In the span of one offseason, Fresno State’s defense has gone from a tie for dead last in forced turnovers among Football Bowl Subdivision schools, to leading the nation in the category.
Five games into the season, the Bulldogs (3-2, 1-0) have forced 16 turnovers. It is a drastic improvement from last year, when they recorded nine turnovers in 13 games.
Fresno State caused five turnovers””three interceptions and two forced fumbles”” in Saturday’s 52-40 Mountain West Conference win against San Diego State.
Coach Tim DeRuyter said earlier in the year that the goal for the season was set at a now-modest 20 turnovers. The actual ideal goal, he said, is 30.
Part of the transformation from last year’s defense has been because of the added emphasis on creating turnovers, DeRuyter said.
“Our guys play fast, and they attack the football. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. The numbers have been good. We’ve got good players on defense.
“Right now, we’re at 16 takeaways. That’s not very good for the year. We need to continue this. If we continue this pace, I’ll be pleased.”
Senior safety Phillip Thomas’ five interceptions lead the nation, as well.
“Phillip’s done a tremendous job of adapting to our scheme,” DeRuyter said. “He’s playing fast, and when you play fast, you can make plays.”
Thomas had two interceptions on Saturday. It was his second game of the season where he recorded two or more interceptions.
“He’s doing what Phillip Thomas should do,” defensive coordinator Nick Toth said. “Special players should make special plays. Phillip’s an NFL football player. When you have those guys, they’d better make plays because if they don’t, you’re in trouble”” because you count on those guys to do that.”
Bulldogs face struggling Rams
Fresno State will play at Colorado State (1-4, 0-1) on Saturday. It is the first of two consecutive away games. The Bulldogs are winless on the road so far this season. On Saturday, the Rams will start backup quarterback M.J. McPeek, a 6-foot-4-inch fifth-year senior.
Sophomore starter Garrett Grayson left Saturday’s 41-21 loss to Air Force early in the first quarter with a broken collarbone.
Against the Falcons, McPeek completed 22 of 34 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“He’s a bigger kid, a little more physically imposing. This kid’s a big physically imposing guy that we have to be ready to hit,” Toth said.
Colorado State boasts running back Chris Nwoke in its backfield. Nwoke earned all-conference honors last season after rushing for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns.
“If we can stop the run and get guys in a predictable second-and-long, third-and- long, we feel that’s an effective formula to win football games,” DeRuyter said.
The Bulldogs defense will focus on stopping Colorado State’s run game early in the game, Toth said.
“They’re a good running team,” Toth said. “They’ve got two really thick backs that are hard runners. They’re good at throwing the ball off their run game. So we’ve got to always stop the run first and then do as good of a job as we can against the pass.”
This season, the Rams have faced woes in the first quarter. In five games, the Rams have been outscored 61-10.
The Bulldogs’ next home game is on Oct. 20 against Wyoming.
Easing Toma back to action
Junior middle linebacker Jeremiah Toma, a team captain this year, suited up for the first time this season on Saturday.
Toma played sparingly in the game and was listed second on the depth chart behind junior Patrick Su’a. Su’a totaled six tackles and a sack against San Diego State.
DeRuyter said he plans on gradually increasing Toma’s workload in practice to ease him back into action and further increase the depth at the middle linebacker positions.
“He only played a few plays. That was by design,” DeRuyter said. “He hasn’t played a whole lot of scrimmage reps. It was good to have him out there. He brings energy to the huddle. We’ll increase his this week in practice and hopefully that’ll translate into Saturday.”
Toma was also a team captain last year as a sophomore. He started in every game.
“It’s a big lift for us””both his playing ability, but also his leadership,” Toth said. “It’ll be good to have some depth there.”