AZTECS UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Morrison, Smith Out for New Mexico Game

SAN DIEGO — The Aztec defense, already ranked 106th in the nation, will be more handicapped than usual Saturday at New Mexico because two starting defensive linemen will not play.

Tyrone Morrison, who sprained his left knee in practice Tuesday, and Turaj Smith, who sprained his left ankle Saturday against UCLA, have both been ruled out by trainer Brian Barry.

Morrison’s injury is severe enough that he was scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging test Wednesday night. Barry said he will learn the results today.

“We were without Tyrone the whole Brigham Young game,” said Coach Al Luginbill, referring to the groin injury that sidelines Morrison for that game. “And we were without Turaj the whole UCLA game (because of the ankle sprain). We’ve never been healthy there, so this is nothing new.”

Jamal Duff, Sebastian and George Glaze and Ramondo Stallings will get more turns, and Steve Matuszewicz and Roger Blake have been moved into the rotation.

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There is no guarantee that SDSU will be able to snap the ball correctly this week, but new center Joe Heinz said he feels much better about things.

Heinz will move from guard to center Saturday for the Aztecs in place of injured regular Mike Alexander.

“I don’t mind,” Heinz said. “Wherever I have to play is where I have to play. I’m getting the hang of it. I think I’ll be ready for Saturday.”

Heinz said he likes guard better, and who can blame him after Saturday’s UCLA game? Heinz was forced to move to center in the first quarter because of Alexander’s injury and the Aztecs subsequently fumbled two snaps.

Of course, Heinz had only played center for one series in one preseason scrimmage before Saturday. He has put more work into it this week.

“Right now we’re in practice so I can feel as comfortable as I want,” Heinz said. “I’m taking snaps, doing run blocking. I think I’ll be ready to go.”

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In commemoration of this week’s SDSU-New Mexico game, we bring up a highlight from the past. It is from the 1989 New Mexico football media guide and it is from the biography of former Lobo All-American Terance Mathis:

“If Terance passes a couple of classes this summer, he’ll be eligible for his senior season.”

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Friday marks another point in the 1992 recruiting season--it is the first time coaches can attend high school games.

Luginbill on this year’s senior class in San Diego: “There are not the numbers in San Diego County this year as in the past. Not even close. There are certain prospects.

“In the line, there is not much here. But I think there are some skilled athletes and quarterbacks to look at.”

NCAA rules do not allow coaches to discuss specific players until recruiting is finished in February.

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Luginbill said the three best offensive lines the Aztecs will face this season are the three they just finished playing: USC, Brigham Young and UCLA. . . . With H-back Will Tate out with a hamstring injury, Larry Maxey becomes the second-team H-back, backing up Ray Peterson, and DeAndre Maxwell becomes the back-up flanker to Keith Williams.