October 7, 2007

AZTECS REPORT
Long preaches patience

By Mick McGrane
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – While Chuck Long professes to have no gripe with those who would otherwise welcome the elimination of San Diego State football, acknowledging that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, the Aztecs' head coach has some views of his own.

During a week in which he repeatedly fielded questions about criticism by some faculty members that football represents a revenue loss to the school and the athletic department, Long preached patience for a program confident of cheating the fate met by the likes of Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge.

“We're an easy target because we aren't winning,” said Long, whose career record improved to 5-12 with yesterday's win at Colorado State. “I think people are too quick to judge. At times, you feel like the past woes and frustrations of previous years are being taken out on us, and that's not right.

“We have a new staff here, a new beginning to the program and great facilities. I wouldn't have come here without the support of our president (Dr. Stephen Weber). I wasn't going to go to a place that was thinking about getting rid of football. Obviously, it wouldn't have been a smart career move. I was happy where I was at Oklahoma. I came here because of the support that the president and the athletic director (Jeff Schemmel) had for the program and the support the school had for the program.

Cut off at pass

SDSU will welcome any positive news where its pass defense is concerned.

Sophomore cornerback Aaron Moore's second interception of the season, which choked off a Colorado State scoring drive late in the first quarter, gave SDSU seven interceptions in its past three games.

The Aztecs, who came into the contest ranked No. 15 in the country in interceptions per game, have nine interceptions this year, tying their season total of last year.

SDSU had been ranked 118th in pass defense among the nation's 119 major college teams.

Extra points

The victory marked the first time that SDSU had overcome any second-half deficit to win a road game since a visit to Air Force on Nov. 23, 2002. In that game, the Aztecs trailed by 11 before rallying for a 38-34 victory.

Senior Brett Swain, who entered the game ranked No. 12 in the country in receiving yards per game (98.5), finished with four catches for 111 yards.

Senior running back Brandon Bornes had touched the ball 255 consecutive times without fumbling before coughing it up in the third quarter. He had fumbled only once in his past 28 games.