By Stephenson Beck
Things haven’t gone the Aztecs way this year.
San Diego State comes into the game Oct. 21 with a 1-5 record.
The Aztecs have lost five starters to injury this year including quarterback Jack Hawley. Hawley’s injury has a lot to do with the Aztecs scoring in the single digits in four of their six games this season.
And they are tired. San Diego is on their fourth road trip in five games.
“Things happen that a lot of the time you don’t have any control over,” said head coach LaVell Edwards. “They’re a lot closer than what the record would indicate right now.”
BYU leads the series against San Diego State 18-5-1, including an 11-1 record vs. the Aztecs at Cougar Stadium.
San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner, a former BYU assistant coach, is 0-4 against Edwards and the Cougars.
With all of the talk about BYU’s domination in the rivalry and San Diego State’s struggles, the Cougars can not afford to take this game lightly, said quarterback Charlie Peterson.
“They are hungry,” Peterson said. “Anytime you face a team with their backs up against the wall, they will come out fighting.”
Despite a difficult starting schedule and injuries, the Aztec defense is ranked no. 35 nationally and is holding opponents to 22 points a game.
“I’m sure the Aztecs are a little bit frustrated, but they’re playing exceptionally well on defense,” Edwards said.
The Cougars will counter with an offense that tied a season high with 38 points against Utah State their last time out. BYU also has the luxury of a bye week.
The 3-4 Cougars will finish the season with five straight conference games. Peterson said he believes that if the offense can score 21 points each game, BYU will sweep the rest of the season.
“If our offense can get 21 points or more, our defense can hold them. I think 21 is even too little for us,” Peterson said. “I think we’re explosive enough that we can move the chains and put points on the board.”
That goal is right where it needs to be, said linebacker Isaac Kelley.
“I think both (offense and defense) are very capable of doing that every game from here on out,” Kelley said. “We just need to stay mentally there and work our butts off.”
BYU and San Diego State are two of five teams in the Mountain West Conference that have only one loss. Colorado State is the only undefeated team in the conference.
“We’re now into the conference race and the games are all big and very important,” Edwards said.
Saturday’s Homecoming game kicks off at 1 p.m.
