AZTECS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Morrison Hopes to Get Back on Track This Month

First there was the groin strain. Then, arthroscopic knee surgery.

Now, Ty Morrison, one of San Diego State’s starting defensive linemen, suffers through rehabilitation and hopes he can return by Oct. 31, when the Aztecs play Colorado State.

Morrison has been bothered by nagging injuries throughout his two-year SDSU career and, after playing well in the opener against USC (five tackles, one sack), hoped his career was back on track.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Morrison, who was so upset with the knee injury that he refused to talk about it for several days afterward. “I though I was off to a pretty good start this year, but these nagging injuries. . . .”

Morrison underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and started rehabilitation Sunday. He suffered the groin strain against Brigham Young, then injured his knee in a practice last week.

“I’ll get over it,” he said. “It’s just a little adversity I’ve got to overcome. I guess it’s all part of the package. I think everybody has their share.”

Th 6-feet-3, 255-pound junior said teammates have helped his disposition, as has taking a look at the rest of the college football world.

“I started looking at the whole picture, not only myself,” Morrison said. “I looked at Rusty Medearis (Miami’s top defensive lineman who blew his knee out a couple of weeks ago) and others around the country, and they’ve had their share. It’s not just me.

“At first, it was, ‘Why me?’ Then you get not as selfish.”

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Coach Al Luginbill said he hopes to have defensive end Turaj Smith (sprained ankle) and center Mike Alexander (sprained ankle) back in time for SDSU’s next game, at home against Texas El Paso on Oct. 17.

Morrison and receiver Jake Nyberg (hip) are doubtful.

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Former Aztec quarterback Dan McGwire will get his chance with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Seahawk quarterback Kelly Stouffer’s dislocated shoulder is expected to keep him out at least four weeks. McGwire can only hope things go better than they did for him in Sunday’s 17-6 loss to the Chargers, when he completed 12 of 21 passes for 70 yards and three interceptions.