‘New’ Aztec Defense Doesn’t Faze Oregon : Football: Duck quarterback Bill Musgrave throws for 443 yards in 42-21 victory.

Defense!

Def--

D--

(Silence).

The San Diego State football team left Autzen Stadium here Saturday afternoon as it has left so many different stadiums in so many different cities in the past. Quietly. While the de-pfft-ense searched for answers amid discarded tape in the locker room, Coach Al Luginbill stewed outside it, insisting that these were no the real Aztecs.

For nine months, Luginbill has been emphasizing defense. He recruited hard in that area, shuffled a few players around, hoped and prayed. But a new decade began here Saturday in much the same way as the old one ended for the Aztecs. The defense evaporated, and SDSU went up in smoke, 42-21, before 35,118 at Oregon.

Quarterback Bill Musgrave, penalty flags--the entire outing left Aztec heads spinning.

Musgrave completed 31 of 46 passes for 443 yards and three touchdowns. The 31 completions were his career high, and the 443 yards were the third-most ever allowed by an Aztec defense.

And as if the Aztecs weren’t giving up enough yards, they yielded 93 more via 10 penalties, some of which were crucial, most of which were avoidable.

The Aztecs did not have a turnover. But they made enough other mistakes to cover three or four games. Take a look at what happened in the first quarter alone:

--The Aztecs were called for five penalties, one of which was declined.

--Center Jason Bill snapped high to punter Jason Savorn, who was tackled for an 11-yard loss, setting up Oregon’s second touchdown.

--SDSU allowed kickoff returns of 31 and 29 yards.

In the second quarter, SDSU’s Patrick Rowe returned a kick 24 yards but fumbled. The ball bounced out of bounds, allowing the Aztecs to retain possession. Two plays later, Tommy Booker fumbled. The Aztecs recovered.

And so the afternoon went. The Aztecs got behind, 28-7, managed to close to within 28-21, then were called for a couple more penalties that finished them off.

By the time it ended, a livid Luginbill was not at a loss for words.

“Obviously, it was a comedy of errors,” he said. “I don’t think if we would have gone out and written a script, we could have had more bad things happen to us. But that was our fault, and I am responsible for that. Our inability to execute and play the game the way it was meant to be played has to be altered. It’s that simple. You can’t play good football teams and allow the things to happen that we allowed to happen.”

One statistic Luginbill most despised last season was the fact that the Aztec defense allowed 65 plays in which opponents gained 20 or more yards. Saturday, Oregon struck for 20 or more on seven plays--and gained 19 on two others.

At various points, Musgrave completed six, nine and five consecutive passes.

“Musgrave is Ty Detmer reincarnated, with his accuracy,” Luginbill said, referring to BYU’s Heisman Trophy candidate.

Said Musgrave: “They were just playing man coverage out there. It’s tough staying with our quick receivers if you’re going to play man.”

Musgrave wasn’t the only Duck who found a place in SDSU’s record book. Tony Hargain caught 10 of his passes for 206 yards. That’s the fourth-most yards SDSU has allowed a receiver.

“We did not make a play against the pass the whole day, which is shocking to me,” Luginbill said.

The Ducks gained nearly 200 more yards than the Aztecs--576-387. But Oregon lost three fumbles and 83 yards on seven penalties--which in part explains why, as the third quarter neared completion, the Aztecs still had a chance to win.

SDSU drove 58 yards in five plays, helped along when Oregon was called for having 12 men on the field when the Aztecs punted from their own 48, producing a first down at the Oregon 37. Two plays later, with 11:30 left in the quarter, Dan McGwire passed 22 yards to tight end Jim Hanawalt for a touchdown.

28-14.

Six minutes later, Booker broke loose for a 64-yard run, setting the Aztecs up for another touchdown. This one came on a one-yard McGwire sneak.

28-21.

SDSU began to think “comeback,” and it seemed very possible when the Aztecs stopped the Ducks on their next possession on third and four from the Oregon 32 with 2:40 to play in the third quarter. But the Aztecs were called for a personal foul, giving Oregon a first down at its 43. The penalty apparently was on linebacker Andy Coviello for a late hit, although Coviello said he wasn’t sure.

“Critical error,” Coviello said. “To be honest, I don’t know who it was called on. (Offensive tackle David) Collinsworth came into me because somebody else came flying into him. I don’t know if they called it on me or not . . .

“We were on our way to changing the momentum, and you get up and there’s a penalty flag on the field, and you wonder what the heck happened. We made simple, critical mistakes at critical times.”

Whatever, Oregon continued its drive, moving all the way to the Aztec three. And on third and goal from there, a Musgrave pass fell incomplete, and it looked as if the Aztecs were going to hold Oregon to a field goal and . . .

Penalty. Offsides, SDSU. First down, Oregon, at the 2. One play later, Hargain took a reverse in for the touchdown.

It was that kind of afternoon.

“I’m extremely disappointed with our critical errors in the football game,” Luginbill said. “We have worked so hard, and obviously have a long way to go. But we won’t stop working, we won’t change our philosophy. This football team will be a good football team. I want it to get to the point where it doesn’t beat itself.”

Aztecs Notes

The two most prolific passing days against SDSU came in 1986, when New Mexico’s Billy Rucker passed for 490 yards, and in 1983, when Brigham Young’s Steve Young threw for 446. . . . SDSU quarterback Dan McGwire completed 20 of 40 passes for 223 yards. Running back Tommy Booker gained an SDSU career-high 113 yards on seven carries. . . . From SDSU’s perspective, one of the few bright spots was a 36-yard first quarter touchdown pass from McGwire to Patrick Rowe, who missed all of last year redshirting because of an injury. . . . The touchdown catch by tight end Jim Hanawalt was the first in his college career. . . . There was a split officiating crew representing both the Western Athletic Conference and Pac-10. . . . Jimmy Raye, Morey Paul and Jason Bill represented SDSU for the coin flip before the game. Rather than elect captains, SDSU Coach Al Luginbill sends different seniors out before each game. . . . The afternoon was also a rough one for SDSU freshman defensive back Marcus Preciado. The name on the back of his uniform read “PERCIADO.” . . . Classes do not even begin at Oregon for two more weeks.

FIVE AZTEC PENALTIES THAT MATTERED MOST 1. Situation: Oregon, third and three at SDSU 32, 9:30 remaining in first quarter. Musgrave completes 14-yard pass to Thomason. Penalty: Facemask, nine yards tacked on to 14-yard reception. Result: Oregon, first and goal at SDSU nine. Three plays later, Oregon scores touchdown for 7-0 lead.

2. Situation: SDSU kicks off after tying game, 7-7, with 3:40 remaining in first quarter. McClellan returns ball from Oregon five to 29. Penalty: Facemask, 15 yards from point of infraction. Result: Oregon has ball at its own 49. SDSU holds but loses field position when Oregon punts to SDSU 15.

3. Situation: SDSU, first and 10 from own 25, 5:10 remaining in second quarter. Booker rushes. Penalty: Holding, 10 yards. Result: SDSU’s field position troubles worsen.

4. Situation: Oregon, third and four from own 32, 2:40 remaining in third quarter, after SDSU has closed deficit to 28-21. Musgrave completes pass to Burwell for loss of four. Penalty: Personal foul, 15 yards. Result: Oregon first down at its own 43.

5. Situation: Oregon, later in same drive, third and goal from SDSU three, 26 seconds remaining in third quarter. Musgrave pass is incomplete. Penalty: Offsides, one yard, repeat third down. Result: Instead of having to decide whether to try a field goal, Oregon gets an extra play. Hargain scores around left end to make it 35-21.