BySteve MullinsAssistant Sports Editor
LARAMIE, Wyo. — It was the perfect ending to a new beginning.
That’s what San Diego State’s players were saying followingSaturday’s 34-0 triumph over Wyoming. With the win, SDSU beganMountain West Conference play the way it had wanted, all butforgetting about its four non-conference losses.
“This win is the only thing that matters,” said free safety BrianRussell. “I’d love to be 5-0, but really, we’re playing for aconference championship. This was big for us. It’s a brand-newseason.”
The Aztecs brand-new season began under sunny skies. At kickoff,15,661 fans, mostly faithful Cowboys supporters, were finding theirseats in 38-degree weather at War Memorial Stadium. By halftime, manywere headed home — not caring to watch a rout in temperaturesfalling as low as eight degrees with the wind-chill factor.
SDSU, which began the day ranked No. 107 (out of 114) offensivelyin the nation, rolled up 434 yards of total offense. Additionally,the Aztecs were tied with Navy for the nation’s second-worst scoringoffense. Their 34 points against Wyoming exceeded their total fromthe previous four games.
On defense, SDSU had five sacks, four forced fumbles, tworecoveries, and an interception, while allowing just 26 yardsrushing.
“Obviously it was nice to get a win,” said Aztecs head coach TedTollner. “But I think the thing that was most encouraging was thatevery phase made a contribution. Everybody in that locker room feelsgood because they all had a chance to contribute and because it was along time coming.”
SDSU’slast victory came at home on Nov. 27, 1999. Coincidence or not, thatalso was against Wyoming. Saturday’s win was the Aztecs’ first inLaramie in their last seven tries dating back to 1984.
The bloodletting began modestly on SDSU’s second drive of thegame. After a Donte Gamble interception, the Aztecs drove just 14yards on seven plays. After a sack, they were forced to settle for a46-yard Nate Tandberg field goal 6:21 into the first quarter.
SDSU’s second scoring drive began only 17 seconds later. On theCowboys’ first play from scrimmage following Tandberg’s field goal,Aztecs defensive end Amon Arnold hit running back Nate Scott in thebackfield and forced a fumble. The ball was recovered by strongsafety Will Demps at Wyoming’s 14-yard line.
Six plays later, Larry Ned rambled into the end zone from thetwo-yard line, giving SDSU a 10-0 lead. In the second quarter, Aztecsquarterback Lon Sheriff displayed some of the poise he’s shown duringpractice. During SDSU’s next two scoring possessions, the sophomoresignal-caller was 8-of-9 passing for 126 yards. Sherif’s first careertouchdown pass came when he found Sean Pierce over the middle with anine-yard strike.
“There were very few missed plays,” Sheriff said. “I can’t sayenough about what my receivers did for me.”
Sheriff finished with 317 yards on 19-of-27 passing. He broke hispersonal-best passing performance in the second quarter.
Early in the third quarter, the Cowboys had their best chance toscore. During the Aztecs’ first second-half series, Wyoming forcedand recovered a fumble at SDSU’s 18-yard line. However, even with ared-zone possession, the Cowboys were still unable to convert. Fourplays later, they coughed up the ball at the SDSU 22.
Inhis post-game comments, Wyoming head coach Vic Koenning expressed hisdispleasure with his team’s performance.
“I don’t have words for what you saw tonight, but I guarantee itwasn’t football,” he said. “It was a bunch of guys out there takingup space and taking up time.”
Five plays after the Cowboys fumble, Sheriff connected withDerrick Lewis on a 40-yard touchdown bomb.
For Lewis, the touchdown was his first of the season. He now hasfive career touchdown receptions, all of which have gone for 36 ormore yards.
After the game, Lewis credited the offensive line for allowingenough time for that and other big plays to develop.
“Lon had time (in the pocket) tonight,” Lewis said. “He wassitting back there making his reads. If he can do that, he can pickany defense apart.”
