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Show PACE 18 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY NOVEMBER 7, 1988 'Birds are stomped on road again 23-1- 0 BY V BRENT RICHLY I f Two missed field god and a high snap that soiled over punter Troy Veui h's head proved the fatal maigin of defeat for the Thunderbirds at the hands of the Mustangs of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Saturday. We're particularly proud of our defense to come back and put a fine performance together," said Head Coach Jack Bishop The 'Birds will need a fine defensive performance next week when they host Cal State Northridge, who brings a four game losing streak into Thunderbud Stadium, in the season tinale. In the loss to the Mustangs, Veach lined up for a routine punt early in the third quarter, but snapper Leo Biggs hiked the ball over his head and it rolled line Veach kicked the down to the SUSC one-yar- d ball out of the back of the end zone to give the safety and avoid a possible Mustangs the two-poitouchdown, but was cited tor an illegal kick since he was on the field ot play ' The snap from center really put us in a hole," said Bishop The Mustangs took possession trom the one-var- d line and running back Todd Henderson barrelled in to 0 advantage before winning give the Mustangs a s 17-1- 23-1- 0 Late in the third quarter kicker Heikey Marxen 'missed the first of two key field goals that proved : costly tor the 'Birds After a sustained drive that began on SUSC's own 28, the J 'Birds drove down inside I the Mustang 20. Unable to . j punch it into the end zone, Marxen attempted a that trailed oft to ! the Jett. Then mtdwav ,i through the fourth q taner ' M iixen still trailing that - j attempted a 'Bird mentor Jack Bishop went wide right ith 5 42 remaining n the game Mustang rjnnng back Rob Riiev galloped run tiom scrimmage , into the end zone cn a tour-pla- v that rapped ott a dove that put the game away tor Cal Poly Tne Mustang defense entered the game leading the FC in lewest rushing yards allowed averag "g only 51 a game "Me knew we wem go.ng against the number one team in the nation on deiens," saic Bishop But tne 'Bircfs vveie sn Accusing the most potent rushing ottense m the WrC, averaging more than 217 cards per game The obvious question was nat happens w nen an unstoppable totce meets an immovable ohjecH The answer a hard fought, bruising deiensive effort by both teams tnat ended in a compromising 95 yards rushing tor SUSC, w'hich d loss on the abortive punt includes the "I don't think ever seen a worse otticiated game in my entire life," Bishop said "Our kids got a little frustrated by the officiating. (Cal Poly) uses an illegal chop block that stands the player up and then hits into tine knee We had hits to the groin, and uppercuts underneath the facemask." Going into Saturday night's contest the Mustang squad had been investigated three times by the NCAA this year for illegal hits, and unsportsmanlike plav "We were getting a lot of late hits on our running backs," said Bishop However, 'Bird halfback Kelvin Minefee inched t ! r I Kelvin Mmetee, currently j 1 i 4b-yar- d 35-yar- le (CONTINUED ON P4CF 19) in rushing vardage in the MFC, has emerged as the leading ' Bird rusher 'Bird back: short on stature, long on ability BY DAREN COTTAM ! I second Despite being only Kelvin Minefee 5' 9", Thunderbird halfback explodes into view whenever he takes the field. SUSC football fans cannot help but notice the streaking number 2 as he glides toward the end zone. Minefee is currently second m the Western Football Conference in total rushing yardage with . 1'098 Tfe needs only 33 more to set an SUSC all- -' . time single-seaso- n Tushing record. Ffis 13 TDs this season have already set a school ma'rk SUSC struck gold by signing Minefee from Dixie College Recruited bv several California schools and a prospect tor the University' ot Georgia, he was on his wav to the University of Arizona, but would have been declared ineligible to play the 1988 season, so he became a Thunderbird Born in Louisana, he spent most ot his Lte in Las Vegas where he attended Bishop Gorman Hrgh Qchooi plav mg tootbaJ or course Mineiee has always looked to his family as his greaesr source ot strenctr,, and recently added a rew member, marrvmg last summer He and his wile ) in are happy to De in Cedar Cih His compact build has a knack tor finding the enr zone his most noted accomplishment at Dixie was breaking the NICAA record ot 31 touchdown-- , pieviouslv held by football great O wasn t aware ot the record until the Simpson second to last game ot the year," said Minefee He ran toi more than 200 yards in the Rotary' Bow! in St George, receiving MVP honors had a great experience at Dixie; the most important thing learned there was to compliment mv offensive line. They opened all the holes; they deserve a lot of credit," he said Despite his outstanding athletic ability, Minefee was not a standout until his sophomore year at Dixie. In high school he was overshadowed by Blake Ezor who is now Michigan Sta'e's premier running back. The spotlight during Ins freshman year at Dix.e was focused on tailback Fine Unga, I now the starting back for Weber State. Minefee has had an outstanding season thus far. In his third start as a 'Bird, Minefee broke free in a d home contest against Mesa for a run, the longest run from the line of scrimmage in SUSC's history. He finished the game with 253 yards from 99-yar- -- t i : - Kelvin Mmetee scrimmage, the second highest total in school history, and three touchdowns. In other notable performances, Minefee rushed for 131 yards and a TD against NAU in the season opener. Against NMHU he led the 'Birds to a victory with 106 grueling yards. He has found an n pe"ia!iM important role for SUSC as He overwhelmingly leads the WFC with an average of over 32 yards and touchdowns of 98 and 91 yards. kick-re'ur- |