Bulldogs outlast Beavers

By Zack Walton

With its collective back to the wall, on its own goal line, the Fresno State defense took a stance and stopped the Beavers dead in their tracks.

“ That was the turning point for us,” said Bulldog defensive end Claude Sanders.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, Oregon State drove down the field looking for the game-clinching touchdown. With first-and-goal from the Fresno State 4-yard line the Beavers gave the ball to their fourth all-time leading rusher, Steven Jackson, only to see him stuffed four straight times by the determined Bulldog defense.

On fourth down, Oregon State lined up for a 19-yard field goal attempt by Kirk Yliniemi which was blocked by Marcus McCauley, only to have the officials rule a Bulldog player illegally batted the ball after it was blocked, forcing the teams to replay the down.

On the next play, Oregon State coach Mike Riley decided to go for the touchdown and saw Jackson stopped again by the Bulldog defense.

With the game on the line, the pressure did not reside on someone’s shoulders, instead it settled heavily on the right leg of Bulldogs’ kicker Brett Visintainer.

Fresno State pulled ahead 13-7 with a pair of field goals by Visintainer, only to lose the lead when Derek Anderson found Oregon State wide receiver Mike Hass for a 39-yard touchdown pass on the last offensive play of the third quarter.

After the tide-turning goal line stand by the Fresno State defense, the offense found itself down by one, 88 yards from the end zone with two minutes, 54 seconds left in the game.

Facing third-and-10, Fresno State quarterback Jeff Grady found Berrian for a 33-yard strike, moving the Bulldogs near mid-field. Five plays later, the Bulldogs faced third down again, this time from the Oregon State 30-yard line.

Fresno State coach Pat Hill called a timeout and summoned Visintainer to attempt the winning field goal from 47 yards. With 36 seconds left, Visintainer stood in front of 35,553 red-clad fans and drilled a clutch kick through the uprights.

“ We talked about bringing big time football to the Valley,” Hill said. “Well, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

After struggling to move the ball offensively for nearly six quarters of football, the Bulldogs established themselves, scoring their first offensive touchdown of the season by taking the ball 96 yards in five plays. The 53-second drive culminated with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Grady to a wide-open Bernard Berrian who leisurely danced his way into the end zone tying the game 7-7.

The Fresno State offense was given the opportunity to tie the game because of the defensive effort put forth in the second quarter. After allowing Jackson, No. 7 on ESPN’s preseason list of Heisman candidates, 68 yards rushing in the first quarter the Bulldogs’ defense held the talented Jackson to a stingy five yards on the ground in the second quarter.

“ Jackson kept looking for the cutback, so we started looking for it also,” said senior linebacker Bryce McGill.

After the defensive adjustment, the Bulldogs were able to concentrate on the Beaver’s passing game.

In a game that featured eight interceptions, three thrown by Grady and five by Anderson, the defensive backs spent an unusual amount of time with the football in their hands.

The Bulldogs’ defense hounded the erratic Anderson and took advantage of opportunities by intercepting five passes.

“ These young guys are amazing athletically,” said senior free safety Dee Meza, who had the first two interceptions for the Bulldogs, about the young Fresno State secondary.

The Bulldogs defense stepped up and made big plays when they needed to. By making necessary stops on Oregon State third downs, big interceptions and deflected balls by the secondary and a huge goal line stand in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were right with the Beavers in the final minute. The defensive effort by the Bulldogs, along with the timely offensive contribution, allowed Visintainer the opportunity to make the game-winning kick.

After the game, Hill repeatedly talked about the effort given by his team and the game they played.

“ One of the gutsiest performances I’ve ever been around,” he said. “Those kids never quit and I am very proud.”