Matt Weir / The Collegian

Ryan Colburn admitted that he was a bit nervous in his first start under center for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Before Saturday night̢۪s contest against the UC Davis Aggies, Colburn had only thrown five passes collegiately.

The lefty out of Visalia had waited four years for this opportunity to be Fresno State̢۪s go-to guy, but he didn̢۪t even have to attempt a pass in his first offensive drive of the 2009 season.

Actually he only had to throw the ball nine times, thanks to 310 rushing yards from the Bulldogs.

Colburn and four other Bulldogs had rushing touchdowns against the Aggies and Fresno State cruised to a 51-0 beatdown over UC Davis to begin its season 1-0.

Although he did throw an interception on Saturday, Colburn said he was pleased with how the Bulldogs looked offensively.

“It’s been a long road for me,â€Â Colburn said. “I was very excited to finally lead my own ship in a sense. It was a lot of fun.â€Â

After putting Fresno State up 7-0 with a one-yard run in the first quarter, Colburn was able to air things out in the second quarter with a 92-yard bomb to senior wideout Marlon Moore.

Colburn hit Moore perfectly in stride to give the ‘Dogs a 28-0 lead. The Bulldogs’ quarterback finished 5-for-9 passing with 161 yards.

Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller, Ebahn Feathers and true freshman Robbie Rouse all rushed for scores, while Mathews̢۪ touchdown was from 60 yards out to put the Bulldogs up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Mathews rushed for 106 yards and didn̢۪t play much in the second half.

Coach Pat Hill thought it was an all-around solid effort for his team against the Aggies, but knows it will be more of a challenge next weekend when the Bulldogs take on Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.

“We’ve got some great competition coming up,â€Â Hill said. “But you know what, because of the competition we’re playing, the rewards are high. If you want to get in the derby that’s the type of schedule you have to play.â€Â

And Fresno State̢۪s schedule in September is nothing less than brutal.

The Bulldogs will play the Wisconsin Badgers this Saturday at 9 a.m. Pacific time, followed by a Friday night home game against Boise State on September 18.

Fresno State then heads to Cincinnati for another 9 a.m, (Fresno time) kickoff against the Big East-champion Bearcats.

Linebacker Nico Herron, who returned an interception for a touchdown against the Aggies, said Fresno State̢۪s shutout against the Aggies was a big confidence booster and a great way to prepare for the Badgers.

“The biggest key (next week) will be to focus on our job and not the crowd,â€Â Herron said. “If my job is to cover the tight end, then I’ll cover the tight end. My eyes need to be on him and not 80,000 people in the crowd.â€Â

Fresno State ended up with 511 total yards against UC Davis, with 334 of those coming in the first half.

Overall the Bulldogs did almost everything right: they blocked a field goal attempt, swatted a punt, picked up a safety defensively and even held the Aggies to 43 yards rushing.

But for Colburn and his team it̢۪s time to wipe the slate clean.

No one forgets last season̢۪s 13-10 loss at home to the Badgers and Wisconsin hasn̢۪t a lost a non-conference game at home since UNLV defeated them in 2003.

Although it was a treat to have 37,000 fans supporting him in his first start as a Bulldog, it will be a completely different story for Colburn with 80,000 rooting for him to fail in Madison.

“We thought we let them off the hook last year,â€Â Colburn said. “But they’re a different team this year just like we are. We have to come and execute.â€Â