Fresno State vs. San Jose State

Bulldogs

Quarterbacks

Paul Pinegar’s efficiency led Fresno State to a big road win over Nevada last week. The sophomore missed the first seven games of the season with a pectoral injury but has started ever since. Pinegar has thrown for 828 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions this season.

Running Backs

The Bulldogs’ four-headed running attack ate up the clock last week at Nevada, featuring a 20-carry, 91-yard performance by sophomore Dwayne Wright. Senior Rodney Davis, who entered the season as the starter, had 10 rushes for 49 yards in one of his most successful outings of the season.

Receivers

Pinegar spread the ball around to nine different receivers in the Nevada game. Bernard Berrian, who had five catches for 73 yards, looked to be in his 2001 All-America form. Marque Davis also had five receptions in the game to bring his season total to 23.

Offensive Line

The inexperience on the line sure didn’t show last week. The O-line, led by sophomore Dartangon Shack, bulldozed through the Nevada front-seven. Shack held Nevada star Jorge Cordova, the WAC leader in sacks, to five tackles and no sacks.

Defensive Line

Ends Brian Morris and Claude Sanders harassed Nevada quarterback Andy Heiser a week ago and need to do the same against San Jose State’s Scott Rislov to keep the game low scoring. Tackle Del Hawkins also had a big game with two tackles for losses and a sack.

Linebackers

Senior Bryce McGill leads the team with 60 tackles. McGill’s team-leading four fumble recoveries suggest he’s often in the right place at the right time. With three games to go—and a WAC title on the line—McGill and senior Marc Dailey are the veterans to lead the Bulldogs.

Defensive Backs

Redshirt freshman Richard Marshall snatched his third interception of the season last week. Sophomore Awan Diles continued to show why he has become the team’s top cornerback. Diles is third on the team with 48 tackles. Sophomore safety James Sanders is second with 56.

Special Teams

Junior kicker Brett Visintainer is 14 of 19 on field goal attempts. He made both of his tries last week, from 42 and 22 yards. Redshirt freshman punter Mike Lingua averages 38.4 yards per punt. He’s landed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Coaching

Pat Hill and staff had the team fired up and ready to go last week in Reno. The Bulldogs need to maintain that type of attitude for the rest of the season if they’re going to win a WAC championship and go to a bowl game.

Intangibles

A loss to San Jose State likely ends the Bulldogs’ hopes of a conference title. The all-time series between the two rivals is tied at 32-32-1. The team that wins this game takes the lead, which the Bulldogs haven’t held since 1947. Hill knows about it, and it’s a safe bet the team does too.

Spartans

Quarterbacks

San Jose State scored 61 points in a win over UTEP thanks in large part to the efforts of Scott Rislov. The senior quarterback threw for 543 yards and seven touchdowns last week. It will take a similar performance from Rislov for the Spartans to score that many against the Bulldogs.

Edge: Spartans

Running Backs

Senior Damarcus Ingram is the team’s leading rusher with just 369 yards on 95 carries. The Spartans don’t have a strong running attack, but their offense is capable of putting up big numbers in the passing game.

Edge: Bulldogs

Receivers

Watch out for those San Jose State tight ends. Junior Leon Pinky leads all pass-catchers with seven touchdowns and senior Courtney Anderson has five. The Spartans aren’t too shabby at wideout either, with two 500-yard receivers. Tuati Wooden has 555 yards and Jamall Broussard has 527.

Edge: Even

Offensive Line

Unlike the Bulldogs, the Spartans have an experienced line. Three seniors and two juniors start. The loss of Tim Provost, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, is a big one but the veteran presence should help ease the transition.

Edge: Even

Defensive Line

Junior end Sean McNamara leads the team with five sacks. Junior tackle Tony Ficklin is second with four. This game could be decided in the trenches with the key match-up being the Fresno State O-line vs. the San Jose State D-line.

Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers

The Bulldogs’ top tackler has 60 tackles. The Spartans have three players with more tackles. Consider that a bad sign for San Jose State because it probably means opposing offenses run more plays against the Spartans. Senior Paul Okumu is third on the teams with 68 tackles.

Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Backs

Senior safety Gerald Jones leads the team with 80 tackles and five interceptions. Safety Eric Wilson is second with 74 tackles. If the Fresno State receiving corps gets going, the Spartans defensive backs had better be ready to defend the pass.

Edge: Even

Special Teams

Junior kicker Jeff Carr is 9 of 14 on field goals this season with a long of 47 yards. Punter Bryce Partridge averages 38.8 yards per punt.

Edge: Bulldogs

Coaching

Tout this one as the battle of the Hills. Spartans coach Fitz Hill is in his third season with the Spartans. The team is 12-22 during his tenure.

Edge: Bulldogs

Intangibles

The Spartans aren’t going to a bowl game—and they aren’t winning the WAC. But expect them to be excited about the opportunity to ruin Fresno State’s chances.

Edge: Even