Donahue Insists San Diego State Is Not a Tuneup

UCLA players overheard talking in recent weeks about the Bruins’ showdown next Saturday against No. 2-ranked Nebraska have felt the wrath of Coach Terry Donahue.

Donahue, of course, doesn’t want his players looking past tonight’s season opener against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl.

Donahue and his staff, however, have had Nebraska on their minds for months.

Tonight’s game, originally scheduled for Sept. 24, was moved up to give the Bruins a better chance to beat the Cornhuskers--at a cost to the athletic department of about $40,000 to house and feed the players for an extra week, Athletic Director Peter Dalis said.

“We just thought it was an impossible situation to have to open the season against Nebraska and for us to be their third game and for them to be our first game,” Donahue said. “I just didn’t think we’d have a prayer to beat them.”

There are those who don’t give a prayer to San Diego State. The Aztecs, who have never beaten UCLA, were 5-7 last season and ranked 98th among the nation’s 104 Division I schools in total defense.

San Diego State lost to the Bruins last season, 47-14, running its record against UCLA to 0-10-1 overall and 0-4 since the series resumed in 1984 after a 50-year hiatus.

Donahue, though, said it would be wrong to dismiss the Aztecs.

“I think knowledgeable football people know that San Diego State is capable of beating UCLA,” he said. “Did you see the Holiday Bowl a couple of years ago? Iowa--a Big Ten school, great tradition--and San Diego had them beat. (San Diego) lost on the last play of the game.”

Still, Donahue is not unaware of the public’s perception of this game, and of the Bruins’ game two weeks hence against Cal State Long Beach.

“Naturally, people put you in a position that it’s an automatic win,” he said.

Why do the No. 5-ranked Bruins put themselves into such a situation by scheduling games like this?

“The university, several years ago, made a decision that, economically, this series would be very advantageous to both schools,” Donahue said. “It made more economic sense to play San Diego State than it did to fly to Missouri to play Missouri, as an example.”

Would Donahue rather not play the Aztecs?

“Not necessarily,” he said. “I think the series has been very competitive. We’ve had some exciting games.

“Even though we’re in a little bit of a can’t-win situation, I like the series. I think the benefits of playing a San Diego State outweigh the fact that you’re darned if you do and darned if you don’t.

“We’re going to make more money, we’re going to have more people in our stadium. We can give San Diego or Long Beach a nice purse. We can make a nice purse. It’s a good payday for both schools.”

And, in the Bruins’ case, a good tuneup for Nebraska.

At least they hope.

Donahue describes San Diego State as a dangerous opponent because of its explosiveness and because it has quality players in the skill positions.

Last season--led by quarterback Todd Santos, the most prolific passer in National Collegiate Athletic Assn. history--the Aztecs ranked No. 2 in the nation in passing and No. 10 in total offense.

Santos is gone, replaced by junior Brad Platt, but back are the Aztecs’ top four rushers and top five receivers from last season, including running back Paul Hewitt, who rushed for 1,001 yards, caught 42 passes and led the nation with 24 touchdowns.

Coach Denny Stolz has put assistant Ed Schmidt, whose previous responsibility was the offensive line, in charge of rebuilding a defense that gave up 434 yards a game last season, including 514 against UCLA, which was only the fourth-highest total racked up by an Aztec opponent.

Only three defensive players who started against UCLA last season will start tonight.

“Although we aren’t very experienced defensively, I think we have more talent on our defensive team and I expect that we would be better,” Stolz said. “I just think we’re a lot more enthusiastic and a lot more physical.”

Also, possibly, in over their heads against UCLA.

“We haven’t played very well against them, but we enjoy playing against them,” Stolz said. “And, hopefully, we’ll be a little more competitive this year.”

Bruin Notes

Tonight’s game will be televised live on Prime Ticket. On radio, because of a conflict with the Angels’ game against the Boston Red Sox, it will be broadcast on KRTH (930 AM) instead of KMPC. . . . UCLA tailback Brian Brown will not play, and cornerback Kelton Alexander and free safety Mark McGill are questionable, all because of hamstring injuries. Also questionable, because of an ankle injury, is nose guard Jim Wahler. . . . San Diego State reported no injuries. . . . The Aztecs are listed as 24-point underdogs.

A crowd of about 53,000 is expected. A free shuttle bus will transport fans to the Rose Bowl from a parking lot just west of Fair Oaks Avenue between Holly and Walnut streets in Pasadena. . . . UCLA Coach Terry Donahue: “I’m not going to say I haven’t heard players talk about Nebraska, because I have. But not a lot, and not openly. You can’t help but do that in our business. It happens.”

Said Donahue, who needs two victories to give him 100 in his career: “It’s kind of like moving up to staff sergeant. I think the 100 wins kind of puts you out of the category of young coach and into the category of seasoned veteran coach.” Donahue, 44, has a 98-36-7 record in 12 seasons at UCLA, 8-4 in season openers.

Sophomore running back Tommy Booker, who chose San Diego State over bigger-name schools after rushing for more than 2,000 yards as a senior at Vista High School in San Diego, talked of transferring this summer because he thought the coaching staff put too much emphasis on the passing game. “I should have thought it through more,” he told a reporter. “I always think of my friends, because they’re in the Pac-10 and the Big Eight. You sort of feel, not inferior, but--well--maybe.”

Freshman Bill Kushner, whose father--also Bill Kushner--co-authored former Raider Jack Tatum’s autobiography, “They Call Me Assassin,” is the San Diego State punter. . . . Donahue on Jim Bonds, a 5-foot 11-inch redshirt freshman who is listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Troy Aikman: “He has a nice ability to really put the ball into a crowded area and put heat on it. He has a nice command in the huddle. (But) he’s not very tall. That’s an obvious liability for him. The only thing he really doesn’t have is height.” . . . Donahue on freshman quarterback Bret Johnson: “When we recruited Bret, it was with the idea that he would redshirt. And, if at all possible, I’m going to try to keep that commitment to him.”