement.”

Once the conference race was a case of everyone trying to stop BYU, but this year could feature one of the most wide-open races since the Cougars began their domination.

BYU and San Diego State were selected as co-favorites in a preseason poll of conference coaches. But Air Force, Hawaii and Wyoming all received strong support in the balloting.

“This really could be the year where you could lose two games and still win the title,” Stolz said. “It could be that close.”

Air Force

Last season’s record: 5-2, 6-5.

Finish: Third.

Coach: Fisher DeBerry (26-10, third year).

Top returnees: Chad Hennings (6-5, 266, Sr., DT), Robert Krause (5-10, 175, Jr., HB), John Steed (6-2, 230, Sr., NG).

Top newcomer: None.

Outlook: The Falcons were the only WAC team to defeat San Diego State last season, but that was the high point of an otherwise disappointing year as they failed to reach a bowl game for the first time in five seasons. Air Force has had to rebuild its defense as only two starters return, but one is Chad Hennings, one of the leading tackles in the country.

Steve Letnich has beaten out Dee Dowis in a competition between two sophomore quarterbacks to lead the Air Force wishbone offense. The rest of the backfield shows promise, but the most experienced returner, halfback Robert Krause, will miss the opener at Wyoming Saturday with a separated shoulder. Running back Albert Booker, who averaged seven yards per carry through seven games before being sidelined with a knee injury, has the best speed among the backs.

Brigham Young

Last season’s record: 6-2, 8-5.

Finish: Second.

Coach: LaVell Edwards (137-45-1, 16 years).

Top returnees: John Borgia (6-3, 280, Sr., OG), David Futrell (6-1, 265, Sr., NG), So.), Brian Rodoni (6-5, 270, Sr., C), Rodney Thomas (5-10, 195, Sr., CB).

Top newcomers: Matt Bellini (6-0, 175, Fr., RB), Rodney Rice (5-8, 180, Jr., CB).

Outlook: The Cougars are off to a rough start, having lost to Pittsburgh, 27-17, Wednesday, with games at Texas and Texas Christian to follow. The offensive-minded Cougars are young and inexperienced in the backfield. Junior quarterback Bob Jensen started only two games last year.

Injuries already are taking a toll. Three of their best offensive linemen--John Borgia (ankle sprain), John Hunter (broken hand) and Brian Rodoni (knee)--are at less than full strength. Running back Matt Bellini, a redshirt freshman and the brother of former BYU wide receiver Mark Bellini, injured his knee against Pitt and was to undergo an arthroscopic examination Thursday. On defense the Cougars must replace Jason Buck and Shawn Knight, both of whom were selected in the first round of National Football League draft. Nose guard David Futrell and all-conference defensive back Rodney Rice are the leading returners.

Colorado State

Last season’s record: 4-4, 6-5.

Finish: Tied for fourth.

Coach: Leon Fuller (23-34, fifth year).

Top returnees: Ron Cortell (5-7, 160, Jr., CB), Doug Fiala (6-7, 275, Sr., OT), Pete Pavlakis (6-0, 215, Sr., LB), Todd Tyrell (6-0, 184, Sr., FL).

Top newcomers: Tony Carr (6-0, 170, Fr., RB), Scotter Molander (6-2, 190, Jr., QB).

Outlook: This should be a rebuilding year for the Rams, who lost most of their offense in quarterback Kelly Stouffer and running back Steve Bartalo, the conference’s all-time leading rusher.

The loss of Bartalo will force the Rams to switch from a one-back to a pro-style offense. The backfield will be all new. Scooter Molander, a community college transfer, takes over at quarterback and two freshmen--halfback Tony Carr and fullback Todd Yert--will try to make up for the loss of Bartalo. Wide receiver will remain a strong spot. Only three starters return on defense, led by linebacker Pete Pavlakis and cornerback Ron Cortell, a small but hard-hitting junior from Sweetwater High School.

Hawaii

Last season’s record: 4-4, 7-5.

Finish: Tied for fourth.

Coach: Bob Wagner (first year).

Top returnees: Marco Johnson (5-9, 165, Sr., WR), Pat McCray (6-1, 196, Sr., S), Al Noga (6-2, 250, Sr., DT).

Top newcomers: Larry Khan-Smith (5-9, 178, Fr., WR), Ken Masterson (5-11, 225, Sr., ILB).

Outlook: The Rainbows feature a new coach and a new offense. Dick Tomey has left for Arizona and his place has been taken by his defensive coordinator, Bob Wagner. Wagner has brought in Paul Johnson, an expert on the run-and-shoot offense from Georgia Southern, to bring a little more excitement to what has traditionally been a defense-oriented team.

The defense still could be strong with All-American tackle Al Noga leading the way, but Noga and safety Pat McCray are the only starters back from a team that held opponents to 268.6 yards per game. Knee injuries have caused the Rainbows to alter their starting plans for the first few games as wide receiver Jamie Collins and cornerback Walter Briggs recently underwent arthroscopic surgery, and outside linebacker Joe Piccola will sit out the opener against Cal State Fullerton with a knee strain.

New Mexico

Last season’s record: 4-8, 2-5.

Finish: Seventh.

Coach: Mike Sheppard (first year).

Top returnees: Terence Donaldson (6-3, 270, Sr., OG), Terance Mathis (5-9, 162, Jr., WR).

Top newcomers: Steve Albrecht (6-2, 190, Jr., P), Kirk Allen (5-11, 222, Sr., LB), Rick Walsh (5-10, 180, Jr., K).

Outlook: New Mexico has abandoned the run-and-shoot offense under the leadership of its new coach, Mike Sheppard. Sheppard, who helped bring the Long Beach State program back to respectability, will use a pro-style attack. Wide receiver Terance Mathis is the Lobos’ best offensive threat.

Defense will be a concern again for the Lobos, who were the second-worst defensive team in the country last season. Hopes for improvement already have been weakened by the loss of two starting linebackers. Senior Donny Gassoway underwent back surgery, which likely will end his college career, and Phillip Vaughn has left school because of a family illness. Sheppard has tried to bolster the program with an infusion of transfers, including linebacker Kirk Allen, formerly of Wichita State.

Texas El Paso

Last season’s record: 2-6, 4-8.

Finish: Eighth.

Coach: Bob Stull (4-8, second year).

Top returnees: Harold Collins (6-3, 208, Sr., WR), John Harvey (6-0, 186, Jr., TB), Doug Morgan (6-1, 194, So., LB), Barry Parker (5-9, 164, Sr., WR), Joe Terry (6-2, 210, Sr., DE).

Top newcomers: Pat Hegarty (6-2, 195, Jr., QB), Darren Lewis (5-8, 170, Jr., CB)

Outlook: The Miners’ four victories last season were their most since 1974, and there is reason for further optimism at a school that traditionally has had one of the weaker programs in the country. Coach Bob Stull has instituted a strong off-season weight program that has made the Miners a much bigger team than in the past.

Pat Hegarty, a community college transfer, takes over at quarterback for Sammy Garza, who finished last season with many of the school’s passing records. Running back John Harvey and wide receivers Harold Collins and Barry Parker will form the nucleus of the offensive team. Luther Johnson returns from academic suspension to give the Miners one of the conference’s best return threats.

San Diego State

Last season’s record: 8-4, 7-1.

Finish: First.

Coach: Denny Stolz (8-4, second year).

Top returnees: Harold Hicks (6-0, 205, Sr., SS), Mike Hooper (6-3, 275, Sr., DT), Mario Mitchell (5-10, 180, Sr., CB), Clarence Nunn (5-10, 175, Sr.,CB), Wayne Ross (6-3, 210, Sr., P), Todd Santos (6-2, 200, Sr. QB).

Top newcomers: Tyler Ackerson (6-3, 200, Jr., PK), Tommy Booker (6-1, 200, Fr., TB), Kevin Conard (6-3, 230, Sr., ILB), Paul Hewitt (5-10, 195, Jr., TB), Derek Santifer (6-2, 230, Jr., ILB).

Outlook: The Aztecs won their first conference title last season in their first season under Denny Stolz. Only nine starters return, but one of them is quarterback Todd Santos. In a season with few teams returning experienced quarterbacks, Santos could prove the difference. He will have to work with a retooled backfield and a group of receivers whose speed and talent has impressed Stolz, but who lack a lot of game experience.

A strong recruiting year has helped the Aztecs fill many of their gaps and add depth. Two of the most celebrated recruits--running back Tommy Booker and wide receiver Patrick Rowe--will start the season Saturday against UCLA on the bench, but both are expected to contribute heavily before the season is through. Booker is still learning the college game, while Rowe is recovering from a broken collarbone sustained in an all-star game five weeks ago.

Utah

Last season’s record: 1-7, 2-9.

Finish: Ninth.

Coach: Jim Fassel (10-13, third year).

Top returnees: Leo Austin (5-9, 165, Sr., CB), Eddie Johnson (5-8, 175, Sr., RB), Tika Manu (6-4, 258, Sr. DE).

Top newcomers: Sean Knox (5-11, 180, Fr., CB), Scott Mitchell (6-6, 214, Fr., QB).

Outlook: Utah had the worst defense in the country last season, allowing 495.2 yards per game. Five starters return from that defense, including three members of the secondary. Coach Jim Fassel has made improving the defense his top priority and has brought back Tom Gadd from South Carolina to run the defense. Gadd coached the Utah defense from 1977-82, years in which they twice led the WAC in total defense and twice were tops against the run.

Eddie Johnson, who has rushed for more than a 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons, might be the best running back in the conference. The quarterback situation could change as Chris Mendoca, a seldom-used senior, has won the starting job, but he is being pressed hard by redshirt freshman Scott Mitchell.

Wyoming

Last season’s record: 4-4, 6-6.

Finish: Tied for fourth.

Coach: Paul Roach (first year).

Top returnees: Craig Burnett (6-1, 190, Jr., QB), James Loving (5-10, 180, Sr., SE), Anthony Sargent (5-8, 170, Sr., SE), Galand Thaxton (6-1, 222, Sr., LB).

Top newcomer: Mitch Donahue (6-3, 225, DT).

Outlook: Athletic Director Paul Roach has stepped in to become the Cowboys’ third coach in three years. He leads a team that returns 15 starters from last year, including quarterback Craig Burnett. Burnett threw for 1,242 yards and 13 touchdowns in just four games last season after taking over as the starter from Scott Runyan. Runyan also returns to provide a strong backup should Burnett, who has had an injury-prone past, falter. With a strong group of receivers and running backs, the concern on offense will be the line, where only two starters return.

The defense is paced by a strong group of linebackers--strong-side linebacker Scott Hanser, middle linebacker Galand Thaxton and weak-side outside linebacker Mike Schnebecker. The big surprise has been Tony Kapushion, a junior walk-on who has earned a starting tackle job. The Cowboys are being touted as the conference sleeper, but the big question might be how they adapt to yet another coaching change.