Nov. 4, 2001
Game No. 10San Diego State (2-7, 1-4 MWC) at
Utah (6-2, 3-1 MWC)
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Nov. 10, 2001 - Noon PST
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Capacity - 54,000
Salt Lake City, Utah
Television: There is no scheduled television coverage of the San Diego State at Utah game. It is just the third time this season that an Aztec game will not be televised live in San Diego.
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 2-7 (1-4 MWC) record after falling to New Mexico, 20-15, at home, Nov. 3. Utah is coming off a 42-14 victory at UNLV. The Utes are 6-2 (3-1 MWC).
The Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
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 42-47-0 (.472) record on The Mesa. Tollner's overall career mark stands at 68-67-1 (.504).
Utah Coach Ron McBride: Utah head coach Ron McBride is in his 12th season at the helm of the Ute football program. His overall record at Utah is 81-55 (.596).
The Series: San Diego State holds a slim 10-9-1 edge in the all-time series. The Aztecs are 4-5 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but have not won in Salt Lake City since a 24-21 victory in 1995.
Week Ten
The San Diego State Aztecs take to the road for the final time in 2001 when they head to Utah to meet the Utes in a Saturday afternoon contest. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Mountain (noon Pacific). San Diego State enters the game at 2-7 overall and 1-4 in Mountain West play. The Utes, coming off a victory at UNLV, are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in league play.
TV Timeout
The game at Utah will not be televised. The contest marks just the third time this season San Diego State has played without the cameras with the other non-TV games coming against Arizona State and Eastern Illinois.
The Aztecs Quickly
San Diego State will enter the Utah contest having dropped three straight games overall and four in a row in league play. San Diego State opened Mountain West play with a win at Colorado State (14-7). The Aztecs last lost three in a row overall when they opened the 2000 season at 0-4. The four-game conference losing streak is the longest for SDSU since the Aztecs closed 1993 with four straight WAC defeats.
The Runner-Up
San Diego State's Larry Ned enters the Utah contest second nationally in rushing with an average of 140.1 yards per game. For the season, Ned has accumulated 1,261 rushing yards, already the best by anyone in the three-year-old conference. His single-season rushing total is already fifth-best by an Aztec, trailing George Jones and the three seasons registered by Marshall Faulk.
Ned And The Utes
Last year in a defensive battle, a banged-up Larry Ned rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown on 26 tough carries. His longest run from scrimmage was nine yards. In 1999 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Ned broke loose for 203 yards on just 18 carries. It was the best game of his career at that point and represented his lone 200-yard game prior to this season.
New Mexico Recap
The short field was too much for the Aztecs to overcome in the 20-15 loss to the Lobos. New Mexico covered a total of 66 yards to produce 13 of its 20 points. The Lobos became the fourth opponent this season (and the second conference foe) to be held under 300 yards of total offense by the SDSU defense. The opportunistic visitors took advantage of a blocked punt for three points, a fumbled punt return for three points (in the game's final minutes) and New Mexico used a short field for a 49-yard scoring drive.
Back On The Road
San Diego State returns to the road for the Utah game. Entering its final road contest of the conference season, the Aztecs are 6-3 in Mountain West Conference road games. The six victories are tied for third best in the league behind only Brigham Young (8-2), which could be heading for its first Mountain West title, and Colorado State (7-3), which won the first two Mountain West crowns.
Turnover Talk
* Across America, college football coaches insist that turnover-margin is the most important stat when tracking a team's successes or failures. In 2001, SDSU is an obvious example. The following is a quick look at San Diego State's turnover margin this season.
* If I-AA Eastern Illinois is thrown out of the equation, the Aztecs are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle, 1-1 when turnovers are even and 0-1 when they win the turnover battle thanks to the mirage in Las Vegas when SDSU was out of the contest early. Officially SDSU won the turnover battle, however a case can be made for hidden turnovers. SDSU had a punt blocked that set up a score and another punt was returned for a score on the last play of the first half. Although the stat crew in the press box will not credit a turnover on those special-teams plays, most coaching staffs would not hesitate. The same case could be made for New Mexico when a blocked punt led to three points and three more points came via the turnover.
Turnover Tales, II
The Aztecs enter the 10th week of the season minus-15 in turnover margin with 10 takeaways and 25 giveaways. Twelve of the 25 turnovers have been turned into 76 points for the opposition for an average of 7.6 points per contest.
Defensive Stand
Despite the turnover ratio, the San Diego State defense put the Aztecs in position to win their share of contests. Against New Mexico, SDSU recorded a season-high six quarterback sacks and the Lobos' lone second-half points came on a field goal following a drive of 19 yards.
The Bounce Of The Ball
San Diego State ranks 113th of 115 Division I programs in turnover ration and at least a share of those numbers can be attributed to bad luck. SDSU has fumbled the ball just four more times than its opposition. However, SDSU is minus-nine in fumbles lost this season. The opposition has fumbled 16 times but the Aztecs have recovered just three. New Mexico fumbled three times and recovered all of its own miscues. The Aztecs fumbled once and lost the ball in the game's final minutes when trailing by just two points.
The Series
San Diego State leads the series with Utah, 10-9-1 with the first meeting between the squads taking place in 1978. The Utes are 2-0 vs. San Diego State in Mountain West play and Utah is one of two schools (Air Force) that the Aztecs have not beaten since joining the MWC. Over the last 10 meetings, dating back to 1988, the series is even at 5-5. The Aztecs are 4-5 all-time in Salt Lake City. Thirteen of the 19 games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
Last Year At The Q
Utah used the big play, including scoring plays of 74 and 69 yards, to win the defensive struggle. The opening Ute drive resulted in a 74-yard touchdown when Darnell Arceneaux found Steve Smith on third down. The biggest play, however, came late when the Utes were backed up and nursing a 14-7 lead. On a third down, Smith caught a 69-yard scoring pass to clinch the 21-7 win.
Strike A Pose
There's no poster of him hanging in time square and he doesn't have a CD-ROM, but the nation's most efficient running back just may be San Diego San Diego State's Larry Ned. And though the senior will not receive any serious Heisman Trophy consideration, he is - at least statistically - one of the nation's top two running backs. * Ned, who is now averaging 140.11 yards per game, ranks second in the nation in rushing.
* He has cracked 100 yards on the ground in five of the last seven games and with 93 yards versus New Mexico was just seven yards shy of making it six out of seven.
* Ned has two of the 10 best single-game rushing performances of the 2001 season, gaining 239 yards against BYU and 285 yards versus Eastern Illinois. Ned's performance versus the Cougars was the most rushing yards given up by BYU since Marshall Faulk ran for 262 yards on Nov. 11, 1993. His performance against EIU ranks as the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in SDSU history.
A Season In Seven Games
* San Diego State has had only 13 1,000-yard single-season rushing performances in its history. Ned, who enters the Utah game with 1,261 yards, has rushed for 1,130 yards - an average of 161.43 yards per game - in the last seven games. The senior has also scored 10 touchdowns over that span, with four multiple touchdown games.
Historically Speaking
* Ned eclipsed both the 3,000-yard career mark and the 1,000-yard single season mark with his 239 yards against BYU. Including his 93-yard outing against New Mexico, the senior has now rushed for 3,274 yards in his career, including 1,261 yards this season. With Marshall Faulk (4,589 from 1991-93), he is just the second back in SDSU history to crack 3,000 yards in career rushing.
* His 2001 season rushing total of 1,261 yards ranks as the fifth-best in SDSU History. Though George Jones' single-season record of 1,842 yards set in 1995 is likely out of reach, Ned is on pace to jump into SDSU's top three.
* Ned's current rushing total already ranks as the top single-season rushing performance in the brief three-year existence of the Mountain West Conference.
* With 242 carries this year, Ned enters the Utah game ranked fifth on San Diego State's single-season chart for rushing attempts.
Elite Company
Though San Diego State has played just nine games, Larry Ned has already posted the best single-season of his career. Ned joined an elite class in San Diego State history last week versus BYU, becoming just the 10th back in Aztec history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. It is the 13th 1,000-yard season in Aztec history and the first since Jonas Lewis gained 1,021 in 1997.
What A Difference A Year Makes
Despite practicing just once in the past two weeks due to a high ankle sprain, Ned continues to be SDSU's work horse, rushing 62 times for 332 yards - an average of 5.4 yards per carry - over the past two games. For the season, he is averaging 5.2 yards per rush. By comparison, Ned was never 100 percent a year ago, struggling with a knee injury early on and later going down for the year with a season-ending shoulder injury. He ended the 2000 campaign with just 357 yards on 139 attempts, an average of 2.6 yards per rush.
He Can Score, Too
* Ned recorded the ninth multiple touchdown game of his career and his fourth this season against Brigham Young. He has found pay dirt 11 times this season and 32 times during his career, including runs of one and 23 yards versus the Cougars.
* Earlier this season, Ned found the endzone a career-high three times in a game (Eastern Illinois). His other multiple touchdown games include Colorado State (2) and Air Force (2).
* San Diego State's leading scorer, the senior has now recorded 66 points on the season - 46 percent of the Aztecs' 143 points.
* Ned enters the Utah game ranked third in the MWC and 50th nationally in scoring with 7.33 ppg.
* Ned has had at least one rushing touchdown in 6-of-9 games this season and 21-of-35 games in his career. He also has nine games with at least two touchdowns.
* In the SDSU records book, Ned is in sole possession of eighth place in scoring with 192 points.
Tolver Eyeing Top 10, Too
J.R. Tolver could move into SDSU's all-time top 10 in receptions this week at Utah.
* With 118 career receptions, wide receiver J.R. Tolver needs just four catches to tie Webster Slaughter (1984-85) at No. 10 on the Aztecs' career reception list with 122.
Up, Up and Away
* Though he failed to make the final list for the 2001 Ray Guy award, Brian Simnjanovski continues to make huge strides as San Diego State's punter. Simnjanovski, who had never punted prior to last season, is averaging 44.1 yards per boot this season to lead the Mountain West Conference and rank 11th nationally.
* Simnjanovski's 44.1 yards per punt average is on pace to rank as the third-best single-season average in SDSU history. Noel Prefontaine, who averaged 46.5 yards per punt during the 1996 campaign, is the current record holder.
* Though he had his lowest single-game average of the season against New Mexico - 40.8 yards on nine kicks - much of it had to do with field position. The junior walk-on made the most of his short-field opportunities, pinning the Lobos inside the 20-yard-line four times, including killing a fourth quarter punt at the eight that set up a safety by the Aztec defense.
* Simnjanovski, who has averaged at least 45.0 yards per punt in four games this season and has 10 boots over 50 yards, averaged 45.8 yards on five punts against BYU, including a 53-yarder. The junior also dropped a pair of kicks inside the 20-yard-line.
* At Ohio State, Simnjanovski averaging 45.0 yards on four punts. He had one punt downed at the Ohio State 12.
* At UNLV, Simnjanovski averaged 43.7 yards on seven punts, including a 57 yarder, and killed a pair inside the 20-yard line.
* The junior also had solid outings earlier this season 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.
* For the season, the Escondido product has killed 18 kicks inside the 20-yard-line, including six inside the opposition's 10.
Kirovski Kicks
Junior place-kicker Tommy Kirovski notched his third multiple field goal game of the season against New Mexico, booting a career-long 42-yarder during the second quarter and adding a 36-yarder in the third. Kirovski has now connected on 8-of-11 attempts this season to rank third in the MWC in field goal percentage.
Iron Man
Defensive tackle Jerome Haywood may be small in stature but he plays with a big heart. The senior, who has started every game of his three-plus year career, made his 43rd consecutive start last week versus New Mexico, finishing with five tackles, including a sack of UNM quarterback Casey Kelly for a safety. Haywood had his best statistical game of the season at UNLV, racking up nine tackles, including five solo stops.
More Streaking
In addition to Haywood, three other Aztecs extended double-digit starting streaks last week against the Lobos, including strong guard David Moreno (20 games), safety Will Demps (20 games), cornerback Ricky Sharpe (19 games), quick tackle Chester Pitts (12 games), wide receiver J.R. Tolver (11 games) and strong tackle Brendan Darby (11 games).
23 And Counting
Junior receiver J.R. Tolver and senior wideout Derrick Lewis each extended their consecutive games with a reception streak to 23 last week versus the Cougars. Tolver notched his second straight game with six receptions and totaled a game-high 79 yards. Lewis finished up with a season-high six grabs for a season-best 75 yards.
Marked Man
* Despite being SDSU's lone true pass-catching threat this season, J.R. Tolver continues to be the Mountain West Conference's most consistent receiver. After leading the league in reception in league games last year, averaging 6.57 receptions per contest, Tolver is right back near the top of the charts once again.
* San Diego State's leading receiver, Tolver has hauled in 47 balls for 643 yards - an average of 71.4 yards per game.
* Those numbers account for over 40 percent of SDSU's total aerial yardage and 35 percent of the Aztecs' total number of receptions. They are also more than double those of the Aztecs' next leading receiver, Derrick Lewis (24 catches for 305 yards).
* Tolver also owns SDSU's longest pass reception of the season, a 45-yarder versus Eastern Illinois.
Tolver In the Rankings
* Tolver is the MWC's No. 6 receiver in yards per game (71.4) and No. 3 pass catcher in terms of receptions per game (5.2). Those figures rank 50th and 45th nationally.
Gray Matters
* H-Back Gray McNeill may have had just one reception last week versus New Mexico, but he made it count, hauling in a four-yard first-quarter touchdown pass from Lon Sheriff. It was his second td catch in as many weeks and the fifth of his career.
* The previous week versus BYU, McNeill tied a season high with five receptions.
* McNeill, who also had five catches in the season opener versus Arizona, has now caught at least one pass in 18 of his last 21 games. He enters the Utah game ranked third on the team in receptions (16) and fourth in receiving yards per game (19.4).
Rock-Solid Safety
Preseason all-Mountain West safety Will Demps continues to lead the Aztec secondary.
* Demps, who leads the Aztecs with 77 tackles, ranks sixth in the league in stops (8.6 tpg). He has finished as SDSU's leading tackler in 4-of-9 games this year.
* The senior strong safety has registered three double-digit tackle performances this season, including a season-high 18 versus Air Force and 11 against both Arizona and Ohio State. Over the past two seasons, he has registered seven double-figure tackle games.
* Though he had only four total tackles against New Mexico, Demps had perhaps his most active game of the season in pass defense, grabbing his second interception of the season and recording two pass break-ups.
Can't Keep This Good Man Down
* Preseason Butkus Award watch list member Jomar Butler may be struggling with injuries this season, but that still hasn't kept the senior from making his presence felt on the field.
* Butler, who missed the Air Force game and large portions of the UNLV contest, ranks second on the team in tackles with 57.
* The senior has notched two double-digit tackle performance on the season, including 10 at Ohio State. He added a game-high nine tackles against New Mexico and now ranks 11th in the league in tackles with 7.1 stops per game.
* The senior is also third on the team in tackles for loss (7) and tied for second in sacks (3).
* Butler has led the Aztecs in total tackles three times this season, recording seven against Eastern Illinois and 10 at Arizona State to go with his nine-tackle last week versus the Lobos. He has registered eight double-digit tackle performances in his last 14 starts.
Behind Enemy Lines
Senior Dylan Robles may not talk much, but he carries a big stick and is quietly having an strong season from his outside linebacker position.
* Robles ranks fourth on the team and with 46 total tackles.
* The Poway product also leads the Aztecs in tackles for loss (9) and sacks (4). His tackles for loss total ranks 10th in the Mountain West Conference.
Getting More From Morrison
* Redshirt freshman linebacker Kirk Morrison has been an active part of the SDSU defense since taking over for injured starter Beau Tricky following the Air Force game.
* Morrison had his break-out in his second start at UNLV, recording a game-high 12 tackles. He came back the following week to record his second double-digit tackle performance in as many weeks with 10 stops, including a pair of sacks, at Ohio State.
* Including his seven-tackle performance against New Mexico, Morrison now ranks fifth on the team in tackles with 45, 40 of which have come in the last five games - an average of 8.0 tackles per game.
Looking Sharpe
* Ricky Sharpe is making a strong bid for all-conference honors at the cornerback position. Entering the Utah game, the junior ranks fourth in the Mountain West in passes defended with 10, including a pair last week versus New Mexico, and two other games with three break-ups. Sharpe's lone interception on the season came in the fourth quarter versus Eastern Illinois.
* Sharpe registered his first double-figure tackle game of the season and just the second of his career against Air Force, making 10 stops versus the Falcons to tie a career high for total tackles.