No. 23 Fresno State won another close one — this time a 42-37 victory against Hawaii that boosted the Bulldogs two spots in the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches polls.
The Bulldogs’ five turnovers (four in the second half) on offense were one of the causes that led them to lose a 42-3 lead.
Losing grip of the football was what led to three of those turnovers.
Davante Adams and Greg Watson fumbled after pass receptions and running back Josh Quezada lost control of the ball on a fourth-quarter carry.
Ball security has been an emphasis in this week’s practices leading up to the Bulldogs’ road matchup at Idaho (1-4).
“It’s one of the biggest tenants of what we have to do to win,” Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said. “We didn’t do that on Saturday night. That’s the biggest thing we have to correct. We take that very seriously. It’s something we drill all the time.”
The Fresno State wide receivers spent extra time after Tuesday’s practice catching balls from a throwing machine and working on maintaining firm grasp after possession.
Hawaii revisited: Harper delivers in midst ofwideout shuffling
Josh Harper performed in the “clutch” on a night when fellow outside receiver Adams was struggling and slot receiver Isaiah Burse was ejected in the first quarter for “targeting” a player on a hit.”
Harper, a junior, finished the night with a season-high 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine catches.
“He’s been coming up clutch,” DeRuyter said of Harper. “And the advantage that we have here is we have a really good receiver in Davante when he’s playing hard. … And you can’t double-team everyone. I think Josh has taken advantage of that.”
Adams, whose breakout season last year as a redshirt freshman resulted in the conference’s Freshman of the Year honors — and added attention from opposing defenses — caught five passes for 22 yards against Hawaii.
“I think [Davante’s] getting a little frustrated because teams are double-teaming him and trying to cover him with two guys,” DeRuyter said. “He’s got to fight through that. It’s one of those things where you have a good year, you ought to expect and embrace … He’s got to work through that, and we have to coach him through that.”
Harper, meanwhile, has been steadily “developing a rapport and a feel” with quarterback Derek Carr “just like how he has with Davante,” DeRuyter said.
A season-ending injury caused Harper to miss the final seven games of the 2012 season. So far, he has 28 receptions (four more than last season) for 264 yards and six touchdowns.
“It was tough,” Harper said of last year. “It was a hard season to go through. I just took it upon myself this summer with [strength and conditioning coach Joey] Boese to work hard so that type of season wouldn’t happen again.”
Depth development remainsa priority
The plan, DeRuyter said, was to play it by ear and see if the team was in controlagainst Hawaii in the fourth quarter before reserves could be subbed in to get experience.
That was not case. Hawaii scored 34 unanswered points in the second half and cut down Fresno State’s lead — up 42-3 midway through the third quarter — to 42-37 with 7:51 left in the game.
The close games the Bulldogs have won against the Rainbow Warriors, Rutgers (52-51) and Boise State (41-40) have limited Fresno State’s opportunities to give reserves in-game experience. DeRuyter and offensive coordinator Dave Schramm planned to sub backup quarterback Brian Burrell in for Carr in the fourth quarter if the Bulldogs had maintained their large lead.
Burrell and most of the reserves’ action this season was in the second half of Fresno State’s 41-25 win over Cal Poly on Sept. 7.
“It’s always a delicate mix between trying to develop your team and finishing a ball game,” DeRuyter said. “And obviously, we cut it perilously close last week because we were turning the ball over. You don’t want to be up 40 points in the fourth quarter and your starting quarterback gets hurt, then you’re the dumbest coach in America. That’s the reality of it, and so you have to strike the balance of where it is.
“Unfortunately, we went back in the game and turned the ball over. We didn’t get to the point to have that decision.”
Sophomore Justin Johnson and freshmen Delvon Hardaway and Da’Mari Scott, the receivers “who are right there ready to get more reps” were expected to receive playing time against Hawaii, said wide receivers coach Ron Antoine.
Greg Watson and Aaron Peck received considerable playing time against the Rainbow Warriors. Both grabbed three receptions for a combined 99 yards.
“Most of those guys are a twisted ankle away from being the starter,” Antoine said.
“You want to get them in the game, getting the live experience when the lights are on and the game’s on the line. It is in the back of your mind all the time.”