Juan Villa / The Collegian
Breakdown:
Bulldogs
Last weekend̢۪s loss to Texas A&M hurt, but the Bulldogs should not be discouraged. Coming back from a 19-0 deficit is no small feat, especially when you push the game to triple overtime.
This week̢۪s task will test the ̢۪Dogs even more so. They will be facing the No.19 Ducks from the University of Oregon. In their last four meetings, the Bulldogs have been edged out by their foes from Eugene by seven points or less in each contest.
You can bet that last season̢۪s win off of a fake field is fresh in the minds of Pat Hill and the Bulldogs. A win this weekend at Autzen Stadium would not only boost the Bulldogs̢۪ confidence going into conference play, but would also be sweet revenge.
Offense:
̢ۢ Quarterback Tom Brandstater showed how much he has matured from last year with that near-comeback he led against Texas A&M. Brandstater threw for 260 yards, three touchdowns and ranks 26th in the nation in passing efficiency.
̢ۢ Brandstater̢۪s favorite target, Bear Pascoe, continues to be the Bulldogs̢۪ biggest weapon offensively. He leads all NCAA tight ends in touchdown catches with four, and his 16.1 yards-per-catch average ranks third in the nation. Also, he blocked a field goal last weekend and continues to provide huge holes for the running game.
̢ۢ Freshman running back Ryan Mathews continues to impress. He once again led the Bulldogs in rushing with 66 yards to go along with a touchdown. Mathews sustained a shoulder injury Saturday, but will play against the Ducks. Running back Lonyae Miller is recovering from a rib injury, but starts Saturday nonetheless.
̢ۢ The injury bug has spread from the backfield to the offensive line. Starting guards Cole Popovich and Adam McDowell will miss this Saturday̢۪s game. Starting in their place will be junior Pierce Masse and redshirt freshman Andrew Jackson. Masse and Jackson̢۪s inexperience could limit the potency of the running game.
Defense:
̢ۢ Jason Shirley will make his long-anticipated debut Saturday against the Ducks. The 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pound nose tackle is a huge force up the middle and will provide much needed run support. Shirley and the line will need to put lots of pressure on Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon.
̢ۢ Redshirt freshman linebacker Ben Jacobs continues to do a great job leading the defense in his first season. Last week he led the team with 16 tackles and is fifth in the WAC with 23 on the season. His counterpart, linebacker Marcus Riley, is second in the conference with 26 total tackles.
̢ۢ Linebacker Quaadir Brown made his first start as a Bulldog last Saturday making 14 tackles and brining some fire back to the defense. The sophomore had not made an appearance since the 2005 season due to an injury.
Juan Villa / The Collegian
Breakdown:
Ducks
The University of Oregon is coming off a 39-7 crushing of the Michigan Wolverines. The Ducks were able to conjure 624 yards of total offense and break into the AP Poll at No. 19.
Coming into Autzen Stadium and leaving with a victory will not be an easy task for the ̢۪Dogs. Eugene is known to be very hostile towards opposing teams, especially the Bulldogs.
Coach Mike Bellotti is one win away from 100 for his career. He and the Ducks are looking to regain prominence in the Pac-10 after a disappointing 2006 campaign and would like nothing more than to keep their winning streak alive against non-conference rival Fresno State.
Offense:
̢ۢ Oregon̢۪s offense revolves around their double-threat quarterback Dennis Dixon. The senior was last week̢۪s Pac-10 offensive player of the week. He had 368 yards of total offense to go with 4 touchdowns, one of which was on a run. He currently ranks fifth in the nation in passing efficiency. Dixon makes lots of things happen in the spread option offense. He has the ability to scramble in the pocket along with throwing the deep bomb.
̢ۢ Dixon̢۪s companion in the backfield is junior running back Jonathan Stewart. He had 111 yards rushing last weekend against Michigan. Oregon is 6-0 when Stewart rushes for over 100 yards. Additionally, he is a two-time all-conference kick returner. Keeping Dixon and Stewart contained will be key for Fresno.
Defense:
̢ۢ Senior free safety Matt Harper is the cornerstone of the defensive secondary. His 24 tackles are second most in the Pac-10. Last weekend against Michigan, Harper had nine tackles, one sack and one interception for 55 yards.
̢ۢ Looking to shut down the passing game for the Ducks is cornerback Jairus Byrd. The sophomore has an interception in his last three games. He is currently second in the Pac-10 with two interceptions and third in the nation.
̢ۢ Senior defensive end David Faaeteete is Oregon̢۪s longest-tenured defensive lineman. He is tied for 10th in the country in tackles for loss.
Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1) at No. 19 Oregon Ducks (2-0)
Gameday: Saturday, 4 p.m. at Autzen Stadium
Television: Bulldog Sports Network (KFRE-59)
Radio: KMJ-AM 580 and ESPN Deportes-AM 1600
Pre-game Show: Dog Talk at 2 p.m. (KMJ-AM 580)
Bulldogs’ Three Keys to Victory:
1) Contain Dixon. Keeping an eye on the explosive Duck quarterback will be crucial for the Bulldogs defense. If he̢۪s forced to stay in the pocket the Bulldogs will be in good shape.
2) Hang on to the ball. In two games this season the Bulldogs already five total fumbles. Turnovers are a big momentum killer and have been costly to the ̢۪Dogs this season.
3) Watch for the “big play.â€Â The Ducks live and die by big completions, but they seem to struggle in the red zone. Good coverage down field and strong run support will stop this from happening.
Sitting on the duck pond…
Last Week: Won 39-7 over Michigan
2006 Record: 7-6, 4-5 Pac-10 (T-5th)
Head Coach: Mike Bellotti (13th Season)
Offense: Spread Option
Defense: 4-3
Key Returners: RB Jonathan Stewart, FS Matt Harper, WR Brian Paysinger
Series Record: Oregon leads 5-2
Last Meeting: 2006 – Oregon won 31-24 in Fresno
Position Matchups
Quarterbacks: Oregon
Dixon is scary on the run.
Running Backs: Oregon
What Dixon lacks in power is provided by Stewart.
Offensive Line: Oregon
The loss of Popovich and McDowell hurts the Bulldogs.
Receivers: Oregon
Ducks̢۪ receiver Brian Paysinger is lightning.
Defensive Lineman: Fresno State
Shirley̢۪s presence makes the line that much better.
Linebackers: Fresno State
Jacobs, Riley, and Brown – absolute studs.
Defensive Backs: Oregon
Harper and Bird provide great pass coverage.
Special Teams: Oregon
Bulldogs kicker Clint Stitser is still taking time to get hot.
FSDogs1 • Sep 18, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Hmm, Moore was the one who lost “us” the game huh? Just curious, have you ever talked to Pat Hill about Moore…?
Sure he made a HUGE mistake, but the Texas A&M game came down to more than just that. And to use that one play as evidence why Moore isn’t good is a mistake. Talk to Hill. He might mention a comparison or two between Moore and Bernard Berrian…
FSDogs1 • Sep 18, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Hmm, Moore was the one who lost “us” the game huh? Just curious, have you ever talked to Pat Hill about Moore…?
Sure he made a HUGE mistake, but the Texas A&M game came down to more than just that. And to use that one play as evidence why Moore isn’t good is a mistake. Talk to Hill. He might mention a comparison or two between Moore and Bernard Berrian…
Blumpkin Flynt • Sep 16, 2007 at 8:58 pm
aaauugggghhh—-nasty game. What direction is this football program going? 0 for the last 8 in BCS matchups, no conference titles since, since…..when? Good thing we’re putting all our jellybeans in the football jar. We’re not winning in volleyball, golf, baseball, basketball, or soccer. Wrestling? Nevermind.
Read the Sunday sports section of the Fresno Bee for a good take by an L.A.-area high school wrestling coach on our continued desire to compete in big time college football (not possible) at the expense of success in the wrestling hotbead of the Central Valley.
Blumpkin Flynt • Sep 17, 2007 at 3:58 am
aaauugggghhh—-nasty game. What direction is this football program going? 0 for the last 8 in BCS matchups, no conference titles since, since…..when? Good thing we’re putting all our jellybeans in the football jar. We’re not winning in volleyball, golf, baseball, basketball, or soccer. Wrestling? Nevermind.
Read the Sunday sports section of the Fresno Bee for a good take by an L.A.-area high school wrestling coach on our continued desire to compete in big time college football (not possible) at the expense of success in the wrestling hotbead of the Central Valley.
Karen • Sep 15, 2007 at 7:45 am
Our DOGS should be filled w/ energy, fire, enthusiasm and just a bit of frustration to prove that we can take on ’em Ducks! It’s always a natural high coming home w/ a win in the other stadium. JUST DO IT DOGS!
B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S, Go Dogs Go, Fight Dogs Fights, GOOOOOOOO Dogs!!!
Karen • Sep 15, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Our DOGS should be filled w/ energy, fire, enthusiasm and just a bit of frustration to prove that we can take on ’em Ducks! It’s always a natural high coming home w/ a win in the other stadium. JUST DO IT DOGS!
B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S, Go Dogs Go, Fight Dogs Fights, GOOOOOOOO Dogs!!!
Stacy Auredt • Sep 14, 2007 at 3:49 pm
We’re gonna get romped on this weekend after that tough loss to Texas Agriculture and Mechanics.
Stacy Auredt • Sep 14, 2007 at 10:49 pm
We’re gonna get romped on this weekend after that tough loss to Texas Agriculture and Mechanics.
Jimmy Graben • Sep 14, 2007 at 11:29 am
Um, last time I checked Marlon Moore was the one who lost us the game last week, so I don’t see him as being equal to the Oregon receivers who actually scored when Dixon threw them the ball. Bear Pascoe is good but can’t do it all by himself.
Jimmy Graben • Sep 14, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Um, last time I checked Marlon Moore was the one who lost us the game last week, so I don’t see him as being equal to the Oregon receivers who actually scored when Dixon threw them the ball. Bear Pascoe is good but can’t do it all by himself.
FSDogs1 • Sep 14, 2007 at 9:42 am
Gotta disagree with you on those matchups…I think Pascoe, Moore & Co. are equal to Paysinger-Colvin & Co. But the thing about Oregon’s WRs is they’re all giants…and OL is even and special teams has to go to the ‘Dogs.
Also, you commented that Masse and Jackson are inexperienced on the OL, but Masse was a starter for part of last year and Jackson is a future star. He might be an upgrade from McDowell (but with less experience). Just look at the A&M game, no one would know two starting OL were out of that one…they came in a filled the holes. Still, Popovich is so good that he’s always going to leave some sort of void.
I agree with you on the DBs, but you left out Oregon’s best defensive player, rover Patrick Chung. He’s the leader of that secondary, and by far the most physical guy they’ve got.
FSDogs1 • Sep 14, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Gotta disagree with you on those matchups…I think Pascoe, Moore & Co. are equal to Paysinger-Colvin & Co. But the thing about Oregon’s WRs is they’re all giants…and OL is even and special teams has to go to the ‘Dogs.
Also, you commented that Masse and Jackson are inexperienced on the OL, but Masse was a starter for part of last year and Jackson is a future star. He might be an upgrade from McDowell (but with less experience). Just look at the A&M game, no one would know two starting OL were out of that one…they came in a filled the holes. Still, Popovich is so good that he’s always going to leave some sort of void.
I agree with you on the DBs, but you left out Oregon’s best defensive player, rover Patrick Chung. He’s the leader of that secondary, and by far the most physical guy they’ve got.