Wyoming Coach Looks at SDSU-BYU Game

And now, a word on the San Diego State-Brigham Young game from Wyoming Coach Joe Tiller.

Two weeks ago, Wyoming was defeated by SDSU, 24-22. And last Saturday, the Cowboys lost at BYU, 56-31.

Tiller didn’t want to make a prediction, but this is what he had to say on the matchup:

“Each team has their strengths--this has the making of an exceptional game.

“The experience strength goes to BYU. BYU has been involved in more games like this than San Diego State. But that may be negated because this is in San Diego rather than Provo.

“The quarterback edge goes to BYU. (Ty) Detmer is an outstanding collegiate quarterback. He’s awfully, awfully good. I agree with Coach (LaVell) Edwards that he is playing better this year than last. I just don’t think his supporting cast is as good as last year.

“I think (SDSU quarterback David Lowery) has continued to get better, but he’s going against a four-year starter.

“In team strength, BYU has the edge. But San Diego State has the edge in speed.”

Tiller thinks the key will be BYU’s ability to take away the big play from SDSU.

“BYU is going to move the ball,” Tiller said. “That’s by design and with their experience at quarterback. They move the ball against everyone. . . .

“Obviously, San Diego State will play very emotionally. This is something they’ve been trying to do for awhile, and now here it is in their own back yard.

“Maybe the key will be the way the two defenses perform.”

Tiller wanted to make sure the game was on television.

“I’m looking forward to seeing that rascal,” he said in his best Cowboy accent. “I think it will be a good ‘un.”

SDSU Coach Al Luginbill said he was not discussing bowls with his team this week.

“The only guaranteed bowl we have is to win Saturday (and earn a Holiday Bowl bid),” Luginbill said. “Otherwise it’s just conjecture. Anything but a win leaves us at other people’s mercy.

“We’d like to go home Saturday night having a bowl in our hip pocket.”

Luginbill still was happy with the way SDSU’s receivers played in Saturday’s Colorado State game. Quarterback David Lowery completed 24 of 34 passes for 279 yards.

“I thought we caught the ball extremely well last week,” Luginbill said. “It was the best we’ve done. Knock on wood, I’d like it to continue this week.”

SDSU has won only one Western Athletic Conference championship. BYU has won 12. . . . Since 1985, BYU is only 2-4 in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. The Cougars have lost to SDSU twice (1986, 10-3; 1988, 27-15), beaten the Aztecs once (1989, 48-27) and are 1-2 in Holiday Bowls since then (1989, Penn State 50, BYU 39; 1990, Texas A&M; 65, BYU 14).