Sept. 30, 2001
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Game No. 5
Eastern Illinois (3-0, 2-0 OVC) at
San Diego State (1-3, 1-1 MWC)
Oct. 6, 2001, 8:05 p.m. PDT
Qualcomm Stadium
Capacity - 54,000
San Diego, Calif.
Television: There is no scheduled television for Saturday's Eastern Illinois at San Diego State game.
Radio: All San Diego State football games can be heard live in southern California on XTRA Sports (690 AM). Jim Stone calls the action with "The Coach", John Kentera, handling the color. Mike Costa provides sideline reports.
The Records: San Diego State enters the game with a 1-3 record (1-1 Mountain West), after falling to Air Force, 45-21, last week at home. Eastern Illinois is a perfect 3-0 (2-0 OVC) on the year and is coming off a 44-33 victory over Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee Tech.
The Rankings: Eastern Illinois was ranked No. 8 in both Sept. 24 1-AA College Football Polls.
SDSU Coach Ted Tollner: Aztec head coach Ted Tollner (Cal Poly '62) is in his eighth season at San Diego State and has compiled a 41-43-0 (.488) record on The Mesa. Tollner's overall career mark stands at 67-63-1 (.515).
EIU Coach Bob Spoo: Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo is in his 15th year with the Panthers. His overall record is 87-75-1 (.583).
The Series: Saturday's game at Qualcomm Stadium will be the first between San Diego State and Eastern Illinois. The Aztecs are 4-2 versus schools hailing from the Land of Lincoln, including 2-1 in Mission Valley. Eastern Illinois is just the second Ohio Valley Conference school the Aztecs have faced and the first since SDSU defeated Tennessee State, 16-8, in 1967.
Week Five
The San Diego State Aztecs, 1-3 on the season and 1-1 in Mountain West Conference play, take a detour from the league wars to face Eastern Illinois Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium. The game will serve as the Aztecs' 2001 Homecoming.
TV Timeout
For only the second time this season, and for what is likely to be the final time this season, the Aztecs will play without the TV lights. There is no television for Saturday's Eastern Illinois game. The Aztecs return to the tube Oct. 13th for an ABC matchup with UNLV.
Saturday Change
Please note that Saturday's start time will be 8:05 p.m. This change is due to the shuffling of the schedule of the San Diego Padres. The Padres-Rockies game will start at 12:05 p.m. at Qualcomm with the SDSU-Eastern Illinois game to follow.
Other Changes
Because of the Major League Baseball-College Football doubleheader, there could be other changes in Mission Valley on Saturday night. The Aztec locker room and Ted Tollner's postgame interview session could be in new locations because of the facility crunch. The media relations staff will forward that information as soon as it becomes available.
And For The Fans
Aztec officials are urging fans to not attempt to arrive at Qualcomm Stadium before 5 p.m. for tailgating to allow time for fans to leave the facility following the baseball game.
Coming Home To San Diego
Eastern Illinois is the 2001 Homecoming opponent for the Aztecs. San Diego State is 41-19-2 all-time in Homecoming contests. However, after winning 11 straight Homecoming games, the Aztecs have dropped their last two in front of the alumni, falling to New Mexico in 1999 (24-21) and Colorado State in 2000 (34-22).
Series Notes
San Diego State and Eastern Illinois are meeting for the first time ever. The Panthers join Ohio State as first-time foes the Aztecs will face this season. San Diego State is 4-2 all-time against schools from Illnois. The Panthers are just the second foe for SDSU from the Ohio Valley. The Aztecs played their first game in Mission Valley against Ohio Valley foe Tennessee State in 1967. San Diego State will be facing a I-AA opponent for the first time since opening the 1999 season with a 41-12 win over South Florida.
The Panthers Quickly
Eastern Illinois enters Saturday's contest at 3-0 after Saturday's 44-33 win over Tennessee Tech. EIU's high-powered offense scored two more points against Tech than did the Air Force Academy. The Panthers average 36 points per game and nearly 400 yards of offense per contest, including 197 passing yards per game. They have reached the 44-point mark twice in three games. Quarterback Tony Romo is completing 74 percent of his passes and has nine touchdown tosses and only two interceptions. Eastern Illinois entered Saturday's game with Tech ranked eighth in both I-AA national polls.
Calming Qualcomm
Traditionally, San Diego State is one of college football's better home teams. However, on Saturday the Aztecs will take a third shot at winning for the first time at the Q this season. In fact, San Diego State's last non-conference win came against I-AA South Florida on Sept. 4, 1999.
Home Turf
In the two losses at Qualcomm Stadium this season, San Diego State has been outgained by a total of just 54 yards. However, the Aztecs have been outscored by a 68-31 count. The culprit, of course, is turnovers. SDSU lost the turnover battle against Air Force, 4-0. Against Arizona, SDSU committed three turnovers to one for the Wildcats for a two-game turnover ratio at Qualcomm of 1-7.
Turnover Trivia
The turnover ratio may be the most important statistic in football. Through four games, San Diego State has allowed 113 points with 31 points coming as the direct result of Aztec turnovers. In the loss to Air Force, the Falcons generated 17 points off of turnovers.
Offensive Progression
Although San Diego State dropped the Air Force contest, the Aztec offense continued to show marked improvement, following up on its strong performance at Colorado State.
The Aztecs were averaging just 195 yards of offense and 8.5 points after the first two games of the season. Over the last two weeks, San Diego State has averaged 386 yards of total offense and 19 points.
SDSU's 204 rushing yards vs. Air Force marked the Aztecs' most productive ground attack since they ran for 246 yards vs. Wyoming on Nov. 27, 1999. San Diego State averaged 6.4 yards per play against Air Force after averaging 3.7 yards per snap through the first three games of the season.
Against the Falcons, San Diego State had four drives that covered at least 60 yards, including scoring drives of 62, 62 and 76 yards.
Instant Replay
The similarities between the 1998 and 2001 seasons are beginning to draw an eerie comparison. Both squads entered the season coming off of sub-.500 seasons (1997: 5-7, 2000: 3-8) and both squads returned a majority of their letterwinners (1998: 31, 2001: 43).
As in 1998, the 2001 Aztecs were scheduled to open the season against two teams from the Pac-10 and a school from the Big Ten.
In 1998, San Diego State opened the season at home against Wisconsin. The Aztecs took a 14-7 lead on a fumble recovery by Jerome Haywood, but Wisconsin scored the last 19 points to win 26-14. In 2001, San Diego State opened the season at home to Arizona. The Aztecs went up 10-0 on a touchdown set-up by a botched punt attempt that resulted in San Diego State getting possession on the Wildcat one-yard line. Arizona scored the last 23 points to win 23-10.
In the second game of the 1998 season, San Diego State went on the road and was defeated at USC 35-6. The Aztecs trailed in all major statistical categories including first downs (25-11), rushing yards (232-137), passing yards (239-94) and total yards (471-231). In the second game of the 2001 season, San Diego State went on the road to Arizona State and was defeated 38-7. The Aztecs trailed in all major statistical categories including first downs (24-11), rushing yards (154-88), passing yards (271-102) and total yards (425-190).
In week three of the 1998 campaign, San Diego State faced a nationally-ranked Arizona team, falling to the Wildcats 35-16. Arizona finished the '98 season with a 12-1 record and a number four national ranking. The Aztecs were scheduled to face 21st-ranked Ohio State in week three before the recent national tragedies resulted in a postponement of that game.
In week four of the 1998 season, the Aztecs went on the road and defeated Tulsa, 24-14. The Aztecs got a big game from Larry Ned, who carried 32 times for 167 yards in the contest. In week four of the 2001 season, Larry Ned rushed 40 times for 177 yards as San Diego State defeated two-time defending league champion Colorado State on the road 14-7.
After opening 0-3 in that 1998 season, the Aztecs rallied to win seven of their last eight regular-season games, winning the WAC Pacific Division title.
Individual Streaks
The Aztecs enter Saturday's game versus Eastern Illinois with the following streaks:
2 - San Diego State running back Larry Ned has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two games. And though that may not sound like much, the Aztecs had gone 13 games with out having a back crack the century mark before Larry Ned busted out for 177 yards last week at Colorado State. Ned was one yard better versus Air Force, totaling 178 on 24 attempts.
18 - Junior receiver J.R. Tolver and senior wideout Derrick Lewis each extended their consecutive games with a reception streak to 18 versus Air Force. Tolver, the Mountain West's leading receiver in conference games a year ago, hauled in five receptions for 127 yards for his most productive outing since catching seven balls for 146 yards versus the Colorado State last season. Lewis had one reception for 14 yards.
38 - Senior defensive tackle Jerome Haywood has started every game of his three-plus year career and enters Saturday's contest versus Eastern Illinois with a string of 38 consecutive starts. Other notable double-digit starting streaks include strong guard David Moreno (15), safety Will Demps (15), cornerback Ricky Sharpe (15), and quarterback Lon Sheriff (13). Linebacker Jomar Butler had his consecutive game starting streak snapped at 12 last weekend due to a strained calf muscle.
Run Larry, Run
Running back Larry Ned showed his 177-yard outburst at Colorado State last week was no fluke. The Doak Walker Award candidate was even more efficient versus Air Force, rushing for 178 yards on 24 carries. Ned's net rushing yards versus the Falcons stands as the most by an Aztec since he rushed for 203 yards on 18 attempts as a sophomore at Utah Oct. 23, 1999 - a span of 18 games.
Notable Ned Numbers
After not having a ball carrier top 100 yards in the previous 13 games, Ned has now cracked the 175-yard plateau twice in as many weeks. It is the first time an Aztec running back has rushed for more than 175 yards in consecutive outings in 62 games. George Jones, who ran for 270 yards on Oct. 14, 1995 versus Fresno State and 253 yards against San Jose State on Oct. 21, 1995, was the last Aztec to turn the trick.
Though San Diego State has played just four games, Ned has already topped his rushing total for all of 2000. Last season, Ned gained 357 yards on 139 attempts. This year, the senior has already galloped for 486 yards on 104 carries.
By virtue of his 355 yards in the last two game, Ned has catapulted to second in the Mountain West Conference in rushing, averaging 121.5 yard per game. That figure ranks 15th nationally.
What A Difference A Year Makes
What does a fully healthy Larry Ned mean to SDSU? After struggling with a knee injury early on and later going down for the year with a season-ending shoulder injury, Larry Ned averaged just 2.6 yards per rush. Now at peak performance and running behind a significantly more experienced line, Ned's production has nearly doubled to 4.7 yards per pop.
He Can Score, Too
Larry Ned notched his eighth career multiple touchdown game versus Air Force, scoring his 25th and 26th career rushing tds during the first quarter. He continues to lead the Aztecs in scoring with 30 points on five scores, while his 7.5 points per game average ranks seventh in the Mountain West.
Ned's March Toward History
San Diego State running back Larry continues his ascent up the charts in the Aztec record book.
Rushing: Ned's 178 yards last week versus Air Force vaulted him past both Chris Hardy and Wayne Pittman into fifth place all-time in career rushing yards. He enters the Eastern Illinois game with 2,499 yards and needs 121 yards to overtake No. 4 Norm Nygaard (2,619 yards from 1952-54) and 345 yards to overtake SDSU's No. 2 all-time rusher, Jonas Lewis (2,843 from 1996-99). Marshall Faulk (1991-93) is San Diego State's career leader in both yards and attempts with 4,589 yards on 766 carries.
Rushing Attempts: With 558 carries, Ned is third all-time at SDSU. He needs 32 attempts to move past No. 2 Jonas Lewis (589).
Scoring: Ned enters the Eastern Illinois game with 156 career points. With 10 more points this season, Ned will move past John Hancock (165 points from 1921-24) into the top 10.
More Chart Watching
Two other Aztecs could move into SDSU's all-time top 10 this season:
Receiver J.R. Tolver needs 33 catches to tie Webster Slaughter (1984-85) at No. 10 on the Aztecs' career reception list at 122.
Lon Sheriff could move into the top 10 in total offense, passing yardage and completions by season's end with a repeat performance of 2000, when he connected on 155-of-290 attempts for 2,163 yards. The junior needs to accumulate 1,959 yards of total offense, 1,745 passing yards, and 124 completions, respectively, to move into SDSU's top 10 in each category.
Boom Ball
Ray Guy Award watch list award candidate Brian Simnjanovski continues to make huge strides as San Diego State's punter. Simnjanovski, who had never punted prior to last season, is averaging 44.8 yards per boot this season to lead the Mountain West Conference and rank second nationally.
The junior may have had his best back-to-back games at Arizona State and Colorado State, averaging 47.4 yards on eight kicks versus the Sun Devils and 46.8 yards on nine punts against the Rams. Of those 17 punts six traveled over 50 yards. He also showed off his increased skill at the discipline, dropping six of the kicks inside the 20-yard-line.
Simnjanovski only had three attempts last week versus Air Force and place two of the three inside the 20.
King Of The Mountain
There is just something about Mountain West Conference play that seems to agree with San Diego State quarterback Lon Sheriff. After opening the season just 16-of-37 passing in a pair of games against Arizona and Arizona State, Sheriff has returned to his old self in conference play, completing 60 percent of his passes (24-for-40) and throwing for 307 yards.
Sheriff, who has now made 13 straight starts behind center, ended his sophomore campaign as the Mountain West's top passer in conference play, averaging 264.4 yards per game. He was also the league champ in total offense, finishing with 1,744 yards.
Mountain Man
If wide receiver J.R. Tolver is catching a lot of balls it must be Mountain West Conference play again. Tolver, who led the MWC in reception in league games last year averaging 6.57 receptions per game, ranks fifth in all games this year. But in SDSU's two Mountain West games, Tolver has hauled in 13 balls for 211 yards, an average of 6.5 receptions and 105.5 yards per game.
After grabbing just five catches in the season's first two games, Tolver got back on track at Colorado State, finishing with eight catches for 84 yards, including a 23-yarder from Lon Sheriff. He was even better versus Air Force, closing the contest with a game-high five receptions for 127 yards, including gains of 30, 33 and 37 yards.
Surfing The Webb
True freshmen rarely get a chance to make an impact, but head coach Ted Tollner knew from early in camp that Jeff Webb was going to be too good to keep on the shelf this season. Though he has yet to crack the Aztecs' starting lineup, Webb had at least two reception in the season's first three games this season and is third on the team in receiving yardage.
Just Where Do You Want Me?
Versatile may be the best word to describe San Diego State's Mike Houghton and Sakimo Randall.
A senior offensive lineman and former walk-on, Houghton continues to show why the Aztec coaching staff considers him to be the squad's most versatile line asset. He entered 2001 with 20 career starts - 13 at tackle and seven at center. The Mission Bay HS product has been on the move once again this season, starting all four of SDSU's games at quick guard. He has now started at least one game at 4-of-5 offensive line positions. The new position apparently agreed with the 6-6, 315-pounder, who graded out above 80 percent in 3-of-4 contests.
Randall's sojourn has been even more dramatic. The senior tight end opened his Aztec career on offense but was moved to defensive tackle during 2000 due to a lack of depth in SDSU's front. He spent the spring of 2001 with the black shirts, but was moved back to the offensive side of the ball when fall camp opened and was the starter at tight end in the opener versus Arizona. Randall was slated to make his second straight start at tight end at ASU but did not make the trip due to the flu.
Rock-Solid Safety
Monster games against Air Force are nothing new for senior safety Will Demps. Demps, who was credited with 18 total tackles last season versus the Falcons, was back at it last week against the Academy, finishing with a career-best 18 stops. He now leads the league in tackles with 45 (11.2 tpg). Demps' 18-stop performance against Air Force was his second double-digit tackle outing this season. Dating to the end of last season, Demps has been the Aztecs' leading tackler over the last six games, averaging 12.7 tackles per game.
Looking Sharpe
Cornerback Ricky Sharpe registered his first double-figure tackle game of the season and just the second of his career last week versus Air Force, making 10 stops versus the Falcons to tie a career high for total tackles. Sharpe also had 10 total tackles last year at Air Force.
Sharpe also may have had his best game of the season in pass coverage. Locked up with Biletnikoff Award candidate Ryan Fleming for most of the evening, the junior recorded a career-best three pass break-ups, while helping the Aztec defense limit the all-MWC receiver to just two receptions.
Butler Continues To Roll
Though he missed the Air Force game with a strained calf muscle, senior linebacker Jomar Butler has shown why he's a member of the Butkus Award watch list. The Aztecs' second-leading tackler in stops per game this season with 8.0, Butler notched his seventh double-digit tackle performance in the last 10 games with a game-high 10 stops at Arizona State, including a tackle for loss. He added six tackles and a pass break up at Colorado State as the Aztec defense forced 10 Ram punts.
Gambling On Donte
Kick return specialist Donte Gamble may fly by the seat of his pants, but the senior has energized SDSU's kick return unit this season. Gamble, who had just five kick off returns in 2000, is averaging 21.5 yards per return this season to rank sixth in the Mountain West. Against Air Force, Gamble had six returns for 125 yards, including a career-long of 38-yard return on the game's opening kickoff.