Matt Weir / The Collegian
Running back void and defense is an early concern for Coach Hill’s squad
With the helmets strapped on and the music roaring in the background, spring football has returned at Valley Growers Field.
The Fresno State football team kicked off spring practice Wednesday going through basic drills and fundamentals in helmets, shells and shorts. The team will hold 12 practices and two scrimmages in April, before playing their annual Spring Game on May 1 at Bulldog Stadium.
Head coach Pat Hill was ecstatic to finally get back to work.
“It’s always exciting, a lot of new faces,” Hill said. “A lot of teaching to do. Over the next 15 days, we’ll find out a lot about our new players.”
The ‘Dogs are looking to replace numerous players at the skilled positions. The team lost both starting wide receivers to graduation as well as running backs Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding, two very productive players the past four years.
Ryan Mathews, the Fresno State all-time rushing touchdown leader, also left school a year early for the NFL Draft. Sophomores Robbie Rouse, Michael Harris and AJ Ellis will all be asked to compete for the starting position this spring. Rouse hopes that he’ll be able to be the player who fills in for the departed athletes.
“I’m going to do whatever I can to be the starting running back,” Rouse said.
As a true freshman, Rouse ran for 479 yards while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He finished second on the team with four rushing touchdowns. He played in every game last season except for the contest against Utah State.
Rouse said he will use this spring to cement his status as a starting running back, not only as a change-of-pace back, but as a full-time starter.
“Of course [I feel]I could carry the load, [or] “I wouldn’t be here,” Rouse said. “Coach wouldn’t have me here if I couldn’t. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could.”
Hill said that Rouse has a great opportunity ahead of him, and that Rouse has a good shot at being the every-down back for the ‘Dogs.
“He could be. He’s one of the candidates,” Hill said. “He’s the only guy we have on this football team who has any game experience at that position.”
While Rouse is the only player with gameday experience, the starting nod won’t be handed to him. He’s going to have to earn it.
“Robbie Rouse, I think he’s a very good player, but he’s going to have to prove it,” Hill said.
Replacing players on offense is not the only thing that will be addressed this spring. The coaches are also looking to revamp the defense.
“We got to replace our corners and the safeties,” Hill said.
The ‘Dogs will reload the defensive front seven and secondary with playmakers and ball hawks. Defensive backs Isaiah Green and Phillip Thomas are expected to contribute this spring at the cornerback and safety positions respectively. Sophomore linebacker Travis Brown is also expected to play a larger role.
During position and team drills, the defense concentrated mostly on stripping the ball from the offensive players. Creating turnovers has been rare for Bulldog defense in the past, the ‘Dogs finished tied for last in the WAC last season with 15 takeaways.
The defense will use this spring to work on their deficiencies.
“Our motto this spring, this season, is making plays,” senior safety Lorne Bell said. “We gotta get picks. That’s what’s gonna take us to the next step on defense, is getting these turnovers, these interceptions.”