Fresno State vs. Oregon State Preview

By Eddie Hughes

Bulldogs

Quarterback

With Paul Pinegar still sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle, senior Jeff Grady will start again. Grady was limited against Tennessee by poor offensive line play, throwing for 118 yards. The offense didn’t score. Grady will need a better showing tonight against Oregon State for a Bulldog win.

Running Backs

The running game was nonexistent in the season opener. The Bulldogs rushed for minus-1 yard on 24 attempts. Standout senior Rodney Davis had 13 carries for 16 yards. Coach Pat Hill is a firm believer in establishing the run early, and the Bulldogs must do so to open up the passing game. Sophomore Dwayne Wright entered the game late and made on impact with three receptions. He should get some looks against the Beavers.

Wide Receivers

The Bulldogs excel at receiver, but the problem is the receivers have to get the ball to make their presence felt. H-back Stephen Spach led the team with 37 yards receiving in the opener. The Bulldogs must capitalize on the abilities of Bernard Berrian and Marque Davis.

Offensive Line

The trenches are where the game can be swayed. If the injury-depleted line can put together a better showing than a week ago, the Bulldogs will look like a new team. That’s not a given though with Logan Mankins out for the season. The good news for the team is sophomore Dartagnon Shack practiced all week and will likely play tonight. Shack will provide a big boost to the inexperienced group.

Defensive Line

Tennessee has better blocking than Oregon State does, but this unit still will need to step up the pressure to slow running back Steven Jackson. Tennessee ran at will with numerous backs—none as good as Jackson. The Bulldogs need newcomer Donyell Booker to have more of an impact this week.

Linebackers

Senior Marc Dailey was lost to a sprained right medial collateral ligament. He’ll be replaced by redshirt freshman Dwayne Andrews in the starting lineup. Senior Bryce McGill had eight tackles in the opener, tied for the most on the team. This unit will be crucial for the Bulldogs to slow Jackson.

Defensive Backs

Sophomore cornerback Awan Diles was impressive, with an early game interception, as the replacement for Kendall Edwards in the opener. Edwards missed the game because his wife had the couple’s first child, but he will play tonight. Sophomore Raymond Washington also had eight tackles and enters the game as the team’s top corner. Sophomore Tyrone Culver will start at free safety over Dee Meza.

Special Teams

Kicker Brett Visintainer didn’t have any field goal opportunities in the opener. The Bulldogs botched a couple plays in the opener; a bad snap on a failed extra-point and a 5-yard punt by redshirt freshman Mike Lingua. The return game was above average and could be a difference-maker tonight.

Coaching

Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner gets the tough task of getting his younger players to step up and fill in for the injured Mankins. Under Hill, the Bulldogs are 1-2 against the Beavers.

Intangibles

The Bulldogs are 7-5 all-time against Oregon State, and the Beavers have never won at Bulldog Stadium in five tries. Last time the teams met in Fresno, in 2001, the Bulldogs beat Sports Illustrated’s No. 1 team 44-24.

Beavers

Quarterback

Junior Derek Anderson (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon State’s opener against Division I-AA Sacramento State. Anderson threw for 3,313 yards, 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. He completed only 45 percent of his passes against the Bulldogs in 2002.

Edge: Beavers

Running Backs

Junior Steven Jackson (6-3, 233) is one of the nation’s top backs. He was ranked as the No. 7 candidate for the Heisman Trophy by ESPN. Jackson rushed for 1,690 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2002. He had 227 yards against Fresno State a year ago.

Edge: Beavers

Wide Receivers

Senior James Newson had 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns on 74 receptions last season. Newson, Oregon State’s single-season receiving yardage record-holder, missed the season opener with a hip pointer but is expected to return tonight. Senior Kenny Farley (6-3, 227) and junior George Gillett are the other starters.

Edge: Bulldogs

Offensive Line

The Beavers have the type of experience in this unit the Bulldogs yearn for. Center Matt Brock and tackle Doug Nienhuis have both started 13 straight games. Guard Kana Sanchez (6-3, 334) has started 21 in a row.

Edge: Beavers

Defensive Line

Starting defensive tackles Allan Adami and Lute Croy have two sacks and 35 tackles each. Sophomore Adami leads the team with eight tackles for losses. Senior Croy has four tackles for losses.

Edge: Even

Linebackers

Senior Richard Seigler is one of the best linebackers in the Pacific-10. He had 99 tackles, 12.5 tackles for losses and three interceptions in 2002. The Beavers lost standout Nick Barnett, but have juniors Jonathan Pollard and Seth Lacey coming into increased roles.

Edge: Beavers

Defensive Backs

The Beavers secondary will miss star Dennis Weathersby, but talented junior corner Aric Williams returns. The 6-0 cornerback teams with another tall corner in 6-4 Brandon Browner, a redshirt freshman. Senior safety Lawrence Turner had four interceptions in 2002 and junior safety Mitch Meeuwsen had five.

Edge: Even

Special Teams

Senior kicker Kirk Yliniemi hit 15 of 16 field goals last season. He made two of more than 50 yards. Senior punter Carl Tobey averaged 40.3 yards per punt and put 18 of 74 inside the 20-yard line.

Edge: Beavers

Coaching

Mike Riley is back with the Beavers after leaving after the 1998 season to coach the NFL’s San Diego Chargers. Riley’s career record at Oregon State is 9-14. Former coach Dennis Erickson left after last season when he was hired as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Edge: Bulldogs

Intangibles

The last time the Beavers were in Fresno the home crowd was raucous, tearing down the goalpost after the Bulldogs’ victory. There were also allegations of beer bottles being thrown at the Oregon State sideline. Many of the current Beavers have already experienced Bulldog Stadium, but it will still be a big advantage for Fresno State.

Edge: Bulldogs