Andrew Riggs / The Collegian

Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Sacramento State Hornets

Gameday: Saturday 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium

Radio: KMJ 580 AM and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM

Pre-game Show: ESPN 1430 AM

Bulldogs Three Keys to Victory:

1)Forget about last season – water under the bridge. The ‘Dogs need to focus on the task at hand: beating Sacramento State.

2)Tom Brandstater needs to establish the Bulldogs passing game. With an experienced offensive line protecting him, Brandstater needs to get his young receivers and tight end Bear Pascoe involved in the offense early.

3)Do not play down to the Division I-AA level. The Bulldogs are a Division I-A team and need to play like that. That doesn’t mean be overconfident, instead play high-quality football for four quarters.

In The Hornets’ Nest…

2006 Record: 4-7, 4-4 Big Sky (5th)
Head Coach: Marshall Sperbeck (1st Season)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Key Returners: S Brent Webber, WR Torrell Baker, LB Cyrus Mulitalo
Series Record: Fresno State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 1972 – Fresno State won 24-7 in Sacramento

Position Matchups

Quarterbacks: Fresno State
Running Backs: Fresno State
Offensive Line: Fresno State
Receivers: Sac State
Defensive Lineman: Fresno State
Linebackers: Fresno State
Defensive Backs: Sac State
Special Teams: Fresno State

Breakdown: Bulldogs

Fresno State is coming off of one of its most disappointing seasons in recent memory. Pat Hill̢۪s squad would like nothing better than to start their 2007 campaign by beating their sister school from up north. The Bulldogs will need to rely on their strengths and avoid showing their weakness if they hope to begin their season with a victory.

Strengths:

̢ۢ Four of the five starters from last season̢۪s offensive line are returning to protect quarterback Tom Brandstater and open holes in the running game. The line has a combined 69 starts between all five starters. The unit was the best in the WAC last season, only allowing 14 sacks. Outland/Remington trophy candidate Ryan Wendell anchors this experienced line at center. Left guard Cole Popovich is poised for a breakout season. If he stays healthy he is solid as a rock.

̢ۢ Bear Pascoe is very versatile at the tight end position. The former high school quarterback can run, catch, block and is an excellent asset on special teams. Pascoe will likely be Brandstater̢۪s best friend this season as he gives the quarterback excellent protection and is a nice insurance policy on short third down conversions. If new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain can involve Pascoe in the offense then it could be a long night for the Hornets.

̢ۢ Last season was deplorable for the Bulldogs special teams unit. One bright spot, however, was senior kicker Clint Stitser. He hit 11 of 16 field goals last season, second in the conference. The strongest kicker in Fresno State history, Stitser is a Lou Groza award candidate and provides the Bulldogs with a rock in the kicking game.

Weaknesses:

̢ۢ Losing wide receiver Chastin West was a big blow to the offense. The go-to-guy will now be sophomore Marlon Moore, who only caught four balls last season. The lack of experience in the receiving corps and an experienced Hornet secondary could slow the passing game.

̢ۢ The secondary unit was inconsistent at best last season and deplorable at worst. Former cornerback Marcus McCauley was a huge letdown in 2006. Stepping into his place is senior Damon Jenkins. He will try and be a solid anchor at cornerback. Jenkins had all three of the Bulldogs̢۪ interceptions last season to go along with 32 tackles.

̢ۢ The Bulldogs special teams unit allowed 15.8 yards per punt return and 22.3 yards per kickoff return last season. This statistic will need to be vastly improved if the Bulldogs hope to contend.

̢ۢ The loss of nose tackle Jason Shirley hurts the defense on the line, but senior defensive end Tyler Clutts should be able to pick up the slack.

Breakdown: Hornets

Coach Marshall Sperbeck is entering his first season at the helm of the Hornets who are returning 13 starters from a year ago. He is looking to turn the program around after a fifth place showing in the Big Sky Conference and sixth consecutive losing season. This is the Hornets first ever trip to Bulldog Stadium. The only previous meeting between the Hornets and Bulldogs was in 1972 at Sacramento. The Bulldogs won that game 24-7. Bragging rights will be on the line for the premier football program in the valley.

Strengths:

• The Hornets return three starters on their defensive line from last year’s squad. “The defensive line is one of the strengths of our team,â€Â Sperbeck said. “It’s a group of players that can lead and make a difference on the team.â€Â

̢ۢ Sperbeck̢۪s secondary is solid with four returning starters. Safeties Brent Webber and Brett Shelton anchor the defensive backs and have combined to start in 62 games during their collegiate careers. Facing an inexperienced Bulldog receiving corps will play to the Hornets̢۪ advantage.

̢ۢ Wide receiver is the deepest position on the team for the Hornets. Four players are returning who have started for Sac State. Junior wide receiver Torrell Baker who played running back last season is the leading returning rusher and receiver from last season. Look for Sperbeck to utilize Baker in multiple formations.

Weaknesses:

̢ۢ Red-shirt freshman Jason Smith gets the nod at quarterback for the Hornets. His lack of experience has Bulldogs̢۪ defensive end Tyler Clutts and the rest of the defense licking their chops.

̢ۢ Another glaring question mark for the Hornets is at running back. Five players are listed on the depth chart and not one has started at running back for Sac State. Fresno City College transfer Travon Jones will start Saturday for the Hornets.

̢ۢ The offensive line has only three returning letterman from a year ago. Only two started.