Matt Weir / The Collegian
Inconsistency has plagued the Fresno State football team for much of this season.
The Bulldogs have yet to put together a complete game in all three phases: offense, defense and special teams.
“What we got to do is we just got to focus on Fresno State putting a full four-quarter game together in all phases,” Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said. “We’ve had some good phases. We still haven’t played our best football for four quarters in all three phases yet.”
The ‘Dogs have played well in certain stretches this year, but the team has struggled to maintain that consistency through an entire game.
“We’ve had some great runs of consistency, some really good football played at times,” Hill said. “Just putting it all together, I think that’s what everybody is challenged with.”
Not being able to play on a consistent level has arguably cost the ‘Dogs a few wins this year. Injuries to key players, penalties and correctable mistakes are a few of the reasons why the team has struggled with consistency in 2010.
Against Hawaii the ‘Dogs fumbled at the Hawaii 2-yard line after Matt Hunt, an offensive guard, pulled and ran into quarterback Ryan Colburn, causing Colburn to fumble the ball. The fumble all but cost the ‘Dogs a sure touchdown. The offense would then settle for a field goal after recovering the ball at the Hawaii 14-yard line.
“Consistency is what we need to be able to do,” Hill said. “When you’re in a game where every play counts, you can’t have those kind of plays.”
Penalties have also affected the team’s consistency this year. There have been numerous plays where a penalty has been a setback for the offense and defense.
In the second half against Hawaii, the ‘Dogs had two costly penalties that effected the team’s momentum.
The defense was called for pass interference after forcing Hawaii to throw an incomplete pass in the end zone on third down. On the same play, Hawaii was also penalized for a holding call, but because Fresno State also got flagged, the two penalties were offset, giving Hawaii another shot at the end zone. Hawaii would then score on the very next play.
Then there was the catastrophic penalty for a block in the back following Rashad Evans’ 27-yard punt return. Evans’ long return landed the ‘Dogs at the Hawaii 33-yard line, but the penalty negated the return and the ‘Dogs were forced to begin the drive near midfield.
“We just cannot make those kind of mistakes in football games that are going to be closely contested if you don’t make those mistakes,” Hill said. “So from a consistency standpoint, that’s where we need to get a lot better.”
Being only five games into the season, Hill said it’s still not too late for the team to fix their inconsistent ways.
“Our consistency has not been as good as we like it to be,” Hill said. “I think we have time to get our consistency to where we need it and if we do, we’re going to be a heck of a football team down the stretch.”
The team will get the chance to work on its consistency Saturday when it hosts a struggling New Mexico State team at 7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.