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At a school wedged in a quiet, idyllic region where UCLA and USC come first , it would be easy for a star athlete to go unnoticed. But at San Diego State, where Marshall Faulk and Tony Gwynn sit among the alumni base, a healthy-sized group of Aztecs diehards go from year to year awaiting the next big thing.
Their star of the moment, however, is by no means big.
Damon Gourdine stands only 5-foot-7, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in speed, agility and big-play potential. A versatile athlete who played quarterback, running back and cornerback in high school now makes his mark at receiver, punt and kick returner.
Gourdine is most dangerous as a punt returner, where he broke 57- and 95-yard TD returns a year ago. But 24.5 yards per kick return ain't too shabby, either. Oh, and Gourdine is the Aztecs' leading receiver. His 55 catches (for 649 yards) in '98 included consecutive, overtime game-winners against New Mexico and Utah.
San Diego State will look for even more production from Gourdine in '99, considering their offense ranked seventh last year among the eight Mountain West teams. But leading the show should come naturally for Damon. He is the son of "Little Anthony" of the Motown group "Little Anthony and the Imperials."
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Damon Gourdine is most dangerous as a punt returner, where he ran for two TD returns last year.