Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, September 24, 1999
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San Diego State Kansas combat similar problems
By Michael Rigg sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
On paper, the similarities stick out between the Kansas Jayhawks and their opponent tomorrow, the San Diego State Aztecs.
Like Kansas, San Diego State has had trouble winning on the road. Like the Javhawks, the
Aztes are in the midst of a quarterback controversy, with a junior college transfer battling an incumbent starter for the top job. Also like their opponents, the Aztes' only victory this season has been against a Division LAA
Gbqa-Jia-Bamila: All American prospect for Aztecs
onponent. South Florida.
Regardless of these similarities, the two teams never have played an intercollegiate football game against each other. While Kansas plays in the highly regarded Big 12 Conference, San Diego State plays in the new Mountain West Conference, a conference that consists of teams that disbanded from the Western Athletic Conference.
Despite the lack of a history between the two schools, Kansas coach Terry Allen said that he liked what he saw in the Aztecs.
"They're a very good team," Allen said. "They have an exceptional defense and a great defensive line."
The strength of the Aztecs lies in their defense, which was ranked No. 26 in the nation after a 24-21 loss to 16th-ranked Southern California last week. The Aztecs feature two All-American prospects, defensive lineman Kabeer Gbaja-Biama and safety
Rico Curtis. San Diego State coach Ted Tollner said both players were keys to a successful season.
"Kabeer has a quick tenacity to go along with his quickness and athleticism," Tollner said. "Also, Rico has made the commitment to be the best he can be."
Offensively, San Diego State is in much worse shape, ranking 88th in the nation and averaging 307 vards per game.
"We have to get the ball down field more," Tollner said. "It starts with the quarterback."
Tollner switched to junior college transfer Jack Hawley at quarterback against USC after incumbent Brian Russell faltered in the Aztecs' first two games. While Russell completed 19 of 42 passes for 215 yards, Hawley threw four interceptions last week. Despite Hawley's performance against the Trojans, Tollner still has hope for his young quarterback.
"It's development that's the key," Tollner said. "What Jack did is not unexpected in your first start. It's something every quarterback has to go through."
At running back, the Aztecs will switch snaps between Jonas Lewis and Larry Ned, who will carry the majority of the San Diego State offense. Although Tollner said he would like the Aztecs to pass as much as they run, he said this was not possible given the quarterback situation.
"If you want to throw the ball as much as we do, you have to develop the quarterback position, which we have not done." Tollner said.
Another thing the Aztecs have not done is win non-conference games outside of southern California. San Diego State's last non-conference road victory was in 1991 when the Aztecs defeated both UNLV and Oklahoma State.
The Aztecs could break that streak 6 p.m. tomorrow at Memorial Stadium.
—Edited by Ronnie Wochter
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