Junior Brian Burrell impressed in Saturday’s conference matchup at New Mexico, in which he passed for 318 yards and scored four total touchdowns — three through the air and one on the ground.
His breakout performance helped lift the Bulldogs past the Lobos 35-24 and to their first conference win.
Bulldogs head coach Tim DeRuyter is content with the play of his quarterback as of late and feels that as his confidence level rises, so does his play.
“I think last week was really big confidence-wise for him,” DeRuyter said. “We’ve seen him each week getting better, and last week he kept adding to that. [It was] particularly in the second half [against New Mexico] where he’s seeing the field better, seeing the blitzes better, getting in the right plays and throwing the ball on time.
“He’s also making effective plays in the read-zone game with pulling it and running. When you make plays like that, it does nothing but help your confidence. We’re pleased with where Brian’s at, but we’ve also had to go through the tape and show him some things we need to continue to clean up.”
With being Burrell’s top target, senior wide receiver Josh Harper is one that has noticed and witnessed the progression of his quarterback up close and personal.
“He’s getting real comfortable out there,” Harper said. “You can tell by the way he’s making the calls and the throws he’s making. He’s getting better every day, and I can see the improvement he’s going through.”
The signal caller backed up Raiders’ starting quarterback Derek Carr last season and figured to have full duties at the position before Brandon Connette transferred from Duke and turned quarterback situation into a battle between the two for the starting job.
Burrell and Connette were neck-and-neck throughout training camp until recently, when Burrell started receiving a majority of the reps due to Connette’s hand injury.
Burrell has started every game this season for the ‘Dogs, but only played full-time in two games: Sept. 13 against Nebraska and Southern Utah two weeks ago. Having obtained more reps, especially during games, have aided in Burrell’s progress and get him to playing on the level that he is.
“Practice always helps,” Burrell said, “but there’s nothing like game reps. I’m getting used to the speed, and it’s a little easier now that we’re not playing USC. But getting more game reps has really been helping me.”
Burrell has thrown for 888 yards and eight touchdowns on the year and also ranks second on the team in rushing with 179 yards and two scores.
The Bakersfield native looks to add to those numbers Friday when the Bulldogs square off against San Diego State for the “Night in Navy” game, in which the Bulldogs will sport new uniforms.
“I think it just builds confidence for me every week we win and every week that we do good,” Burrell said. “I think as a whole our confidence is going up
“I just try to go out there and help the team win,” he said.
Harper, Holmes leave team for personal reasons
Bulldogs head coach Tim DeRuyter announced Tuesday night that Fresno State defensive backs Bryan Harper and Justin Holmes have left the team for personal reasons.
“We appreciate their contribution and wish them well,” DeRuyter said.
Harper, a redshirt sophomore, transferred to Fresno State after playing for Arizona in 2012, but had to sit out last season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. He started for the Bulldogs at corner in Weeks 1 and 2 against USC and Utah but played in every game so far this season. He recorded 15 tackles in his five games played.
Holmes, a redshirt freshman and Fresno native appeared on special teams in the past two games for the Bulldogs but did not post any statistics.