AZTEC NOTEBOOK / SCOTT MILLER : Fresno State Coach Cool to Mascot’s Sideline Antics

SAN DIEGO â€”  In this corner, we have a young, buffed, half-naked man.

In that corner, we have a 63-year-old head coach.

Forget San Diego State vs. Fresno State on Saturday, even if the Aztecs can clinch the Western Athletic Conference title and a Holiday Bowl berth.

The best part of Saturday afternoon might take place minutes before kickoff.

One Aztec tradition is for mascot Monty Montezuma, who wears a loin cloth and headdress, to race out and throw a flaming spear into the ground in front of their opponents’ bench. Fresno State Coach Jim Sweeney said Thursday ol’ Monty had better not try that schtick against the Bulldogs.

“I understand they have a guy who throws spears at the players,� Sweeney said on Brad Cesmat’s XTRA radio show Thursday afternoon. “If he gets near our hash mark, he’ll get a bucket of water on him. I’ll promise you that. . . .

“I’ll guarantee you if he sticks that spear near our sidelines, there’s going to be a problem.�

Cesmat had Monty on later in the show and played the Sweeney tape for him.

“Hey, those are some pretty big words,� said Carlos Gutierrez, who plays Monty. “I’m not afraid of him. He better be ready with a hose because I’m going to be on that sideline a lot.�

Mostly, the Aztecs were amused when this was related to them after Thursday’s practice.

“I guess it’s all part of the game,� linebacker Shawn Smith said between chuckles. “Where are they going to get all the water from?�

Added Aztec quarterback David Lowery: “That’s great--let them have all the sideshow events. If they want to do something to our mascot, that’s fine. Hopefully, we’ll show them how to play football.�

SDSU Coach Al Luginbill just shook his head.

“That’s Jim,� he said. “You’ve just got to understand him. I’m glad Monty’s being noticed.�

Sweeney is known for not taking things lying down. After becoming angry during a loss to New Mexico in 1989 because the fans in Albuquerque chanted “Sweeney is a weenie� throughout the game, the Bulldogs ran up a 94-17 pasting on New Mexico in Fresno in 1991.

The Aztec punt return unit ranks ninth in the WAC and 86th nationally with an average return of only 6.4 yards per kick.

“We’ve been caught in an injury situation and had to play so many people,� Luginbill said. “We’ve never been able to settle in from week to week. We’re always plugging holes.

“In the off-season, we’re really going to take a look at that. We thought we could return better than we have. I’m leaning toward going back to attacking, but it’s not something you change in the middle of the season.�

The Aztecs have a young punt returner, redshirt freshman Ray Peterson, in addition to having had several injuries. Defensive backs Chris Johnson and Darrell Lewis, for example, were on the punt return team before being yanked off because of injuries.

As for Peterson, he has shown promise but hasn’t produced many long returns. He has carried all 30 punts the Aztecs have been able to return for the 6.4 average. His long play is a return of 32 yards.

“Ray is brand new,� Luginbill said. “He’s done some nice things and he’s done some things (in which) freshman inexperience and immaturity shows up.�

Punter Scott Oatsvall, who collapsed on the SDSU sideline near the end of last week’s game, has been cleared to play Saturday. Defensive lineman Ramondo Stallings (ankle) and linebacker Terrill Steen (knee) both are expected to play, although Steen was held out of Thursday’s practice. Defensive lineman Turaj Smith (dislocated toe) will be evaluated again Saturday morning. . . . Defensive back Darrell Lewis (groin) practiced on Thursday for the first time all week and will play. . . . Kicker Andy Trakas has moved into second place in career scoring in the WAC with 322 points.