For Now, Just Two Arms Are Carrying Aztecs : McGwire, Platt Will Get Plenty of Work With Other Quarterbacks Missing

Al Luginbill, San Diego State’s first-year football coach, was planning to have five quarterbacks in uniform five months from now when the Aztecs open their 1989 season at Air Force.

At the moment, he has just two: junior Dan McGwire and senior Brad Platt.

Luginbill has stated that the quarterback job is open, as is every other position on the team. But he plans to name a starter--either McGwire or Platt--by the end of spring practice.

The other three are absent with an explanation.

Scott Barrick, 2-2 as a starter last season, left the team hours before the first spring practice Monday, citing a change in priorities.

Jack Skoog, a left-handed senior reserve, also is a pitcher on the Aztec baseball team and will not participate in spring drills.

Cree Morris, the No. 3 high school passer in the state in 1988 with 3,212 yards, is still at Orange Glen High.

So what appeared to be a position deep in numbers is thin, at least at the moment. And it has Luginbill and his staff a little concerned.

“If they get sore arms, we shut down operations,” Luginbill said.

What is lacking in quantity is at least partially made up for in some quality and experience.

Both McGwire and Platt have taken snaps as NCAA Division I starters, something none of the Aztecs’ available quarterbacks had done last spring. It was the first time in four years SDSU had finished spring football without Todd Santos, who had passed for an NCAA record 11,425 yards in his career.

Platt, 6-feet-1 and 210 pounds, was No. 1 a year ago, beating out Barrick in the spring and starting seven games before giving way to the redshirt freshman. Platt completed 58% (130 of 226) of his passes for a team-leading 1,466 yards, three touchdowns and was intercepted 10 times.

McGwire, 6-8 and 235, started two games for Iowa in 1987, completing 41 of 72 passes for 506 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions before losing the starting job to Chuck Hartlieb. Shortly after Iowa defeated Wyoming, 20-19, in the 1987 Holiday Bowl, McGwire announced he was transferring to SDSU.

McGwire, younger brother of Oakland Athletics first baseman Mark McGwire, said at the time, “I knew wherever I transferred, there would be some quarterbacks already there. The only thing I want is fair opportunity to prove myself.”

He is getting that chance with SDSU, and many feel McGwire will emerge as the starter before spring drills conclude May 6.

“I’ve been out for a year, at least in the competitive sense,” McGwire said. “Now that I’m competing, it fires me up. I think you’re going to see the real Dan McGwire now.”

Said Platt: “It doesn’t matter what other people say. The only people I’m listening to are Coach Luginbill and Coach (Dave) Lay (the offensive coordinator).

“Going for the starting position is not even a concern. It’s the farthest thing from my mind right now. We just have too much to learn. Our performances are going to take care of themselves.”

Said Lay, “It’s really not fair making a judgment on a guy when he’s still learning the offense. Dan’s a great big guy. And he can really throw the football. Brad doesn’t have some of the physical ability that Dan has, but he throws the ball well.

Luginbill has indicated that whoever is not the starter will be No. 3 on the depth chart behind Morris.

“When I first heard that, it was kind of surprising,” Platt said. “It was tough to swallow.”

Platt also said that if he is not the starter, “the coaches have approached me, and I may play another position. They feel I have enough football sense that I could play somewhere else.”

A two-year letter-winner in both basketball and baseball in high school, Platt is a well-rounded athlete with decent speed (4.8 seconds in 40 yards). He could end up playing receiver in a reserve role, much the way Jim Plum did his senior year behind Santos.

“If it doesn’t work out, and they need me somewhere else, fine,” Platt said.

As for this spring, Luginbill is more concerned that McGwire and Platt learn his new system and the one-back, quick-attack offense that he is installing.

“It’s going to be a fun offense,” McGwire said. “When I came here it was because of (former coach) Denny Stolz. But since Al Luginbill took over, he brings a package that not many colleges run. It’s quite different, and it’s not easy to defend.”

Of the offense, which features a balanced running attack and a quick-strike passing game, Luginbill said: “Just do what you’re supposed to do, quarterback, and we’ll be fine. I’m firm believer in that a QB can lose a game quicker than anybody else.

“One thing’s for sure, our quarterbacks will be mentally tough. Our kids will understand criticism.”

Whoever does start will have a talented, fast corps of receivers, tight ends and running backs to throw to. Monty Gilbreath (60 receptions, 799 yards last season), Patrick Rowe, Robert Claiborne, Dennis Arey and Jimmy Raye are experienced returners at receiver.

Jim Hanawalt and Ray Rowe join converts Mitch Burton (from outside linebacker) and Kevin Macon (from fullback) at tight end. Ron Slack (21 catches, 206 yards), Tommy Booker and Darrin Wagner can catch coming out of the backfield.

And what about the lack of arms to throw to those receivers this spring?

“It means that Brad and I get a heck of a lot of reps,” McGwire said. “It enables us to learn the system more.”

And after all, that’s what spring football is all about.

Aztec Notes

As expected, Al Luginbill said the Aztecs will honor the scholarship of departed quarterback Scott Barrick until the end of the semester. The scholarship will most likely be saved for next season but could be used to lure another athlete this spring. The Aztecs have committed 23 of their alloted 25 scholarships. “If it’s a front-line player with good character, we may pick him up,” said Luginbill. Joe Temple, from Lincoln High, comes to mind. Temple, a tight end, had verbally committed to SDSU but later said he wanted to wait until basketball season was finished. “We haven’t heard from him,” said Luginbill. . . . With temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s Tuesday, the Aztecs practiced in full pads for the first time this spring. Said Luginbill, “Weather to me has nothing to do with football. You have to be mentally tough.” There were no injuries reported except offensive line coach, Steve Devine, had quite a sunburn.