AZTECS : Faulk at a Loss for Words, Record : College football: SDSU back would not want to carry the ball as many times as did the Jayhawk back who set the new record.

It lasted all of two months--two months and 10 days, to be exact. But Marshall Faulk, former NCAA record-holder for rushing yardage in a game, is no longer the king.

Tony Sands of Kansas eclipsed Faulk’s single-game rushing record during the Jayhawks’ 53-29 victory over Missouri Saturday with 396 yards on 58 carries.

Faulk, in just his second collegiate game, rushed for 386 yards against Pacific on Sept. 12.

“I can’t say nothing,” Faulk said after practice on Monday. “I didn’t see the game. A couple of people called and told me about it.”

Faulk read about it in Monday’s Daily Aztec, SDSU’s student paper, and saw it was true. Sands’ 58 carries also set an NCAA record.

“I don’t think I would want to carry the ball 58 times,” said Faulk, who carried 37 times on his record-setting night. “I wonder what kind of offense they run? The option? One-back? Two-back?

“I’m happy for him. I’m just sorry they picked a bad team like Missouri and said ‘We’re going to go for it.’ But records are broken. It doesn’t bother me. I’m a team player.”

Asked if he thought he had a chance to surpass Sands’ record, Faulk said yes.

“I’ll always have the chance to break it as long as I’m playing college football,” Faulk said. “You never know.”

Faulk still owns three NCAA freshman records and can win the NCAA rushing and scoring titles this weekend. He needs to gain at least 116 yards at Miami to become the first freshman and first SDSU player to lead the nation in rushing. Faulk is currently averaging 159.38 yards and Indiana’s Vaughn Dunbar is second at 154.45.

He also will win the scoring title by just playing Saturday. He is averaging 17.5 points a game, and Michigan’s Desmond Howard is second at 12.55. Even if Faulk does not score Saturday, he will be averaging 15.55 points a game.

So the Aztecs are 8-2-1.

So what? They’re still 26-point underdogs to No. 1 Miami Saturday.

“We’re 26 under?” SDSU Coach Al Luginbill exclaimed.

Said receiver Patrick Rowe: “Can you believe that?”

Rowe paused.

“We’ll see,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Rowe, who suffered a sprained ankle against Brigham Young Nov. 16, suited up but did not practice Monday.

“It’s a little sore right now,” Rowe said. “There is still some swelling. But I’m getting treatment three times a day and hopefully I’ll have a speedy recovery.”

Rowe wasn’t sure if he would practice today but said he will definitely aim for Wednesday.

“I don’t want to reaggravate it and push too fast,” he said.

Rowe may have sprained an ankle, but the injury of the week goes to defensive back John Louis, who pulled a hamstring . . . while getting up from his couch.

“That’s what he told us,” Luginbill said, shaking his head.

Louis, a starting cornerback, didn’t practice Friday or Monday but said he will do some things today.

Louis said he first pulled the hamstring in practice last week and then made it worse while removing himself from his couch.

“(The hamstring) was cold,” Louis explained. “I just got up too fast and pulled it more.”

Freedom Bowl tickets can be purchased either through the SDSU ticket office for $28 (283-SDSU) or through the Orange County Sports Assn. (714/937-7391) for $28 or $15. They are also on sale at gate nine at Anaheim Stadium.