SDSU Football : New System Has Players on the Move
Position changes often take place when a new coach takes over a program as Al Luginbill did in November at San Diego State. Perhaps nobody knows that better than Kevin Macon and Jim Jennings.
Macon came from Patrick Henry High as a fullback, where he played his first two seasons. He rushed eight times for 21 yards and caught four passes for 23 yards last year while backing up Jennings.
Jennings, a sophomore from San Marcos, rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries and had 13 receptions for 81 yards. The fullback’s primary responsibility was helping tailback Paul Hewitt attain a second consecutive 1,000-yard season.
When Luginbill took over and implemented a one-back offense, Macon (6-feet-2, 235) and Jennings (6-4, 245) were fullbacks in a system without one. They were first switched to linebacker, but Jennings soon was on the offensive line.
When spring practice began, Macon was switched back to offense as a tight end. About three weeks into spring drills, he was moved again, this time joining Jennings on the offensive line.
“I think I’ll settle into this position,” said Macon, who is playing center. “Everybody keeps teasing me, asking where am I going to play next, quarterback, punter?”
Said Luginbill, “They’re offensive players, and that’s where they belong. They were both blocking backs basically. We just moved them up four yards.”
Luginbill said that since the team began practicing in pads Wednesday, Macon and Jennings (working at tackle) have come to the forefront. “Kevin Macon’s making his presence felt there,” Luginbill said. “He has made the most gigantic strides of anybody in our football program.”
Steve Devine, the offensive line coach, was a fullback himself at Heidelberg College. Before coming to SDSU in February 1988, Devine was the offensive line coach at Ohio State.
“Back where I come from,” he said, “there are a lot of All-American linemen running around who were once offensive fullbacks.”
Luginbill announced two more changes Saturday. Senior Thane Fisher has been moved from defensive end to linebacker, and sophomore Eric Duncan will move inside from defensive end to tackle.
The Aztecs will have an intrasquad scrimmage this morning at 10:40. It it will be under game situations with officials, penalties and a 25-second clock.
Linebackers Derrick Williams (slight concussion) and Terrill Steen (sprained ankle) suffered injuries Saturday and are questionable. Players who will not participate include receiver Patrick Rowe (knee), offensive linemen Roman Fortin (hip flexor), Chuck Hardaway (slight concussion), Bonner Montler (toes), Steve Blyth (knee) and Carlson Leomiti (heel) and defensive linemen George Glaze (hip) and George Tuioti (knee).
Today’s scrimmage will be the last practice open to the public as the team prepares for its regular season and Western Athletic Conference opener Sept. 2 at Air Force.