Joseph Edgecomb / The Collegian
Fresno State Bulldogs (5-4, 2-3 WAC) vs. New Mexico State Aggies (3-6, 1-4 WAC)
Breakdown: Bulldogs
Saturday̢۪s game against New Mexico State will be the final home game this season for Fresno State. The final home game of the season marks Senior Day, the last game for 12 Bulldog seniors at Bulldog Stadium.
The year has not lived up to the preseason hype and the seniors admit that the season has not gone as planned.
Fresno State began the season with BCS dreams and many fans counted the programs̢۪ first WAC title since 1999.
Now Pat Hill̢۪s team will need to win to get into the top half of the conference and keep a postseason bowl birth alive.
On offense, senior Tom Brandstater will look to connect to his favorite target throughout his time with the Bulldogs, senior tight end Bear Pascoe.
Although they are both healing from injuries, senior tackles Bobby Lepori and Kenny Avon will both hope to start Saturday.
On the defense, senior linemen Ikenna Ike and Jon Monga will need to get pressure on New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook to slow down the Aggies̢۪ attack.
Hopefully the seniors will not end up going 1-4 at home in their final season.
Breakdown: Aggies
The New Mexico State Aggies haven̢۪t beat the Bulldogs in 14 tries, but Hal Mumme̢۪s team would like nothing better than to spoil Senior Day for the Bulldogs.
The Aggies have only one win in the conference, but that was a 48-point effort over Nevada at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev.
New Mexico State ranks fourth in the WAC in scoring offense, averaging 24 points per game.
Senior quarterback Chase Holbrook is the leader of Mumme̢۪s Air Raid offense that averages 308.3 yards per game through the air to lead the conference.
Holbrook̢۪s No. 1 target is senior wide receiver Chris Williams. After missing last season with a collarbone injury, Williams has regained his 2006 first team, all-conference form.
He leads the WAC, averaging 7.22 receptions per game, 15.5 yards per catch and has seven touchdown catches.
Williams is the only receiver in the conference with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
Senior A.J. Harris averages 5.89 catches per game.
The Aggies may not be playing for a bowl, but they could be a spoiler and pick up their first ever win against Fresno State.
Photo Courtesy of NMS Media Relations
Same Old Mexico State…
NMS Player to Watch:
Chase Holbrook, Quarterback
Wins against: UTEP, Alcorn State, Nevada
Losses to: Nebraska, New Mexico, San Jose State, Idaho, Boise State, Hawaii
Head coach: Hal Mumme (Fourth season, 11-35)
Offense: The Air Raid
Defense: 3-4
Key players: WR Chris Williams, WR A.J. Harris, FS Derrick Richardson
Series record: Fresno State leads 14-0
Last meeting: 2007 – Fresno State won 30-23 in Las Cruces
Point Spread: Fresno State is favored by 17 points
Keys to Victory
1. Get the ground game going.
The only team in the conference with a worse run defense than Fresno State is New Mexico State. The Bulldogs need to re-establish the power running game.
2. Lock down Chris Williams.
Williams is bar none the best receiver in the WAC. The Bulldogs̢۪ secondary needs to acknowledge this and lock down on coverage.
3. Play like seniors.
Tom Brandstater, Bear Pascoe, Jon Monga and Bobby Lepori need to take control of the game.
Bryan Cole / The Collegian
Position matchups
Fresno State Player to Watch:
Desia Dunn, Cornerback
When Fresno State runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
The Aggies rush defense is the second-worst in the conference, only to Fresno State. With Lonyae Miller back in full health the Bulldogs should be back on track.
When New Mexico State runs:
Advantage – New Mexico State
The achilles heel of Fresno State is its rush defense. The Aggies don̢۪t run the ball much, but everyone has been able to this season against Fresno State.
When Fresno State passes:
Advantage – Fresno State
Brandstater doesn̢۪t have a 300-yard game this season, but Senior Day could be it. Bear Pascoe should be healthy and Seyi Ajirotutu has become a premier target.
When New Mexico State passes:
Advantage – New Mexico State
The Aggies’ bread and butter is putting the ball in the air. Their offense is called the Air Raid — enough said.
Special teams:
Advantage – Fresno State
Last week, the Bulldogs didn̢۪t have any blunders and A.J. Jefferson took a kick to the house, regaining his All-American form.
By Jimmy Graben and Logan Hopkins / The Collegian