AZTEC NOTEBOOK : Faulk Watch to Go to the Wire

He strapped on the shoulder pads for the first time this week and actually took part in San Diego State’s Thanksgiving morning practice, but a decision on Marshall Faulk’s status for Saturday’s game with No. 1 Miami will not be made until after pregame warmups, Aztec Coach Al Luginbill said.

Although Luginbill and SDSU trainer Brian Barry each said that Faulk’s sprained right knee continues to show improvement, they agreed that it is not yet 100%.

“He’s much better today,” Luginbill said. “He ran some plays. We’ll bring him out and put him through drills (today) but we will definitely wait until after pregame warmups. I will not play him unless he is 100%.”

Faulk said Wednesday that, given his progress this week, he thinks he should be able to play. Nothing seemed to change that Thursday.

“He felt better today than yesterday, and yesterday he worked pretty hard,” Barry said after Thursday’s practice.

Another telling sign was that Barry said earlier in the week that if Faulk’s knee didn’t progress, Barry would probably rule Faulk out Thursday.

Thursday came and went and the Aztecs remained optimistic.

“This would be encouraging,” Barry acknowledged.

In Miami, Hurricane Coach Dennis Erickson figured that the Aztecs simply are tap dancing.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Faulk will play,” Erickson told reporters in Miami.

Luginbill bristled when Erickson’s words were related.

“Dennis knows more about it than I do, then,” Luginbill said.

Faulk, who was named to the Walter Camp and Writers’ Assn. All-American teams Wednesday, leads the nation in rushing at 163 yards per game. He has gained 1,630 yards rushing this year, although he had only 21 on two carries Saturday against Fresno State before leaving the game with the knee injury.

Faulk left the practice field about 40 minutes into SDSU’s 1 1/4-hour workout Thursday.

“I felt OK,” he said to one reporter he passed on his way to the locker room.

Faulk declined further comment later. He participated in about eight to 10 snaps and, according to Barry, performed all of the duties he is expected to do in a game--blocking, running and going in motion. Barry figured that Faulk was “at least 80%.”

“We’re still optimistic that at least we have a decision to make on game day,” Barry said. “At least he’s progressed to that point.”

Meanwhile, with back-up running back Wayne Pittman out with a broken leg, transplanted H-back Larry Maxey has been taking most of the snaps at running back this week.

Even if Faulk starts, Maxey, a senior, figures to be involved heavily in the rotation.

“It’s strange,” Maxey said. “I always figured at the beginning of the season that if I played running back it would be at midseason. I never imagined I would possibly start at running back against Miami and definitely play running back against Miami.

“I’m looking forward to it. It would be a great way to end my career by having a great game against the ‘Canes.”

Maxey gained 24 yards during a 90-yard Aztec touchdown drive that resulted in SDSU’s taking a 41-38 lead with 4:32 left to play against Fresno State.

“To go to the running back spot and be a major part of a 90-yard drive that put us ahead--that tells you all about Larry Maxey,” Luginbill said. “He’s an example of what life is all about.”

Still thinking about the last time Miami visited San Diego, when the Hurricanes barely escaped with a 30-28 victory, Erickson had the team fly to San Diego on Thanksgiving evening rather than taking the usual Friday flight.

“Maybe this will make a difference,” Erickson said.

By arriving a day early, Erickson figured the Hurricanes can sleep off the effects of a five-hour flight this morning.

After a devastating loss to Fresno State that eliminated the Aztecs from bowl consideration, Luginbill said he is happy with the way the team has bounced back this week.

“They’ve got their personality back and that was important,” Luginbill said. “That was the first item of business this week. And of course, putting the Miami videos in gets your attention.”