AZTEC UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Bolder Offense Pleases Wide Receiver Rowe

Senior wide receiver Patrick Rowe likes San Diego State’s new offensive set-up, which played a large role in the Aztecs’ 47-21 victory Saturday over Hawaii.

“It’s the most aggressive we’ve been all season,” Rowe said. “(New quarterback David) Lowery was so confident out there. From the opening drive to his last series, he was confident, and he wanted to get the ball to the receivers as fast as he possibly could.”

In addition to Lowery, Coach Al Luginbill pared down the receiver rotation to four: Rowe, Merton Harris, Darnay Scott and Larry Maxey.

Part of the reason for the Aztecs’ success Saturday was that they finally were able to pass on first down. In their two losses, the Aztecs completed only five of 24 passes (21%) for 74 yards and an interception. And one of those passes was thrown by tailback T.C. Wright.

Saturday, Lowery was seven of 12 (58%) on first down for 117 yards.

Another reason for the success is the insertion, at various times, of Rowe and Scott into the game together. Last spring, Rowe finished fifth in the Western Athletic Conference 100-meter track finals and Scott finished second in the state 200-meter high school track finals.

“I thought it was a good idea,” Rowe said. “I feel comfortable with Darnay out there. He has great speed. It’s nice to have speed on both sides.

The two hadn’t play at the same time until Saturday because Luginbill wanted to bring Scott, a freshman, along slowly.

When they are in the game together, Scott plays split end and Rowe plays flanker. When there are two tight ends, they are both flankers. Otherwise, they both play split end.

SDSU coaches are getting defensive back Gary Taylor ready to join T.C. Wright as a punt returner.

“As our athleticism improves, we think we have the opportunity to do things in our kicking game that we weren’t able to do a year ago,” Luginbill said. “We’re spending as much time on our return game now as on our coverage teams.”

You knew it had to come: Considering New Mexico’s 94-17 loss Saturday to Fresno State, Luginbill is worried about SDSU overlooking the Lobos. So he is talking about Penn State, Cincinnati and Louisville.

It goes like this: Penn State whipped Cincinnati earlier this season, 81-0. But Cincinnati turned around and stunned Louisville last weekend, 30-7. Could New Mexico be this week’s Cincinnati?

“That gets scary quick,” Luginbill said. “That will get your attention.”

The Freedom Bowl will have a scout in San Diego to watch the Aztecs play New Mexico. . . . Receiver Keith Williams, who suffered a bruised kidney in Hawaii, is expected to return to practice this afternoon.