There's no quick fix for Aztecs' leaky defense  

By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer | Sunday, November 25, 2007 9:11 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The numbers have all the nuance of punch in the face.

According to head coach Chuck Long, the solution to the San Diego State football team's defensive black eye is a good deal more complex.

In the Aztecs' 45-33 home loss to Texas Christian on Saturday, the Aztecs gave up a season-worst 694 yards, a program-worst 39 first downs and 376 rushing yards ---- which looked reasonable only in comparison to the 569 they allowed to Air Force the week before.

After the past two beatings, the Aztecs (4-7, 3-4 Mountain West) have fallen to No. 117 in the nation against the run and No. 114 in total defense. They would need a miraculous effort in Saturday's season finale at home against Brigham Young ---- the Mountain West Conference's top offense ---- to avoid allowing more yards than any team in Aztecs' history.

"Brow-beating our defense and beating them up physically and mentally is not the answer," Long said Sunday. "If they were a three-year bunch ---- a junior and senior bunch --- that would be a different story. But right now, that's not the answer."

The only answer Long sees is a long-term one.

Perhaps one of the most glaring lessons from Saturday's game is that the Aztecs still seemed far from physical enough to trade blows with the conference's heavyweights. The Horned Frogs converted 15-of-23 third downs and ran 111 plays.

Long said he wants the Aztecs to emulate TCU's smash-mouth style, adding that his staff has recruited to that need and the current players will continue to grow in the weight room.

"We will become more physical in time as we gain strength in our program," Long said. "That's probably more of an offseason talk than now, but yeah, that needs to happen as well. These guys will get more physical in the program as they get older as well, as they gain strength in the maturation process."

Despite the gloomy past two weeks, Long called the game against the conference champion Cougars (9-2, 7-0) an important opportunity to send out a senior class he said has helped the program make positive strides.

"We're a much better team than we were last year," Long said. "Everybody wants to look at the bottom line and wins and losses; that's just the way society is. But we've had a lot of successes this year. (The seniors) have put a lot of blocks in place that we can build on, and that's a good thing."

Redshirt freshman running back Brandon Sullivan, a Poway High alumnus, could miss the BYU game with a case of turf toe.

Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mrklitzing@gmail.com.