SOUTH BEND, Ind. – San Diego State's football team has faced two opponents this season and suffered close losses against both. Coach Chuck Long was asked in his postgame news conference which of them is better:
Notre Dame, or the Mustangs of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Long's answer: “That's a tough question. It's hard to say who's better.”
Notre Dame's struggles – and some would say, good luck – in a 21-13 win against San Diego State yesterday could mean several things. One is that Cal Poly is a bona-fide juggernaut. One is that the 0-2 Aztecs really aren't that terrible and merely lost to a pair of excellent teams. And one very real possibility is that college football's most storied program could be in for another long season.
That it's jeer, jeer for old Notre Dame.
Fans hopeful the 3-9 record of 2007 was an aberration quickly became irritated with the Fighting Irish's inability to dispense with a team that a week earlier had lost – at home, no less – to a team from what used to be called Division I-AA. The frustration boiled over in the third quarter when, on the very next play after intercepting an SDSU pass on the 17-yard line, quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw a pick of his own in the end zone.
Yes, those were boos from the 200th straight sellout at Notre Dame Stadium.
Coach Charlie Weis tried to put a happy face on what local journalists were privately saying would have ranked among the “most catastrophic” losses in Notre Dame history.
“Look, I think we have enough foresight to realize what lies ahead,” Weis said. “Everyone will talk about an ugly win. Are you happy with an ugly win? I told (the players), 'Yes, you're happy with an ugly win because it's better than an ugly loss. I'll take an ugly win any day of the week.' ”
What lies ahead: Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. Last year they lost those games by a combined 102-33.
Lindley impressive again
Redshirt freshman quarterback
Ryan Lindley completed 29-of-59 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown. The 59 attempts were the third-most in SDSU history. Lindley, who threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns against Cal Poly, has already established school records for a freshman in the categories of attempts, completions and touchdowns.
“After being sort of embarrassed last week, it was tough to lose a close one like this,” Lindley said. “I told everybody in the locker room how proud I was of them, because guys came out and played really hard. Guys are taking the loss hard, but I'm glad they are. We're in this for the long haul and I know there are better days ahead.”
Extra points
Junior tight end
Matt Kawulok finished with a career-high nine receptions for 60 yards. Kawulok came into the season having caught six career passes. . . . Junior wide receiver
DeMarco Sampson returned to the field for the first time in two years. Sampson, who teamed with
Davon Brown on the Aztecs' kickoff return team, had two returns for 23 yards. He also had a 2-yard punt return. Sampson, who missed the past two seasons because of a foot injury, did not line up at receiver. . . . Sophomore nose tackle
Ernie Lawson left the game in the fourth quarter after aggravating a foot injury suffered during training camp. . . . Because of injuries along the defensive line, the Aztecs were forced to play 235-pound strongside linebacker
Russell Allen at right defensive end. Allen hadn't played defensive end since his junior year at Vista High.
Mark Zeigler: (619) 293-2205; mark.zeigler@uniontrib.com
