College Football ’92 : Aztecs Face a Difficult Campaign : Football: San Diego State attempts to upgrade its image this season.

Consider their upcoming season one long, bumpy bus ride, not unlike those currently made popular by those on the Democratic presidential ticket.

Consider their mission similar to that of a Republican, name of President Bush:

The San Diego State Aztecs will attempt to redefine themselves during their 1992 campaign.

Redefine themselves as a team that is capable of not only arriving at the castle, but of kicking in the door and taking the throne.

Redefine themselves as Western Athletic Conference champions. As a team that can not only receive a bowl invitation, but actually win a bowl game.

While everyone else wants to debate whether Marshall Faulk really is the best running back in the land, whether he really can win the Heisman Trophy, and whether he and the rest of the team can really handle the most difficult schedule in school history . . .

Coach Al Luginbill wants to discuss mental toughness.

“Without a doubt, the key is going to be our ability to function at a high rate of execution,” he says. “To eliminate bad plays, to minimize our errors in each football game. When we have fewer errors than our opponent in each football game, our opportunity to win is going to be much greater.”

There is this sheet of paper. Luginbill and the coaches have come up with several categories, under headings such as “Drive killers” and “Drive boosters.” They will refer to this paper often.

A dirty campaign? Yes--the Aztecs play all 11 games on natural grass fields.

A negative campaign? Potentially--SDSU’s first three games are against USC, at Brigham Young and at UCLA.

“No margin for error,” quarterback David Lowery said. “We’ve got to go play our best.”

Until the polls close on Nov. 28, after the Aztecs’ game against Miami, there will be no clear answers.

Until then, there are only issues.

The 1992 platform:

ISSUE 1: FAMILY VALUES I

So Luginbill cringes at the memory because he does not consider it one of his finer moments. But two years ago, after one game in which the SDSU defense was particularly abysmal, he angrily described the effort as “an abortion.”

When it comes to defense, nobody at SDSU has ever been politically correct. Theshort answer to the quality of this year’s unit: Who knows?

They claim it will be improved each season, but that’s like saying the problems between Woody Allen and Mia Farrow are no deeper than a disagreement on whether to stick the BarcaLounger in the living room or family room.

Last year, the defense was progressing until, by Luginbill’s count, it had 16 coverage busts--mental breakdowns on assignments--in the final four games. That rivals even the Republican Convention.

“You hate to wait 11 games to see if we can be consistent, but it’s going to take that,” defensive coordinator Barry Lamb said. “Our goal is to play good, consistent defense for 11 games. If we can do that, it will be a vast improvement.”

The Aztecs’ 46 defense is deeper all the way around, particularly up front and at linebacker. The line features two new faces: a quicker Ty Morrison and imposing Jamal Duff. At linebacker, Tracey Mao returns after a one-year absence, and Notre Dame transfer Shawn Smith becomes eligible this season.

The heat will be on the secondary--what’s new?--where freshmen Leonard Jones and Freddie Edwards have a chance to play immediately. SDSU, attempting to prevent fatigue late in the season, will use defensive backfield rotations that include Damon Pieri, Darrell Lewis, Chris Johnson, Eric Sutton and Gary Taylor--and whoever else has a pulse and a helmet.

ISSUE 2: THE DEFICIT

The SDSU defense is supposed to be better in 1992, but it also was guaranteed to have been improved in each of the past two seasons.

In 1991, the Aztecs gave up 453 yards per game and finished 103rd in the nation in total defense. In 1990, the Aztecs were the last Division I team in the nation to intercept a pass.

The bad news for 1992: With Arkansas State moving up to Division I, there are now 107 such teams--instead of 106--in the nation.

Which, of course, means SDSU can sink even lower in the statistical rankings.

ISSUE 3: THE ENVIRONMENT

Undoubtedly, it is in much better shape at SDSU with Faulk wearing a black uniform.

Obviously, the continuing success of Faulk--who collected 1,429 yards and 23 touchdowns last season--is vital. Although slowed in fall camp by a minor ankle sprain, he is ready to go against USC on Saturday.

Sophomore Darnay Scott, who caught touchdown passes of 79 and 75 yards against BYU last year, burns fuel so quickly going deep he should be smog-checked.

Also, quarterback Lowery, last year’s most valuable player, gave the Aztecs their own greenhouse effect. Soon as he took over, they warmed up.

Lowery, a spunky sort who is beloved by his teammates, completed 56% of his passes last season for 2,621 yards and 19 touchdowns. The downside: 13 interceptions.

Lowery’s personal environment will depend on how his offensive line jells. Center Mike Alexander and tackle Chris Finch, both newcomers to the starting unit, will be under the gun.

The Aztecs need Lowery to stay healthy. With Cree Morris having transferred to Division II St. Mary’s, Lowery’s backups are sophomore Tim Gutierrez, who has never thrown a collegiate pass, and freshman Billy Blanton.

ISSUE 4: “I KNOW MARSHALL FAULK. MARSHALL FAULK IS A FRIEND OF MINE. AND FRESHMAN, YOU’RE NO MARSHALL FAULK.”

Do the Aztecs have any freshman hidden who can come remotely close to Faulk’s accomplishments as a freshman? Yeah, and bats will fly out of a referee’s nose.

Aztec coaches say defensive lineman La’Roi Glover (Point Loma High) and tight end Adrian Ioja (Garden Grove) might make the most impact by season’s end. Glover will get his first action against USC on Saturday.

ISSUE 5: THE CABINET

Luginbill’s controversial firing of offensive coordinator Dave Lay and the removal of another popular assistant, Dan Underwood, continued to be the talk of fall camp. If the Aztec offense stumbles, the heat will get hotter.

Bret Ingalls, former offensive line coach, is the new offensive coordinator. There are few changes planned for an offense that has finished in the top seven nationally in each of the past three seasons.

Luckiest new coach: Sean Payton, who joins the Aztec staff as running backs coach. Real difficult job there. Payton’s most important role will be, repeat after us: Keep Faulk Safe in Practice!

ISSUE 6: FAMILY VALUES II

Offensive guard Carlson Leomiti is skinnier. Mao is back, although not on scholarship, after missing last season because of his part in a brawl.

Kicker Andy Trakas is concentrating better, Luginbill said, because of competition from freshman Peter Holt.

Ray Peterson, Faulk’s roommate, is primed to grab your attention. He is starting at H-back and will return punts.

Running back Wayne Pittman, whose father is a chief warrant officer in the Navy and served in the Persian Gulf crisis, might be one of the premier backups in the nation. After Faulk fractured two ribs last season, Pittman gained more than 100 yards in three consecutive games.

In the classroom, defensive back Robert Griffith’s major is still unsurpassed: Electrical engineering.

ISSUE 7: POLICIES, DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

The Aztecs play host to USC and Miami. They are at BYU and UCLA. To be successful, the Aztecs are going to have to adopt a simple policy: Win some big ones.

They are 0-14-1 against UCLA. They have lost three in a row to Miami.

And under Luginbill, they have never defeated BYU.

ISSUE 8: THE POLLS

Perhaps never before has there been this much optimism entering a season. Sports Illustrated ranks SDSU 20th in its preseason poll, for crying out loud.

Deserved? Maybe.

If you want an early clue to the season, here it is:

If the Aztecs blow another four-touchdown lead at BYU on Sept. 10, it’s going to be a long, nasty campaign.