Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian
WEEK 3 PREVIEW
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, AT 5:15 P.M., GLASS BOWL (TOLEDO, OH)
No. 25 Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 WAC) at Toledo Rockets (1-1, 1-0 MAC)
TELEVISION: ESPNU (Available on DirecTV) and ESPN360.com
RADIO: KMJ-AM 580 AND KGST-AM 1600 (ESPN DEPORTES)
Breakdown: Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will look to rebound this week against Toledo, following a heart-breaking loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Wisconsin game was billed as the biggest in Valley history and Fresno State must now avoid a skid like 2006 when the Bulldogs lost seven straight games.
Going on the road is never easy, but the Bulldogs cannot afford to drop two in a row.
The Bulldogs̢۪ special teams must make a statement against Toledo and recover from a poor performance against Wisconsin.
Kicker Kevin Goessling and punt-returner Marlon Moore must regain the confidence of fans and teammates with breakthrough performances against the Rockets.
The defense has given up only 20 points in the first two games of the year and kept the Bulldogs in the game against Wisconsin.
On the other side of the ball, the offense has had a tough time putting points on the board, especially in the first half.
New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has two games under his belt and should be able to get things going this week against the Rockets̢۪ defense.
Toledo will be ready for the Bulldogs and this game will not be a runaway for Fresno State.
Breakdown: Rockets
The Rockets are where Fresno State was last week.
Toledo is preparing for its home opener against the biggest opponent it will match up with this season.
The Rockets are coming off a big win over conference opponent Eastern Michigan and the Bulldogs are trying to rebound off of a demoralizing loss.
Toledo faced off with Fresno State back in 2005 in Fresno, losing 44-14 at Bulldog Stadium.
But, the 2008 version of Toledo features a high-powered offense that can strike anywhere at anytime.
Quarterback Aaron Opelt leads a spread offense anchored by wide receiver Stephen Williams.
The 6-foot-5, 199-pound receiver has 115 yards receiving this season and three touchdown catches.
Tailback DaJuane Collins had a career game last week, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Collins gives the Rockets a solid contributor in the running attack to complement the passing game.
Defensively, the Rockets run an unconventional 4-2-5 scheme anchored by strong safety Barry Church, who has 17 tackles this season.
Toledo provides a crossroads for the Bulldogs that will determine which direction their season will go.
And the Rockets’ red glare…
Toledo Player to Watch:
Stephen Williams, wide receiver
Wins against: Eastern Michigan (41-17) last weekend in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Losses to: Arizona (41-16) on the road, week one in Tuscon, Ari.
Head coach: Tom Amstutz (Eigth season, 56-33)
Offense: The spread
Defense: 4-2-5
Key players: WR Nick Moore, RB DaJuane Collins, QB Aaron Opelt, SS Barry Church
Series record: Fresno State leads 1-0
Last meeting: Fresno State beat Toledo, 44-14, in Fresno.
Point Spread: Fresno State is favored by seven points.
Keys to Victory
1. Dominate special teams.
There were several shortcomings last week in special teams. The Bulldogs are known to excel in this area and need to play up this week.
2. Score in the first half!
The Bulldogs̢۪ offense has been stagnant in the first half this season. Some early points would really boost the team̢۪s confidence.
3. Have a short memory.
A tough loss can take the life out of a team. The Bulldogs need to prove everyone wrong and bounce back with an impressive road win.
Joseph Edgecomb
Position match-ups
Fresno State Player to Watch:
Tom Brandstater, Quarterback
When Fresno State runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
Ryan Mathews and the rest of the tailbacks will find their groove this week and carry the offense.
When Toledo runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
If the Bulldogs can hold P.J. Hill in check, then they should have few problems facing Toledo̢۪s backs.
When Fresno State passes:
Advantage – Toledo
The passing game hasn̢۪t been able to find the end zone yet. Toledo̢۪s Barry Church poses a formiddable threat in the secondary.
When Toledo passes:
Advantage – Fresno State
The defense has been stout in the secondary. Sharrod Davis will have quite the challenge matching up with Toledo̢۪s Stephen Williams.
Special teams:
Advantage – Toledo
The Bulldogs need to get back on track in this area. With the home crowd behind them for the first time this season, the Rockets will look to take full advantage of special teams opportunities.
By Jimmy Graben and Logan Hopkins
Chris • Sep 19, 2008 at 2:53 am
Nothing will ever change as long as Pat Hill is the coach at Fresno State. Playing not to lose instead of trying to win games has a twelve year track record of failure and yet Pat Hill will never change. Let Brandstater call the plays instead of the failure Hill or Nussloser.
For all the talk of big-time college football, Hill has never learned that in college football you are supposed to RUN UP THE SCORE!!!!! Take a lesson from Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, or Les Miles. You may have heard of these somewhat successful head coaches who have agressive playcalling for 60 minutes a game and try to score touchdowns every time they have the ball. Maybe Hill can try punting with 14:30 to go in the second quarter on 1st and 10 in the upcoming game. With the idiot Conservative Hill at the helm, anything is possible. LET BRANDSTATER CALL THE PLAYS AND SCORE SOME FREAKIN POINTS!!!!
Chris • Sep 19, 2008 at 9:53 am
Nothing will ever change as long as Pat Hill is the coach at Fresno State. Playing not to lose instead of trying to win games has a twelve year track record of failure and yet Pat Hill will never change. Let Brandstater call the plays instead of the failure Hill or Nussloser.
For all the talk of big-time college football, Hill has never learned that in college football you are supposed to RUN UP THE SCORE!!!!! Take a lesson from Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, or Les Miles. You may have heard of these somewhat successful head coaches who have agressive playcalling for 60 minutes a game and try to score touchdowns every time they have the ball. Maybe Hill can try punting with 14:30 to go in the second quarter on 1st and 10 in the upcoming game. With the idiot Conservative Hill at the helm, anything is possible. LET BRANDSTATER CALL THE PLAYS AND SCORE SOME FREAKIN POINTS!!!!
Chris • Sep 19, 2008 at 9:53 am
Nothing will ever change as long as Pat Hill is the coach at Fresno State. Playing not to lose instead of trying to win games has a twelve year track record of failure and yet Pat Hill will never change. Let Brandstater call the plays instead of the failure Hill or Nussloser.
For all the talk of big-time college football, Hill has never learned that in college football you are supposed to RUN UP THE SCORE!!!!! Take a lesson from Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, or Les Miles. You may have heard of these somewhat successful head coaches who have agressive playcalling for 60 minutes a game and try to score touchdowns every time they have the ball. Maybe Hill can try punting with 14:30 to go in the second quarter on 1st and 10 in the upcoming game. With the idiot Conservative Hill at the helm, anything is possible. LET BRANDSTATER CALL THE PLAYS AND SCORE SOME FREAKIN POINTS!!!!