The Valley Boys are on the rise again. The Rockets 41-17 win at Rynearson Stadium was a much needed shot in the arm for UT’s program and fans alike. But it’s not the Maumee Valley I’m referring to. Rather it is the San Joaquin Valley and the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Fresno State's pride for the San Joaquin Valley is displayed in the form of a green on the back base of their helmets.
Having spent the last couple years regaining their swagger, the Bulldogs have put the 4-8 2006 season behind them. Head Coach Pat Hill’s “Pride of the Valley” program had been one of the top BCS challenging outsiders for the last decade and is a model for mid-majors nation-wide. The mantra of Bulldogs coach Pat Hill says it all: "Anytime, anywhere, anybody." This year’s non-conference schedule features Rutgers, Wisconsin, Toledo and UCLA before the ‘Dogs head into WAC play.
Following a 9-4 record last year, including a 40-28 upset of Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl, the ‘Dogs have returned to a top 25 ranking. Prior to their 13-10 lost to #10 Wisconsin, the Bulldogs were ranked #21. Fresno State (1-1) remained in the AP Top 25 at No. 25. Wisconsin moved up two spots to No. 8 in the AP poll.
The Bulldogs’ goal of playing in one of the major BCS bowls remains viable but it would require them to win out and have ranked mid-major programs -- No. 14 Brigham Young, No. 15 East Carolina and No. 20 Utah – suffer multiple losses.
For Fresno State it begins anew this Saturday in the Glass Bowl.
On Offense
Part of the loss to the Badgers could be attributed to injuries to the offensive line. Four-year starting LG Cole Popovich suffered a quadriceps tendon injury during practice that prevented him from playing against Wisconsin. Cole may be out for the season. Starting center Richard Pacheo has been battling a hamstring injury and was also out of the lineup last Saturday.
LG duties are being handled by sophomore Devan Cunningham. The plan was to redshirt the 6’6” 350 pound lineman but that’s history. Per Coach Hill: "We're not redshirting him now. He was the next best guy so we played him. Not having Cole Popovich was big, but Devan gained a lot of experience. I think he'll become a very good player because of it."
Center Joe Bernardi moved up the depth chart and started against Wisconsin. Bernardi started five games last season before he tore an anterior cruciate ligament midseason. Last Saturday marked his first playing time this season.
Not surprisingly, misplays occurred including two botched center to QB exchanges and a nine yard QB sack allowed by Cunningham.
This reworked OL garnered only 93 yards in the first half of the Wisconsin game. Coach Hill changed some things during the intermission as FSU outgained the Badgers 343 to 303 in total yards. This unit, however, gave up three sacks and a whopping 11 tackles for losses.
If the adage is correct that the biggest improvement for a team is between the first and second game, the OL may be primed this Saturday.
Running backs Ryan Matthews and Lonyae Miller combined for 1700+ yards last year. Both are 5”10” and 205 pounds with Matthews (5.0 ypc, 3 rushing TDs) getting most of the work. Against the Scarlet Knights he ran for 163 yards.
Senior QB Tom Brandstater, 6’5”, 225 pounds, has completed 51% of his throws but they tend to go for big gains. WR Seyi Ajirotutu, 6’3” 200 pounds, has six catches for 147 yards (24.5 ypc), WR Devon Wylie, 5’9” 170 pounds, has three receptions for 93 yards (31 ypc, 1 TD), and Ryan Matthews has two catches for 81 yards (40.5 ypc). TE Bear Pascoe, 6’5” 260 pounds, has six receptions averaging 9.3 ypc.
An interesting stat is the Bulldogs have yet to score a first half point.
On Defense
The Bulldogs have six of eight returning DL regulars, a seasoned LB corps, and seven of eight returning members of the secondary. The defense is the strength of the team. They held Rutgers and Wisconsin to a combined 3.6 yards per rush. FSU defense has combined for 16 tackles for losses, 11 pass deflections and nine pass breaks ups.
Their efforts have them No. 16 nationally in points allowed. Despite the lack of height, no DB is taller than 6’1” with most under 6’0”, they are very good in pass coverage.
Speedy DE Chris Carter, 6’2” 220 pounds leads the team in tackles with 15 (14 assists). Sure handed CB A.J. Jefferson (10 solos) and MLB Ben Jacobs both have 14 tackles.
Noteworthy, opponents have converted only 26% of third down conversions and are zero for three on fourth down attempts. The Bulldogs have allowed just two of six red zone visits to be converted into touchdowns.
Special Teams
A hallmark of Pat Hill’s teams has been the play of the special teams. This year, the statistics are passing but not that special. Kickoffs are being returned by opponents for an average of 21 yards and punts for 10 yards. Bulldog returners are returning kickoffs 21 yards on average but only advancing punts 5 yards per return. They have blocked one punt.
What must be keeping Pat Hill up at night is his field goal kicker. Freshman kicker Kevin Goessling is two for five with a long of 33 yards. He missed three field goal attempts against Wisconsin which was billed as the biggest game in the Valley. To Hill’s credit, Goessling was not available to the media following the loss.
What to Look For:
WR reverse with Devon Wylie
Screen pass to Ryan Matthews
A long kick-off return by A.J. Jefferson – he led the NCAA last year in this category
The bulk of the Bulldog’s running game to be on their right side
Aaron Opelt to roll out more
More quick passes to WRs and RBs to balance the run for the Rockets
Fresno State to score in the first half
Rocket blitzes particularly from the right side
Another Rocket interception
Greg Harris to have at least one kick-off return of 30 yards or more
Rockets defense to get pressure on Bulldog QB Tom Brandstater including sacks by DL's Sean Williamson and Albertson Alexandre
An exciting game as indicated by the early 6.5 to 7 point spread
The Rockets got just what the doctor ordered in their dominance of Eastern Michigan. The defense, offense and special teams all improved their play significantly from the opener in Tucson. The home opener on new turf in front of a HUGE Glass Bowl crowd will be a plus. The fact that lots of players on both sides of the ball have got playing time is a plus for the Rockets. The offensive line may benefit from the fact that the Bulldogs have yet to face a versatile spread offense this year.
The Bulldogs have no margin for error if they are to factor in the BCS big bowl picture. If they look past Toledo to UCLA . . . well that could be an error.
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