In my third year here at Fresno State, you could say I’ve suffered through my fair share of painful-to-watch Bulldog football games.
Wisconsin anyone? Yeah, I was a witness, as most of you were as well, and felt the agony as Kevin Goessling’s kicks sailed wide, leading to another Bulldog loss at the hands of a formidable opponent.
You can’t forget during that same season when Fresno State was neck-and-neck at halftime 13-10 with rival Boise State in the regular season finale. What ensued beyond that point was like a scene from D-Day. The Broncos tore off 51-unanswered second-half points, and what looked so promising at the start resulted in an even more degrading defeat.
And last, but certainly not least, last year’s three-game stretch at Wisconsin, home against Boise State, and at Cincinnati that was essentially 14 days gift-wrapped with letdowns. A double-overtime loss to the Badgers preceded a disheartening chance to upset the then No. 10 Broncos. The Bearcats capped off the Triple Crown, edging the ‘Dogs 28-20 despite Fresno State absolutely owning the time of possession.
If a few plays go Fresno State’s way in any those games, then who knows what America’s perception would be of the Bulldogs? The thing is, Fresno State football’s trend has been beat the little guys and test the strong ones.
But that was then, and after Fresno State’s performance against Cincinnati a week ago, we may be trending towards a new “now.”
That’s not to say that the football gods have finally shined their light on Bulldog football and all is saved. But Saturday’s 28-14 win against reigning Big East champion Cincinnati revealed a lot of positive potential for head coach Pat Hill’s squad.
The first positive had to be defensive coordinator Randy Stewart’s unit. What was the past two years’ weakness was essentially the X-factor in the opening-season victory.
Fresno State’s kryptonite has always been mobile quarterbacks, and Cincy definitely has one in Zach Collaros. The ‘Dogs harassed Collaros from the first snap en route to an eight-sack performance.
The second positive came in the form of quarterback Ryan Colburn’s left arm. The senior leader looked everything he didn’t look this time last season. Colburn hung in the pocket, scrambled when necessary, made great decisions and hit his speedsters in stride. It was impossible to say this about Colburn last year, but he looked like a completely different field general.
The third positive, and to me the most important, was the Bulldogs’ toughness. In past years, Fresno State was pushed around up and down the field. I can’t remember, prior to Saturday, the ‘Dogs out-toughing an opponent. The defense hit the Bearcats in the mouth play after play, which softened Cincy by game’s end.
As previously stated, the Bulldogs’ woeful days aren’t completely out of sight, but Fresno State football is definitely aiming up. And if the ‘Dogs can stay on course, we may very well be looking at a Western Athletic Conference showdown against Boise State on Nov. 19.