Aztecs in Provo: Nothing to Write Home About So Far

Some Postcards from the Edge:

Provo, Utah, 1982 Hi Sue,

Having a ball. Wish you were here. Beautiful mountains. My San Diego State Aztecs lost, 58-8. Got to go. The team buses are running, Coach Scovil is mad, and I don’t want to get left here.

Love, Monty Montezuma

And so it goes. SDSU has never won in Provo. Seven games, seven losses. In fact, the 17-point margin in 1987 is the closest the Aztecs have come in Provo since 1948, when Brigham Young won, 14-6. Overall, BYU leads the series, 12-4.

There are silver linings, though, and that is what the Aztecs prefer to think about these days. What SDSU points to is that they have split the past four games with the Cougars, winning in 1986 and 1988 in San Diego.

The 1986 game decided the Western Athletic Conference championship, and the Aztecs’ 10-3 victory gave them their only Holiday Bowl berth. Maybe that’s when this rivalry really intensified. Now, without a doubt, BYU is one of the biggest games on the schedule as far as SDSU is concerned.

“Definitely,” defensive back Marlon Andrews said, smiling.

Which brings us to this year. SDSU travels to BYU Saturday, and the contrast between the two is pretty distinct. SDSU is a team still struggling to find an identity. Of 79 players, only 14 are seniors. The Aztecs are 1-1 in 1990, coming off an awful performance in Oregon and a decent one against Cal State Long Beach.

What do you mean, “Cal State Who?”

Anyway, BYU (3-0) is rated fourth in the nation. The Cougars defeated then-No. 1 Miami two weeks ago, 28-21, and then held a second-half barbecue against Washington State last week. BYU trailed at halftime, 29-7, but rallied to a 50-36 victory with a 36-point fourth quarter.

Thirty-six points in the fourth quarter?

Yes.

Did we mention national television? No?

Not only is this game being televised by CBS, it is being shown to 80% of the nation. It was originally scheduled to be telecast only to the western states, but BYU and quarterback Ty Detmer have been climbing the charts faster than a new release by Paula Abdul. Combine that with the slow starts by Alabama and Georgia--the other game being telecast by CBS--and you’ve got a network counting on a curious audience.

Then there’s the crowd in Provo. BYU has announced a sellout of 65,000.

And the Aztecs have never won there.

Provo, 1984

Hi Mom,

The trip was going great until the flight attendant spilled coffee all over me. Oh, well. That was a highlight compared to the game. BYU, 34-3. Don’t ask.

Love, Monty

P.S.--Maybe you could do my laundry when I get back?

Don’t bring up any of this BYU or TV stuff to SDSU Coach Al Luginbill. He talked to the team about it all Monday, but said that would be the last time this week he mentions either of those subjects. The players’ focus, he said, should be on what SDSU needs to do rather than on what BYU will do.

Luginbill sees similarities to last year’s Miami game. The Aztecs traveled to Miami when the Hurricanes were ranked No. 1 and lost, 42-6, before 42,362. He thinks the Aztecs got caught up in pregame hype, so he is going about things differently this year.

“I’m very sensitive to that,” he said. “It was ‘Miami’s offense’ and ‘Miami’s defense’ and ‘Miami’s special teams.’ The first 10 minutes, we might as well have bought tickets and sat in the stands.

“What’s that saying? Once burned, twice shy? That’s me.”

So he is approaching things differently this season. Still, he can only downplay events so much. The players realize what’s at stake.

“Everybody is really excited,” senior H-back Jimmy Raye said. “It’s like one of those games you dream about. A huge crowd, national TV, all of your family and friends can watch you, you have the chance to beat a legitimate top-20 team.

“I don’t think our guys are worried about the crowd or TV. It’s still BYU, and that’s a big game to us whether they’re No. 4 in the country or No. 400 in the country.”

BYU. The initials that get the Aztecs’ attention.

“Comparing BYU and Miami, it’s a whole different deal,” Raye said. “It’s the same situation with the rankings, but we had never played (in Miami) before. They’re the kind of team you only see on TV. Big, bad Miami.

“We see BYU every year. We never go in with the idea of being intimidated.”

Raye was a redshirt freshman on SDSU’s 1986 Holiday Bowl team. He remembers the BYU game, the victory and the jubilation that followed. Then he was around in 1988 when SDSU upset then-No. 20 BYU, 27-15.

Raye says this game is particularly special for the fifth-year seniors.

“Ever since we’ve been here, we’re 2-2 against BYU,” he said. “Two wins are more than any other San Diego State team.”

Provo, 1985

Hi all,

Well, I guess you know by now. BYU, 28-0. What a trip. I don’t care if I never get back.

Cheers, Monty

The main reason SDSU players look forward to playing BYU each year, certainly, is because no other WAC team has had as much success as BYU. The Cougars have won 10 outright WAC titles and tied for first three other times.

“They’re a good, solid team that doesn’t make mistakes,” senior receiver Dennis Arey said. “That’s why they’re so successful every year.

“I was really impressed with their Miami game. Against Washington State, I was impressed with Detmer himself. I think the whole team was asleep on him, and he just said, ‘I’m going to get the job done.’ ”

Said Andrews: “It was a great comeback. I take my hat off to them. That’s trademark BYU. Never lay down.”

Still, if you’re looking for SDSU to stand in awe of BYU, forget it.

“Anybody can be beat,” senior offensive lineman Nick Subis said. “Miami was beaten by BYU when they were ranked what, (No. 1)? But BYU deserved to win. They have a good quarterback, and they fought hard.

“We have to take the same approach--work hard all four quarters, strive in adversity and make things happen.”

Regardless of the outcome, SDSU’s financially strapped athletic budget will get a boost. The Aztecs will receive $550,000 for their television appearance, which they will share with other teams in the conference. SDSU will keep about $85,000, according to Athletic Director Fred Miller.

And while national television may be nothing new to the folks at BYU, Luginbill hopes the CBS spotlight won’t affect the Aztecs. The players promise it won’t.

“I’m excited when we’re on Prime Ticket,” Arey said. “It really doesn’t matter to me.”

Said Andrews: “We’re not really paying attention to the No. 4 ranking and the national television. It’s hard to forget, but we have to focus on what we have to do.

“They’re just BYU.”

Provo, 1987

Hi Sis,

Well, at least it’s hard to get into trouble off the field around here. I think you have to show ID just to get a drink with caffeine. I asked for a Coke at the front desk of the hotel, and they looked at each other funny, then they looked at me like I had mustard on my chin. Which I did, but that’s another story. Going up to Salt Lake City tomorrow to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

See ya, Monty

P.S. We lost, 38-21. But you already knew that.