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| Monday, August 13 Updated: August 14, 9:37 AM ET No more excuses for Tollner, Aztecs By Ed Graney Special to ESPN.com |
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San Diego State Aztecs 2000 record: 3-8 (3-4). Coach: Ted Tollner (8th season, 40-40). Starters returning: 9 offense, 8 defense, 1 kicker. Outlook: Much of the offseason talk surrounded Tollner assuming all play-calling responsibilities from offensive coordinator Dave Lay. But more than imagination, the Aztecs lacked healthy bodies offensively last season. They lost three starting linemen, their quarterback and top running back before the third game. Now healthy on all fronts and junior quarterback Lon Sheriff the recipient of nine starts, scoring should come much easier. A talented second-year defensive coordinator (Ken Delgado) needs to find better play from one cornerback spot and more speed at free safety, but the Aztecs have enough here to rank among the league's best in all categories. It is potentially a Top 30 defense nationally. Special teams was a disaster when returning and covering kicks last season (it could be again if not coached better), but SDSU has the league's best punter in junior Brian Simnjanovski and a new kicker in junior-college transfer Tommy Kirovski. Keep an eye on: Senior running back Larry Ned. The league's best back when healthy played in just six games last season, but appeared recovered from shoulder and knee injuries this spring. Ned has career numbers of 2,013 yards and 21 touchdowns, most gained while splitting time with others. A former partial qualifier, he earned this extra season of eligibility by graduating in four years. Now, he is SDSU's best chance at improving a dismal rushing average of 73.1 yards in conference play last season. Key game: The CSU game is critical for the league race, but none might define SDSU more than its Aug. 30 season-opener against visiting Arizona. Opportunity presents itself against a Wildcats team picked by many to finish last in the Pac-10. The Aztecs, 4-16 under Tollner against teams from BCS leagues, need to start winning these games. Desperately so. It's a good year if... SDSU has just its second winning record in five years and advances to its third bowl since 1991. We've heard the song before. Over and over again. SDSU is at never at a loss for high expectations and gifted players, but cashing in on either has been impossible of late. Tollner's job status (another losing season would likely spell the end of his tenure) adds intrigue, but the bottom line is all the returning players and the fact Ned is healthy again should equal success. Translation: No excuses will -- or should -- save SDSU if it comes up short again. Ed Graney covers college football for the San Diego Union Tribune. |
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