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<td width="343" valign="bottom"><p class="date"><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="date" --><a href="default.html">10/3/03 • Vol.
127, No. 17</a><!-- InstanceEndEditable --></p></td>
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<p><a href="preview.jsp">Fresno State vs. Colorado State Football
Game Preview</a></p>
<p><a href="pettis.jsp">Pettis arraignment scheduled for Oct. 8</a></p>
<p><a href="soccer.jsp">'Dogs hit Oregon Trail</a></p>
<p><a href="memorial.jsp">Memorial service scheduled for student
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<h1>Fresno State vs. Colorado State Football Game Preview</h1>
<p class="byline">By Eddie Hughes</p>
<p><span class="heading5">FRESNO STATE</span></p>
<p>
<strong>Quarterbacks</strong></p>
<p> Sophomore Paul Pinegar is questionable for Saturday’s game with
a torn pectoral muscle but might see his first game-action of the season.
Jeff Grady remains the starter. Grady averages 174 yards per game and
has thrown four touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. </p>
<p> <strong>Running Backs</strong></p>
<p> Dwayne Wright continued his success last week with a 113-yard showing
against Portland State. Wright remains the starter, averaging 80 yards
a game. Sophomore Bryson Sumlin had three touchdowns last week and is
the Bulldogs’ second-leading rusher at 58 yards per game. Rodney
Davis is gaining just 23 yards per game and has not scored a touchdown
this season.</p>
<p> <strong>Receivers</strong></p>
<p> The Bulldogs haven’t seen production from the receivers on a regular
basis this season. But that might change with the return of Pinegar.
The passing game was vicious in 2002, even with Bernard Berrian’s
absence. Berrian has just 219 receiving yards in five games this season.</p>
<p> <strong>Offensive Line</strong></p>
<p> The offensive line should be up to strength this week with the return
of junior guard Noa Pouono. The starting left guard missed the second
half of the Louisiana Tech game with a concussion and didn’t start
against Portland State. He’s expected to return to the starting
lineup Saturday.</p>
<p> <strong>Defensive Line</strong></p>
<p> Brian Morris has emerged as the defensive line’s top performer
with 21 tackles and four sacks this season. Morris had a season-ending
injuries in 2000 and 2002, but has earned a starting spot this season.</p>
<p> <strong>Linebackers</strong></p>
<p> Injured senior Marc Dailey played in two series last week and is expected
to see more time Saturday. But freshman Dwayne Andrews burst into a starting
role and is second on the team with 28 tackles. Senior Bryce McGill is
first with 30 tackles. Sophomore Manuel Sanchez got his third interception
against Portland State.</p>
<p> <strong>Defensive Backs</strong></p>
<p> Portland State passed for 229 yards against the Bulldogs last week,
completing 18 of 32 passes. Sophomore cornerback Raymond Washington had
an interception.
Against Colorado State, the secondary will have to step up to slow versatile
Rams quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt.</p>
<p> <strong>Special Teams</strong></p>
<p> Junior safety Nate Ray recovered Berrian’s fumble on the opening
kickoff last week and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown, earning WAC
special teams player of the week. Kicker Brett Visintainer missed his
only field goal attempt, a 37-yarder, against Portland State.</p>
<p> <strong>Coaching</strong></p>
<p> The Pat Hill-led Bulldogs have beaten Colorado State three straight
years. But the team’s highly touted offense hasn’t lived up to expectations.
The offense needs to produce more for the Bulldogs to stay in the WAC
race.</p>
<p> <strong>Intangibles</strong></p>
<p> Three straight wins over Colorado State, including the 2001 overtime
victory at Hughes Stadium, has to give the Bulldogs confidence. If the
Bulldogs are going to enter the top 25 this season, they’ll have
to start by winning these next two games.</p>
<p class="heading5"> </p>
<p class="heading5">COLORADO</p>
<p> <strong>Quarterbacks</strong></p>
<p> Van Pelt was picked as the preseason Mountain West Conference offensive
player of the year by several publications, but the Rams’ 2-3 record
has drowned any Heisman hype. The mobile quarterback who has hurt Fresno
State with his scrambling in the past is averaging 265 yards per game
this season with nine passing touchdowns and three rushing. Van Pelt
has thrown six interceptions.</p>
<p> Edge: Rams</p>
<p> <strong>Running Backs</strong></p>
<p> Marcus Houston, a transfer from Colorado, is averaging 3.9 yards per
carry and 68 yards per game. Houston is a talented back and should have
a chance for a big game if the Bulldogs defense keys on containing Van
Pelt. Standout H-back Joel Dreessen is out indefinitely with a lower
abdominal strain.</p>
<p> Edge: Bulldogs</p>
<p> <strong>Receivers</strong></p>
<p> Sophomore David Anderson is the team’s leading receiver with 117
yards per game and 587 on the season. The big-play receiver averages
21 yards per catch. His first career touchdown came last season, a 70-yarder
against the Bulldogs.</p>
<p> Edge: Bulldogs</p>
<p> <strong>Offensive Line</strong></p>
<p> The Rams are young on the line—and lack size as well. Tackle Erik
Pears is the exception at 6-foot-8, 307 pounds. Center Mark Dreyer returned
last week against Utah after missing two games because of an injury to
his right ring finger that required surgery.</p>
<p> Edge: Even</p>
<p> <strong>Defensive Line</strong></p>
<p> The veteran defensive line is led by junior Patrick Goodpaster, who
has 28 tackles, seven tackles for losses and three sacks this season.
Saturday,
Goodpaster draws a tough match-up with Fresno State sophomore Dartangon
Shack. </p>
<p> Edge: Even</p>
<p> <strong>Linebackers</strong></p>
<p> This group took a big hit with the loss of star Eric Pauly for the
season. Pauly still leads the team with 46 tackles, but is out for the
rest of
the year with an injury to his right knee. Senior Drew Wood is healthy
on the other hand, meaning the Rams linebackers remain a concern for
opponents.</p>
<p> Edge: Rams</p>
<p> <strong>Defensive Backs</strong></p>
<p> Cornerback Dexter Wynn is one of the nation’s most feared kick
and punt returners, but the same doesn’t hold true for Wynn as
a cover man. He doesn’t have an interception this season and has
just 14 tackles.</p>
<p> Edge: Bulldogs</p>
<p> <strong>Special Teams</strong></p>
<p> Junior Jeff Babcock handles both the kicking and punting duties. He’s
4 of 7 on field goal attempts and averages 43.1 yards per punt.</p>
<p> Edge: Rams</p>
<p> <strong>Coaching</strong></p>
<p> Sonny Lubick, in his 11th season with the Rams, is 86-41. The field
at Hughes Stadium is named after him. Lubick has led the Rams to
four seasons
with 10 or more wins. No other Colorado State coach has ever had
a 10-win season.</p>
<p> Edge: Even</p>
<p> <strong>Intangibles</strong></p>
<p> The Rams will surely be out to end a three-game losing streak to
the Bulldogs. Colorado State was in the top 25 early in the
season, but
consecutive losses to Miami (Ohio) and Utah ended that. The
Bulldogs will likely
see the Rams in top form Saturday.</p>
<p> Edge: Rams</p>
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