NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Two San Diego State Players Named to All-WAC Defense Team

Sound the trumpets. Crack open the champagne. For the first time since 1986, more than one San Diego State defensive player has made the all-Western Athletic Conference first team.

End Eric Duncan and back Damon Pieri became only the third and fourth SDSU defenders to make all-WAC in the past five years. To find a year in which two Aztecs were named, you have to go all the way back to 1986, when lineman Levi Esene and back Steve Lauter did it.

Receiver Patrick Rowe, running back Marshall Faulk and lineman Jim Jennings made the offensive side of the all-WAC team.

SDSU Coach Al Luginbill preferred to talk about Duncan and Pieri.

“This is what I’m most proud of--we finally broke into the ranks of the first team all-WAC defense,” Luginbill said.

Two players--linebacker Andy Coviello and tight end Ray Rowe--were noticeable by their absence. Coviello is tied for second in the conference with 11 sacks and Rowe is considered one of the WAC’s more dominant tight ends.

The all-WAC team is picked by conference coaches. The coaches cannot vote for their own players.

“It disappointed me not being first team and in that we have skilled guys who deserved more recognition,” Coviello said. “(Dimeback) Robert Griffith, our cornerbacks . . . I thought we got shafted.

“I think there are some things that go on with the voting that are just not right. It’s not because I’m mad about my own situation--I’m mad for the other guys.”

Ray Rowe also thought he was robbed.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “The coaches in the WAC go on statistics and I didn’t have the numbers the guy from BYU (Byron Rex) had. But we all know who’s a better tight end.

“When you go out on pass routes each play, you tend to catch more passes. Ask him to block somebody and it’s a whole different ballgame.”

Said Luginbill: “I would have voted (Coviello and Rowe) first team in a heartbeat, but I don’t vote and that’s what we have to live with.”

Rowe and Coviello each were listed on the second team, along with offensive linemen Tony Nichols and Kevin Macon. Linebacker Lou Foster was named honorable mention.

Luginbill on watching Boston College’s near-upset of No. 1 Miami Saturday in a game the Hurricanes won, 19-14: “There were some queasy moments the other day. I said if we’re going to go down there, please let it be the No. 1 team in the country. Please.”

SDSU receiver Patrick Rowe (sprained ankle), cornerback John Louis (pulled hamstring), linebacker Jamal Duff (groin strain) and defensive end Ramondo Stallings (shoulder strain) have been cleared to practice full speed today. Defensive back Sam Williford (hamstring) has been declared out of Saturday’s game.