AZTEC UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Luginbill Makes Adjustments in Lineup for Freedom Bowl

Coach Al Luginbill has had nearly three weeks to review San Diego State-Miami game films. The SDSU secondary has had nearly three weeks to heal--mentally, yes, but especially physically. What all this means is that, as the Aztecs prepare for the Freedom Bowl Dec. 30, cornerback John Louis no longer is a starter.

Luginbill, who made the announcement after the Aztecs reconvened for daily practices Wednesday, said freshman Eric Sutton and junior Gary Taylor will be SDSU’s two starting cornerbacks and that senior Zac Stokes will be the first reserve.

Taylor had been bothered with a groin strain the last half of the season and Stokes suffered a hamstring pull. Both are healthy now.

“We’re going to go with the guys who have been the most productive throughout the season,” Luginbill said. “It’s 12 days before the game, but that’s what the plans are.”

Louis, a redshirt sophomore, was inconsistent this season, particularly during the last two games--a 52-52 tie with Brigham Young and a 39-12 loss to Miami.

“He needs to prove to himself in practice that he can compete at a very high level,” Luginbill said. “In zone coverages, you’ve got to compete for the ball. I’d rather have a young man void a coverage than not compete for the ball.”

After practicing every few days throughout final examinations week, SDSU will now practice each day through the Freedom Bowl with the exceptions of Christmas Day and Dec. 29. SDSU normally does not practice the day before a game.

The Aztecs leave for their team hotel in Irvine after Saturday morning’s practice, return to San Diego after practice Dec. 24 and then go back to Irvine Dec. 26. Luginbill said there will be no curfew for the players until Dec. 26.

“People ask me why,” Luginbill said. “If we were at home, there would be no curfew. We expect them to represent the university with class, and they’ll do that.”

Running back Marshall Faulk was sick and missed practice Wednesday. Faulk finished ninth in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy, the second-highest finish ever for a freshman. Herschel Walker finished third in 1980. . . . Running back Curtis Butts and defensive back Robert Griffith also missed practice Wednesday because they had to take finals. As of Wednesday night, though, all of the Aztecs were finished. . . . Receiver Patrick Rowe will play in the Hula and Senior bowls. . . . The Aztecs will undergo NCAA--mandated drug tests Dec. 29. “I have no idea how they’ll turn it around in 24 hours,” Luginbill said.