Aztec Football Games to Start Earlier : College football: Most games to begin at 6:05.

San Diego State will kick off most of its home football games at 6:05 p.m. next fall, Fred Miller, SDSU athletic director, said Thursday.

The only exceptions will be the UCLA game, which already has been moved to 5:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 to accommodate ESPN, and possibly the Brigham Young game Nov. 16, which Miller said will also be telecast by ESPN. The BYU game time is to be announced.

Miller also said that SDSU and XTRA radio (690 AM) have reached an agreement in principle for the station to broadcast Aztec football and basketball games beginning next year. Although nothing has been signed, SDSU and XTRA have agreed on a three-year contract, with an option for two more years.

Miller said the time switch--games will begin one hour earlier than last season--was made for several reasons.

“We think it is much more accommodating for families,” he said. “The passing game is longer, and that’s part of our success. Sometimes, our games will go 3 1/2 hours. This way, people will get out at a more reasonable time, the weather will be warmer, people can tailgate earlier and the media coverage will be better. It will also accommodate the visiting team--it can clear the airport before curfew and save an extra night’s lodging.”

The Aztecs open their season at home on Sept. 8 against Cal State Long Beach. The game is scheduled for a Sunday because of a conflict with the Padres, who play at home on Sept. 7. SDSU plays seven home games and a total of 12 games before closing the season at Miami on Nov. 30. The Aztecs on Nov. 9 play Colorado State for the first time since 1988.

Single-game ticket prices will be the same as last season, ranging from $9 to $14. Prices for the UCLA and BYU games range from $12 to $18.

Miller said the radio package with XTRA is worth about $2.9 million over the next three years. He said the station will broadcast all games live, and that there will be an escape clause in the contract for SDSU if the station changes from its current news/sports talk format.

SDSU athletic department officials will sell much of their own advertising time for game broadcasts--28 minutes per football game and 20 minutes per basketball game. Miller said SDSU corporate sponsors have committed to about half of that so far.

“We think it’s a unique opportunity to complete our corporate package,” Miller said. “It will create positive cash flow from the university.”

1991 SDSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:

Sept. 8--Cal State Long Beach

Sept. 14--Pacific

Sept. 21--at Air Force

Sept. 26--UCLA

Oct. 5--at Hawaii

Oct. 12--New Mexico

Oct. 19--at Texas El Paso

Oct. 26--at Utah

Nov. 2--Wyoming

Nov. 9--Colorado State

Nov. 16--Brigham Young

Nov. 30--at Miami.