AZTEC UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : DeBerry Heaps Praise on the Aztecs’ Talent

SAN DIEGO —  Air Force Coach Fisher DeBerry was on the telephone talking about Saturday’s Falcon-Aztec game. He spoke of how much he likes the Aztecs, how much talent SDSU has and how he just isn’t quite sure how Air Force will match up.

He said all the right things--all the things, that is, that make SDSU Coach Al Luginbill frown.

Luginbill said earlier this week that he was sick of hearing DeBerry talk the Falcons (3-0) down while heaping praise on the Aztecs (2-0). DeBerry didn’t back down Wednesday.

“It’s pretty obvious, unless they are lying in their brochures,” DeBerry said. “I don’t see a lot of weaknesses in their football program. If Al would like to change talent, I’d accommodate him in some areas.

“We’ve got to play an outstanding football game.”

Specifically, DeBerry is worried about individual match-ups.

“I don’t think we can match up position by position,” he said. “They are very, very talented. They may be as talented as a lot of teams in the country.”

He singled out running backs Marshall Faulk and T.C. Wright and receiver Patrick Rowe.

“I believe I could figure out a way to get Patrick Rowe the ball if I had him on my side,” DeBerry said.

There don’t seem to be any answers as to why quarterback Cree Morris has gotten off to a painfully slow start in each of his first two games.

Against Cal State Long Beach, Morris completed only two of his first nine passes.

Against Pacific, he missed on his first four attempts and completed only two of his first 10. He continually overthrew receivers in the first half.

“We haven’t been a fast-starting offense in three years,” Luginbill said. “Even in (Dan McGwire’s) senior year until right at the end. . . . We’re about the same stage as we were a year ago.”

Luginbill draws a blank on Morris’ slow starts. “I don’t have an answer for that,” he said.

Said Morris: “I don’t know what to tell you. No excuses, I can tell you that. I’ve just got to get my act together early and find receivers. I’ve got to be hot coming out.”

Against Long Beach, Morris said he was wild early. Against Pacific, he said, “I don’t know what happened. I came out sputtering.”

Morris has completed 33 of 69 passes this season for 483 yards and two touchdowns. One of his passes has been intercepted. He ranks sixth in the Western Athletic Conference in passing efficiency.

SDSU hasn’t won in Colorado Springs since 1980. The Aztecs have lost six in a row at Air Force, including the past two by a combined score of 101-43. Air Force is returning home after two road games. It is the first road game for the Aztecs, who lost four of five away from home last season. . . . Running back T.C. Wright (thigh bruise), free safety Damon Pieri (groin strain/contusion) and linebacker Andy Coviello (knee tendinitis) have all been cleared to play Saturday. Luginbill said Pieri practiced at about “70%” Wednesday.