COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : SAN DIEGO STATE : Beating Offense The Tough Part

Opposing teams may be gleefully rubbing their hands these days at the chance to get a crack at San Diego State’s porous defense, but they also must figure out a way to stop an Aztec offense that is averaging 38 points and 495 yards a game.

Terry Donahue, in his 15th season as UCLA coach, will be faced with that task Saturday. Donahue, 6-0 against SDSU since the teams began playing each season in 1984, said Tuesday that he thinks this year’s Aztec offense is the best he has seen.

“I think this is the best offensive football that I’ve seen in my relationship with San Diego State,” he said. “I’m not referring to the former years of (former Coach Don) Coryell and those people because I didn’t study SDSU (then). . . . They’ve done a marvelous job. It’s an awfully, awfully explosive offensive team.”

So, one guess as to what worries Donahue most about Saturday’s game.

“Certainly, San Diego State’s ability to put points on the board and the efficiency of their offensive football team is a huge concern to us,” he said. “Obviously, when you watch them play and see the number of points they’re throwing up, you figure you’re going to have to score a lot of points and take advantage of every opportunity you have to win the game because they’re a very legitimate, formidable offensive team right now.”

The Aztecs are rated fifth in the country in both total offense (495.2 a game) and points (38.4).

SDSU trainer Brian Barry said free safety Johnny Walker (mid-right foot sprain) “needs more time” and will likely be held out of practice all week. Coach Al Luginbill said either freshman walk-on Marcus Preciado or sophomore Zac Stokes will start in his place Saturday at UCLA. . . . Luginbill said he will not name a starting running back until later in the week. Tommy Booker (foot sprain) had a good practice Tuesday and should be ready to go Saturday. . . . Offensive lineman Nick Subis missed practice Tuesday with a head problem. Luginbill said it is nothing serious, and his absence was just precautionary. . . . Quarterback Dan McGwire, who was sick and missed Monday’s practice, was feeling normal again. . . . The Aztecs, who are allowing opponents 508 yards of offense a game, are ranked 105th--out of 106--in the country in total defense. Only the University of Pacific is lower. The Aztecs, allowing 38.8 points a game, are also rated 105th in scoring defense.