Juan Villa / The Collegian
Fresno State Bulldogs (3-2, 2-0 WAC) at Idaho Vandals (1-5, 0-2 WAC)
Gameday: Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Kibbie Dome (Moscow, Idaho)
Television: Bulldog Sports Network (Comcast Channel 5, KFRE-59)
Radio: KMJ-AM 580 and KGST-AM 1600 (ESPN Deportes)
Pre-game Show: Dog Talk at noon (KMJ-AM 580)
Bulldogs’ Three Keys to Victory:
1)Keep the running game rolling. Last week’s offensive explosion was fueled by the Bulldogs’ stable of young running backs. If they get proper holes, they will dominate once again.
2) Put pressure on Idaho̢۪s line. The Vandals have allowed a league-worst 18 sacks this season. Getting in the backfield early and rattling their inexperienced quarterback will give the Bulldogs an advantage.
3) Adjust to the environment. The Kibbie Dome is very odd in its setup. Fresno State will need to adjust accordingly to playing inside and on field turf for the first time this season. It is also the smallest venue in college football.
Tidbits from the Tater State…
Last Week: Lost 20-28 at San Jose State
2006 Record: 4-8, 3-5 WAC (6th)
Head Coach: Robb Akey (First Season)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Multiple
Key Players: LB David Vobora, CB Stanley Franks, SS Shiloh Keo
Series Record: Fresno State leads 5-4
Last Meeting: 2006 – Fresno State won 34-0 in Fresno
Position Match-ups
When Fresno State Runs: Fresno State
The Bulldogs running game is on fire right now. Expect more of the same against Idaho̢۪s defensive line.
When Idaho Runs: Idaho
The loss of Shirley and skill of Jackson combines for an advantage in the running game for the Vandals.
When Fresno State Passes: Idaho
Franks and Keo are hawks in the Vandals̢۪ secondary. Brandstater will need to keep them guessing all day.
When Idaho Passes: Fresno State
The Vandals̢۪ passing game is basically non-existent with the loss of Enderle.
When Fresno State Kicks: Idaho
Keo leads the league with a 20.8 yard punt return average. Clint Stitser has been struggling as of late and is only 3 off 7 on the season in field goals.
When Idaho Kicks: Fresno State
Clifton Smith and A.J. Jefferson make Fresno State dynamic on both return teams. Bear Pascoe is a field goal blocking machine.
Breakdown: Bulldogs
The Bulldogs finally came out of their shell last week and showed fans the explosive offense people had been expecting. Although the score did not indicate it, Fresno State dominated Nevada on both sides of the ball last weekend. However, giving up over 700 yards of offense is never a good thing. But a win is a win, and the Bulldogs are 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Fresno State continues its homecoming tour this week against the Idaho Vandals in Moscow. Since Idaho̢۪s inception into the WAC in 2005, the Bulldogs have outscored them 74-10, while going 2-0. Fresno State would like to return to Bulldog Stadium next weekend for homecoming with a 3-0 mark in conference play.
Offense:
̢ۢ The Bulldogs̢۪ running attack was absolutely dynamite against the Wolf Pack last week. The running backs combined to rush for 307 yards, averaging 808 yards per carry. Leading the way was true freshman Ryan Mathews, who gained 171 yards and scored three times en route to winning WAC Offensive Player of the Week. Mathews and company will be even scarier this week running on field turf.
̢ۢ Tom Brandstater did not throw the ball much last weekend, only 16 times, but he didn̢۪t have to with the running game̢۪s dominance. This week he will have a hefty task in front of him in the form of Idaho̢۪s secondary.
̢ۢ The offensive line showed great improvement last weekend, opening up holes for the running game and protecting Brandstater. The line has only allowed seven sacks this season, leading the conference.
Defense:
̢ۢ For the second time this season Jason Shirley is out with a suspension. This leaves a huge void in the run defense, which will be faced with stopping Deonte Jackson. Tyler Clutts and Jon Monga have proved to be quite the tandem on the line and should be up for the task.
• The Fresno State pass defense took a step back last week allowing 491 yards in the air. Facing Idaho’s Brian Nooy this week should be a much easier task. Cornerback Damion Owens is questionable for Saturday.
Special Teams:
̢ۢ A.J. Jefferson won WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Nevada. The freshman returned a field goal blocked by Bear Pascoe 40 yards for a score while gaining 108 yards on kick returns. Jefferson is averaging 33.3 yards per return this season, which ranks fifth in the nation.
̢ۢ Clifton Smith is back in form and looking better than ever. He returned a punt 67 yards last weekend for a score.
Breakdown: Vandals
Idaho is coming off of two consecutive conference losses to Hawaii and San Jose State. The Vandals̢۪ one win this season was over lowly Division I-AA team Cal Poly.
In his first season at the helm, head coach Robb Akey is trying to regain prominence for the Idaho program. So far, the Vandals have had difficulties finding their way into the win column. With the Bulldogs coming into the Kibbie Dome for Idaho̢۪s homecoming, the Vandals are focused on getting that first conference win of 2007.
Offense:
̢ۢ Quarterback Nathan Enderle is recovering from surgery on his throwing hand. This leaves fifth-year senior Brian Nooy as the starter. In his first collegiate start against San Jose State last week, Nooy went 8 for 15 passing for 68 yards, while being sacked twice and throwing two interceptions. True freshman Quin Ashley switches off with Nooy and runs the option out of the shotgun, which could provide a spark for the Vandals.
̢ۢ The Vandal offense is centered on redshirt freshman running back Deonte Jackson. He leads the conference in rushing with 678 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 113 yards per game. The Bulldogs̢۪ main focus should be stopping Jackson.
Defense:
̢ۢ Senior linebacker David Vobora is the captain of the defense and for good reason. Vobora is third in the WAC with 65 tackles and last season was an All-WAC First Team selection, leading the conference in tackles with 134.
̢ۢ The defensive secondary is loaded for the Vandals. Leading the way is cornerback Stanley Franks who led the nation with nine interceptions last season. Strong safety Shiloh Keo leads the conference with four picks this season and is third in the nations averaging .67 interceptions per game.
Special Teams:
̢ۢ Keo̢۪s 20.75 yards punt return average leads the WAC and is second nationally.
̢ۢ Kicker Tino Amancio is 7 for 9 on field goals this season with a long of 51 yards.