Fresno State vs. Texas El-Paso

GAME PREVIEW by Eddie Hughes

Bulldogs

Quarterbacks
It’s no secret the Bulldogs have had some trouble throwing the football. And that starts with Paul Pinegar. The junior averages 153.8 yards per game and has completed 53.8 percent of his passes, but the biggest problem is efficiency, which was seen as his strong point in years past. Pinegar has thrown four touchdowns, compared to eight interceptions.

Running Backs
Now it’s obvious why the backfield was said to be loaded in preseason reports. Opening-day starter Dwayne Wright rushed for 183 yards in two games before a season-ending injury. Then Bryson Sumlin took control and rushed for 127 yards in a start against Portland State. And now there’s a new starter, Wendell Mathis, who had 191 yards against Louisiana Tech in his first start. Mathis has 44 carries for 316 yards and three touchdowns this season, an average of 7.2 yards per carry.

Receivers
The Bulldogs are still looking for a big game from a wideout. Jermaine Jamison leads the team with 123 yards receiving, but no one has had a 100-yard game yet. Only one receiver, Joe Fernandez, has caught a touchdown pass this season.

Offensive Line
The line was physically dominant in the first quarter last week, making it seem like Fresno State should have won in a blowout instead of losing. The Bulldogs can be confident that this group will be strong in the running game, but Pinegar could benefit from some better pass-blocking and more time in the pocket.

Defensive Line
A defensive front that had been just as dominant as its offensive counterpart had trouble stopping the run for the first time all year when Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Moats ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns. But expect this group to rebound strong on Saturday against another good back in UTEP’s Howard Jackson.

Linebackers
Sophomore Manuel Sanchez made his presence felt last week with 10 tackles. Dwayne Andrews is third on the team with 18 tackles this season. But this group also had trouble slowing Moats.

Defensive Backs
For the first time this season, this group didn’t intercept a pass. Louisiana Tech found a way to get the ball to the receivers in front of Fresno State defenders. Don’t expect the secondary to go too long without another pick.

Special Teams
Punt coverage hasn’t been talked about much, but the Bulldogs have been superb. Five punts have been returned against the Bulldogs for just five yards this season. Giving up a blocked field goal last week was a rarity and something that might not happen again all season.

Coaching
Pat Hill’s teams had never lost a WAC opener until last week. By winning out, the Bulldogs would still have a good chance at a conference title. Hill has the challenge of refocusing the team on that goal after the team’s chance to crash the BCS went awry.

Intangibles
The Bulldogs are 8-2-1 against UTEP all-time, but games have been close. The Bulldogs won 23-20 on the road last year and needed overtime to beat UTEP 24-23 at Bulldog Stadium in 1999. Still, Fresno State’s strong history at home is a big plus.

Miners
Quarterbacks
Sophomore Jordan Palmer, younger brother of former Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, is atop the depth chart. He has put up similar numbers to Pinegar, averaging 167 yards per game and completing 54 percent of his passes. Palmer has two touchdowns and six interceptions.
Edge: Even

Running Backs
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Howard Jackson has rushed for 2,719 yards in his career. Jackson had 20 carries for 66 yards in a loss to Fresno State last season but is averaging 110 yards per game this season.
Edge: Bulldogs

Receivers
Similar to the Bulldogs, UTEP has a group of young receivers. Sophomore Chris Marrow leads the team with 17 catches for 214 yards, but hasn’t yet scored a touchdown. Sophomore Johnnie Lee Higgins might be the biggest end zone threat. Two of his eight catches have been for touchdowns.
Edge: Even

Offensive Line
This line is far smaller than Fresno State’s, but that could be an advantage against a quick, athletic Bulldogs defensive front. UTEP has allowed nine sacks in four games. But the line has also helped Jackson rack up yardage.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Line
The front four has combined for four of the team’s 10 sacks this season, led by two from junior tackle Chris Mineo. Sophomore tackle Zach West leads the unit with 14 tackles.
Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers
Robert Rodriguez might be the best linebacker in the WAC. The senior leads the team with 36 tackles, and seven tackles for losses. He is tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. Senior Godwin Akinduro isn’t far behind with 34 tackles. These two will make it tough for Fresno State running backs to break a big run.
Edge: Miners

Defensive Backs
Senior corner Jahmal Fenner has the talent to make a quarterback think twice before throwing his way. Fenner has two interceptions on the year. Freshman free safety Quintin Demps has come on strong with 21 tackles and an interception.
Edge: Bulldogs

Special Teams
Sophomore kicker Reagan Schneider has been flawless on seven field goal attempts. And they haven’t been gimmes—four of them were for 40-plus yards, including a long of 52 yards.
Edge: Even

Coaching
Mike Price has given the program renewed enthusiasm in his first season. The coach took his old Washington State team to the Rose Bowl and coached quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf.
Edge: Even

Intangibles
The Miners played Boise State tough earlier in the season before losing control of the game in the fourth quarter. Playing at Bulldog Stadium is always a little imposing for the visitors and might make the difference.
Edge: Bulldogs