AZTECS NOTEBOOK : Doctor: Faulk’s Return Is ‘Up in the Air’

Marshall Faulk was expected to be released from Mercy Hospital late Saturday night after a double-contrast CAT-scan showed two broken ribs, according to Dr. Robert Straumfjord, the Aztecs’ team doctor.

Straumfjord initially feared that Faulk might have injured his speen or liver after taking a hit in the second quarter of Saturday night’s 38-24 victory over New Mexico.

After examining Faulk, Straumfjord said he did not appear to suffer such injuries.

Straumfjord said Faulk’s return to the field is “up in the air,” but added rib injuries do not take long to heal and Faulk “could probably be playing in three weeks.”

Both Straumfjord and trainer Mark Haines, who drove Faulk to the hospital, said Faulk was in high spirits despite leaving the game after running for 153 yards and needing only 17 more to reach the 1,000-yard mark.

“He’s in a little discomfort, but his sense of humor is still there,” Haines said.

Straumfjord said the rib injury makes it painful for Faulk to talk.

Running back T.C. Wright, waiting all year for his chance after Faulk stole the spotlight, finally got it when Faulk was injured late in the second quarter.

Wright finished with 102 yards on 18 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The night didn’t start out well for him, though. He returned a punt 24 yards in the first quarter only to lose a fumble. He also lost a fumble in the second quarter.

“The first (time) I fumbled, I really felt terrible,” Wright said. “And in the second half, it was really like, ‘Damn, I come right out and fumble.’

“I was really hurting inside, thinking, ‘I’ve got to make up for this.’ ”

In addition to his rushing yardage, Wright also had 72 yards on three punt returns.

Kicker Andy Trakas made all of his conversion kicks Saturday--five total--for the first time all season.

“Can you believe it?” he said. “I just went out there and did what I always do, and things went well.”

Tight end Ray Rowe, who had one touchdown catch last season, had his first one of 1991 in the fourth quarter Saturday. It was a 10-yarder from David Lowery to put SDSU ahead, 38-17.

“I figured I’d get it earlier, but I’ll take it as it comes,” Rowe said. “It’s no big deal. As long as I’m blocking consistently. . . .”

Don’t Look, Ethel: SDSU fans were mooned again. . . . Another streaker, this one a male wearing a white T-shirt and tennis shoes but nothing else, was detained at an Aztec game. It happened at the end of the third quarter and was the fourth one this season. Three were detained at the UCLA game Sept. 26.

Just put a tent over the stadium. It’s a circus.

The Aztecs now lead the series, 13-5, and the last time the Lobos won was a 34-14 decision in Albuquerque in 1983. . . . Fifth-year New Mexico Coach Mike Sheppard is now 7-47 at the school. . . . The crowd of 21,338 was a season low for four games at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.