By Ryan Hope
The BYU football team will try to end its three-game losing streak when it faces San Diego State Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars are 3-5 overall and 0-3 in Mountain West Conference play.
San Diego State enters the game 3-5 overall and enjoying a three-game winning streak, after dropping its first five games of the season.
At 3-0 in conference play, San Diego State is in good position to compete for the MWC title.
The Aztecs are led by one of the top receiving corps in the nation.
Senior J.R. Tolver is the nation''s leading receiver after recording 79 receptions for 1216 yards through eight games this season.
Tolver is joined at receiver by senior Kassim Osgood, who is currently seventh in the nation with 65 receptions for 924 yards.
'It''s a big challenge for us as a defense and as defensive backs to play against two of the best receivers in the nation,' junior cornerback Chad Barney said. ' Coach Mitchell told us these guys have NFL potential.'
Junior quarterback Adam Hall has completed more than 60 percent of his passes for 2,752 yards and 15 touchdowns.
'As the season has gone on, they''ve gotten better rhythm and the QB has become more confident,' head coach Gary Crowton said. 'They''re playing their best football that they''ve played in a long time.'
The Aztec defense has given up nearly 30 points a game, which has led to several of the team''s losses.
Sophomore linebacker Kirk Morrison is the Aztecs'' leading tackler, and senior cornerback Ricky Sharpe is the team''s top pass defender.
The Cougars are looking for better offensive production against the Aztecs. In BYU''s last three games the offense has scored a total of 22 combined points.
Crowton believes redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Berry is ready to take on more of the offensive load.
'I just feel like we''re going to give him a little more responsibility and open things up a little,' Crowton said. 'Hopefully that will help us score more points.'
Berry has completed more than 60 percent of his passes. Most of Berry''s completions have come in the five to 25-yard range.
Junior Bret Engemann and freshman Lance Pendleton, backups to Berry at quarterback, have been slowed by injuries, leaving sophomore Todd Mortensen as Berry''s backup against San Diego State.
Defensively, the Cougars have made some changes to try to get the best 11 players on the field at a time.
Junior Paul Walkenhorst, BYU''s leading tackler with 79 tackles, is moving from middle linebacker to strongside linebacker.
Junior Mike Tanner will take Walkenhorst''s place in the middle, and junior Levi Madarieta is moving from strongside to weakside linebacker where he will rotate with junior Colby Bockwoldt.
'I feel Mike Tanner is earning his spot,' Crowton said. 'Every time he gets in there he''s done some good things.'
Walkenhorst played strongside linebacker last season and Madarieta moved from free safety where he played last season.
The cornerback position, which will be tested against San Diego State, remains beaten up and thin in depth.
Senior Mike Sumko and junior Jernaro Gilford are out for the season with injuries, and sophomore James Allen is still hobbled with a sprained ankle.
'We''re getting thin at corner,' Barney said. 'Hopefully we don''t get any more injuries.'