SDSU Says It Will Retire Santos’ Number

San Diego State will will retire the jersey No. 8 of quarterback Todd Santos, who on Saturday became the most prolific passer in major-college history.

Still miffed over the refusal of BYU to recognize Santos after he set the record during the game here Saturday, SDSU Athletic Director Fred Miller announced Sunday in San Diego a plan to honor Santos after the final game against New Mexico Nov. 21 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“We’ll rip the jersey off his back and parade him around the stadium,” said Miller, jokingly.

Santos will become only the second SDSU football player to have his jersey retired. The other was wide receiver Haven Moses, who later played professionally with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

“We feel this is the most appropriate way to honor a player who has meant so much to our program,” Miller said. “Todd has set a bench mark for all other quarterbacks to shoot at.”

Santos broke the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Division I-A record for career passing yardage Saturday with a 23-yard completion to running back Ron Slack with 1:40 left in a 38-21 loss at BYU.

The completion moved him ahead of Kevin Sweeney of Fresno State, who finished his career last season with 10,623 yards. Santos has 10,661 yards with home games remaining against Colorado State Saturday and New Mexico.

The feat received no recognition at BYU, however, because officials said they would not stop the game to honor Santos or announce the record because they were concerned it might affect the outcome of the game. Miller said he will ask for an apology from BYU Athletic Director Glen Tuckett.

“If Hank Aaron had hit his 714th home run in another park, wouldn’t they have stopped the game,” Miller said. “It just wasn’t fair to Todd.

“It’s not what I expected from BYU. It’s not in the spirit of sportsmanship and what intercollegiate athletics are supposed to be about.”

Aztec Notes Wide receiver Monte Gilbreath and defensive end-linebacker Kevin Maultsby pulled hamstrings against Brigham Young but should be available to play Saturday against Colorado State, said John Rosenthal, SDSU sports information director.