AZTEC UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Utah’s Offensive Consistency Generates Concern for Luginbill

Utah has essentially the same football team that lost to San Diego State a year ago, 66-14. But Aztec Coach Al Luginbill is worried that this year’s Ute offense can stretch his defense.

“I’m concerned in relationship to tackling and staying outside of the football and not let people get deep on us,” Luginbill said Wednesday. “They’ve done a fine job of execution.”

Actually, on the way to a 5-2 record and 2-1 start in the Western Athletic Conference, Utah has only scored more than three touchdowns once, winning a 57-42 shootout at Wyoming.

But even if their scores are generally in the 20s, Luginbill said, “They’re keeping their defense off the field, with basically the same players they had last year except the running back and the quarterback.”

The quarterback, junior college transfer Frank Dolce, is fifth in the WAC in passing ratings, just behind the Aztecs’ David Lowery. The running back, sophomore Keith Williams, is sixth in the WAC in rushing. Utah also leads the conference in sacks, at more than four per game.

Injury Update: Three Aztecs will miss Saturday’s game: running back Marshall Faulk, still listed as week-to-week; offensive lineman Carson Leomiti, whose injured ankle is improving more slowly than was hoped; and defensive back Marcus Preciado, who has an injured right hamstring. Freshman receiver Darnay Scott missed practice Wednesday with a stomach flu, and linebacker Andy Coviello suffered a bruised shoulder, but both are expected to play Saturday.

On the mend are running back T.C. Wright and defensive lineman Eric Duncan, who practiced at full speed Wednesday. Luginbill said if Wright appears to be 100% healthy, he also will return punts.

Despite his absence, Faulk continues to rank second in the NCAA Division I-A, averaging 163.8 yards per game, and still leads the nation in scoring at 18.3 points per game.

The Aztecs are 17th nationally in team rushing, getting 229.9 yards per game on the ground. The school record of 269.2 was set in 1952. The Aztecs need two rushing touchdowns to match last year’s total of 28.

Faulk on his fleeting fame: “I just came and I’m a has-been.”