AZTEC NOTEBOOK : Possible Bid Bowls Over SDSU

And suddenly, there was bowl talk.

It’s still a longshot, but San Diego State Athletic Director Fred Miller said Saturday that the Aztecs are among a handful of teams under consideration for an Independence Bowl berth. Miller and SDSU Coach Al Luginbill talked to the players about it after Saturday’s 40-34 victory at New Mexico.

“If it’s there, we’re more than happy to take it,” quarterback Dan McGwire said. “We have an explosive offense and our defense is coming around. I think this team deserves it.”

Said receiver Dennis Arey: “(Luginbill) mentioned something about it. He says we’re getting looked at.”

Arey brushed aside bowl talk, though, in favor of Saturday’s game against Texas El Paso.

“We won’t get looked at if we don’t win,” he said.

After UTEP, the Aztecs finish the season against Miami, Fla., at home Dec. 1.

The Independence Bowl is Dec. 15 in Shreveport, La.

SDSU’s top three receivers--Arey, Patrick Rowe and Jimmy Raye--all had big games against New Mexico despite what most Aztecs thought was an all-around inconsistent day.

Rowe, who had 131 yards receiving, broke the 100-yard barrier for the seventh consecutive game, leaving him one short of tying the NCAA record.

He credits some of his success to Arey and Raye.

“It’s hard to defense three great receivers,” Rowe said. “If a receiver from another team is great, with two average receivers, he might be average. With me and Dennis and Jimmy, it’s like three great receivers.

Arey had 150 yards and Raye 110 and two touchdowns.

The general consensus was that the offense was inconsistent because New Mexico changed its defense for the Aztecs.

“They didn’t blitz,” Luginbill said. “They came a few times, but not like earlier in the year. They changed their thought process to make us earn it and not give us any big plays.”

Aztec Notes

Sophomore free safety Damon Pieri left the game in the fourth quarter with a bruised hand. SDSU Coach Al Luginbill said he planned to have it X-rayed when he returned to San Diego. . . . Marlon Andrews had two interceptions Saturday. SDSU has now had five in its last three games after not getting any in its first six games. . . . SDSU has scored 30 or more points in each of its past eight games, and the Aztecs have scored 40 or more three times in a row and in five of their past six games. . . . Luginbill on SDSU’s unbalanced offense: “It’s insane to have (530) passing yards and (158) rushing. It doesn’t make any sense. But right now, we’re playing in spurts. I want to get us to where, toward the end of the year, we’re at the same level of intensity for a whole game.” He better hurry--there are only two games left. . . . For the second time this year, SDSU lost the turnover battle. SDSU had three, New Mexico had two.