COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : AZTECS : Luginbill Takes Offense at Defense

Coach Al Luginbill was so angry Thursday that he ended practice 20 minutes early. He first kicked the defense off the field, then told everyone else to follow.

“It was just a couple of individuals,” Luginbill said. “I’m mad at a couple of individuals who weren’t executing the defense. The other 100 kids on the team suffer.”

Luginbill refused to name the culprits, but he had words during practice for nickelback Tracey Mao and cornerbacks Gary Taylor and Marlon Andrews. Taylor and Andrews got into trouble for lining up wrong, and Mao blew “force” twice in a row. During a drill at the end of practice during which the Aztec offense goes against the defense, T.C. Wright got loose for about a 15-yard touchdown run, and then Larry Maxey went for a 70-yard touchdown run on the next play. Mao was supposed to go to the outside and force the running backs toward the middle but failed, drawing Luginbill’s wrath.

Luginbill said he will consider personnel changes for Saturday’s game at Wyoming.

“On Thursday, we expect nothing but perfection,” Mao said. “I don’t think the whole practice was bad, just a few key plays--and a couple on my part.

“I just had a bad day. I guess everyone has them. I’m not trying to make excuses. It just seemed like (the coaches) were on me a little hard. That’s no problem. I can deal with that.”

It also seems Mao has had an off-the-field problem this week. He and his fiance had an argument Wednesday evening, and it had not been resolved by Thursday’s practice.

He asked to send this message to “SMC”:

“I’m sorry, and I love you.” Hey. Who needs Dear Abby, anyway?

The Aztecs leave for Laramie, Wyo., this morning, which means it will be a long day. They fly to Denver, then board buses for the drive to Laramie, which takes about 2 1/2 hours. Offensive lineman Nick Subis made the trip the last time SDSU traveled to Wyoming, which resulted in a 52-10 loss in 1987. “You just ride the bus and watch the antelope on the side of the freeway,” he said. Antelope? “Yeah, there’s really antelope.” Center Kevin Macon says he saw gazelles and wild horses. . . . Running back Tommy Booker (sprained ankle) will not make the trip.