Fresno State vs. Southern Methodist

GAME PREVIEW by Eddie Hughes

Bulldogs

Quarterbacks
The Fresno State passing game looked improved in spurts of last weeks’ Boise State game. But inefficiency hurt the team again when Paul Pinegar threw a late interception to thwart a possible comeback attempt with the Bulldogs down by 10. Pinegar has six touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. His previous career-high for interceptions was 10 in his 2002 freshman season.

Running Backs
The Bulldogs’ running game was almost nonexistent last week until Wendell Mathis picked up some late-game yardage. Mathis finished with four carries for 29 yards and a touchdown. Starter Bryson Sumlin rushed seven times for 10 yards. Expect the normal rushing attack to return on Saturday against SMU.

Receivers
A breakout game finally came from a receiver last week. Sophomore Joe Fernandez had six catches for 93 yards. Junior Jermaine Jamison became the first Bulldogs receiver not named Fernandez to catch a touchdown pass, making a nice play in tight coverage for a 25-yard score.

Offensive Line
The line put out one of its best pass-blocking performances of the season against Boise State, but the running game struggled for the first time. Expect this group to return to its usual physically-dominant form against SMU.

Defensive Line
The pass rush looked strong at times last week, but, for the second time in three games, the Bulldogs allowed an opposing running back to gain more than 100 yards. If this group can help shut down SMU’s running game, the Bulldogs should have little trouble winning.


Linebackers
Sophomore Dwayne Andrews is tied for the team lead in tackles with 34 after his 11-tackle showing last week. He’s also second on the team with four tackles for losses. Some aggressive plays and big stops might be what this team needs to get back on a winning stride.

Defensive Backs
It’s tough to figure how this unit could combine for eight interceptions in the first three games and zero since then. But that’s what has happened. The Bulldogs haven’t picked off a pass since the Portland State game. Safety James Sanders is tied with Andrews for the team high of 34 tackles.

Special Teams
The return game looked improved from the UTEP game with Adam Jennings averaging more than 18 yards per punt return and more than 21 per kick return.

Coaching
Pat Hill’s Bulldogs started 0-3 in the WAC for the first time in program history and cannot afford another loss. One more slip and the team might have to forget about gaining a sixth straight bowl berth.

Intangibles
Bulldog Stadium is usually a place Fresno State doesn’t lose. But in two previous home games, the Bulldogs didn’t even look like a shell of the same team that stomped Kansas State on the road.


Mustangs

Quarterbacks
Junior Tony Eckert might be just the person to help Fresno State regain its knack for causing turnovers. Eckert has thrown three touchdowns and nine interceptions on the year. He did manage to throw for 288 yards against Louisiana Tech but also had four interceptions. Eckert is the replacement for Chris Phillips, who is out for the season with a strained rotator cuff. If backup Jarad Romo enters the game, there’s a good chance he’ll run.
Edge: Bulldogs

Running Backs
Remember Keylon Kincade? Well, he’s gone. Now senior Foy Munlin and redshirt freshman Cedrick Dorsey get the majority of carries. Both have unimpressive averages of 3.7 yards per carry but just one touchdown apiece on the season. Munlin’s 200 rushing yards are second on the team to Romo’s 219.
Edge: Bulldogs

Receivers
Junior Chris Foster is the team’s go-to receiver with 24 catches for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Bobby Chase can be dangerous on the outside, averaging 16.2 yards per reception. The Mustangs aren’t particularly strong in one area of offense, so don’t expect a lot of production against the WAC’s top secondary.
Edge: Even

Offensive Line
If the barometer of this unit is the team’s average rushing yards per game, the Mustangs are lacking with an average of 110.7. If it’s sacks allowed, the Mustangs have given up 14. Center Brad Kieschnick and his linemates will have to be prepared against Fresno State’s big, athletic defensive linemen.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Line
Senior Allan Adami is regarded as one of the best defensive players in the WAC. He has 17 tackles, 3.5 for losses and a sack on the season. Adami and sophomore Desmond Jones are the only two defensive linemen with a sack this season.
Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers
Freshmen Wilton McCray leads this group with 42 tackles on the year. Junior Don Ieremia-Stansbury isn’t far behind with 37. The Mustangs’ defense gives up an average of just more than 240 rushing yards per game—not a good sign against a talented Fresno State rushing attack.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Backs
Most of the top tacklers on the team are in the secondary. Junior corner Rolando Humphrey leads the Mustangs with 51 tackles, including seven for losses. He also has one of the team’s two interceptions on the year. Junior corner Charles Akinyemi has the other.
Edge: Bulldogs

Special Teams
Junior kicker Chris McMurtray has made 4 of 5 field goals with a long of 36 yards. Junior punter Ryan Mentzel averages 41.6 yards per punt.
Edge: Bulldogs

Coaching
SMU has struggled under the direction of Phil Bennett. He is 4-27 in his third season with the Mustangs. SMU’s 36-13 win over San Jose State ended a 14-game losing streak. But the Mustangs have started a new losing streak of three games since the win.
Edge: Bulldogs

Intangibles
SMU has scored just seven points in each of its two previous games at Bulldog Stadium. The Mustangs are 1-6 on the year and 1-4 all-time against the Bulldogs.
Edge: Bulldogs