McGwire Throws for 400 Yards in Scrimmage

Dan McGwire, San Diego State’s 6-foot-8 transfer quarterback, had another exceptional performance Friday in the Aztecs’ fourth intrasquad scrimmage of spring practice, completing 23 of 32 passes for 407 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Approximately 300 people watched the show at the Aztecs’ practice facility.

“I’m just getting more comfortable every day I’m there,” McGwire said. “I’m improving every day, and I know I can do better. This is only my third week in (Al Luginbill’s system).”

Actually it’s his fourth, and the Aztecs have one week left of spring practice, which ends with the Red-Black game Saturday at 7 p.m.

Luginbill has yet to name a starter--either McGwire or Brad Platt--for the opener Sept. 2 against Air Force. But with the kind of arm--and other factors--McGwire has demonstrated this spring, he is the likely candidate.

At tailback, Ron Slack (seven carries, 80 yards and one touchdown) is still battling Darrin Wagner (10 carries, 26 yards and two touchdowns) and Tommy Booker, who is out with a hamstring pull.

Even with Monty Gilbreath (knee), Robert Claiborne (hamstring) and now Tony Nettles (who injured his right wrist and will be X-rayed Monday) out, the Aztecs are still strong at receiver.

Jimmy Raye had 10 catches for 190 yards, including 50- and 17-yard touchdowns. Patrick Rowe had five catches for 165 yards, including touchdowns of 70 and 24 yards. Dennis Arey had seven receptions for 120 yards and an 11-yard score.

The defense had 14 sacks (Milt Wilson led with three), but defensive coordinator Barry Lamb said the pass rush was one of the few positive areas. “We got our fannies kicked today,” he said.

BASEBALL

Nevada Reno scored four runs in the fourth and went on to defeat the University of San Diego, 11-6, in a nonconference game at USD.

Scott Rawlins drove home Jeff Barry with the run that put Nevada Reno (25-24) ahead to stay, 7-6. Barry, a Santana High graduate, was four for five with three runs. USD is 18-29-1.

Tony Nobiensky hit a two-run home run, his sixth, in the sixth inning to lift Point Loma Nazarene (20-24, 8-14) over Azusa Pacific, 3-2, in the first game of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader at PLNC. Azusa (26-17, 13-8) won the second game, 11-0.

COLLEGE SIGNING

Steve McCaughey, a 6-foot-10 center for the Capistrano Valley High basketball team, has signed a letter of intent to attend U.S. International. McCaughey averaged seven points and seven rebounds as the Cougars went 24-5 and won the Southern Section 5-A championship. He chose USIU over Cal State Northridge.

MEN’S GOLF

Paul McGinley finished first with a 54-hole total of 217, leading U.S. International University to a first-place finish in the Nevada Reno Spring Invitational at Eagle Valley Golf Club in Carson City, Nev.

It was USIU’s fourth consecutive tournament victory.

USIU’s Craig Ballard (218) was second overall, and John Adams (224) tied for sixth.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

UC San Diego defeated Chapman in three games to advance to the Pacific Coast Volleyball Conference championship tonight at 7 at LaVerne. UCSD’s Jeff Babcock had eight kills as the Titons won, 15-6, 15-7, 15-9. No. 20 UCSD (11-16) will play LaVerne, which defeated UC Santa Cruz, 15-6, 10-15, 15-10, 15-9.

SOFTBALL

The University of San Diego (28-25) swept a doubleheader, 5-4 and 9-6, against Whittier College at USD. Angie Rais scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh in the first game on a Poet error and had three RBIs in the second game.