Fan appreciation
scrimmage a bit hit
Hill says crowd for practice
set record attendance; hopes to start new tradition
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Joseph Hollak / The
Collegian
Back-up quarterback Tom
Brandstater capitalized on his playing time in Saturday's scrimmage.
Brandstater threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to receiver Paul Williams. |
By Maggie Thach
The Collegian
What happened on Saturday evening
is what Pat Hill wants to see happen every year. Hill invited fans to
the second scrimmage of the fall season free of charge and the fans responded.
Over 4,500 spectators came to tailgate before the scrimmage and then saw
an offensive showcase led by running backs Wendell Mathis, Bryson Sumlin
and Clifton Smith.
“We’ve got some bona fide starters. We have three outstanding
running backs,” Hill said. “I couldn’t be happier with
the backs.”
The offense didn’t look so sharp against a hard-nosed defense in
the last scrimmage when cornerback Richard Marshall matched Mathis in
speed and stepped up to fill the hole left behind by strong safety James
Sanders when he went to the pros after last season.
Marshall didn’t participate in the scrimmage due to a sore knee.
Mathis, who had 83 yards on nine carries, is first on the depth chart
but Sumlin and Smith are close behind. Sumlin had seven rushes for 102
yards and Smith ran for 77 yards on eight carries.
But the most pleasant surprise of the evening wasn’t how explosive
the offensive was, but how many spectators came to support the team.
“I really didn’t expect this many people to come out,”
Smith said. “It means a lot. People come out and they see action.
We always want to put on a show. I think we got people on the edge of
their seats.”
Senior Paul Williams was also pleased by the outcome.
| 
Joseph
Hollak / The Collegian
Quarterback Paul Pinegar
got the most attention from autograph-seekers and interviewers after
completing 7-of-15 passes for 110 yards in Saturday's scrimmage
at Bulldog Stadium. |
“I was here when there
was nothing,” Williams said. “We were in the terrible locker
rooms and everything but I’ve seen it grow. We’re not quite
there yet but the fan support gives us motivation. Without the fans, us
players are nothing.”
To make the fans feel more involved, Hill got on the loudspeaker to explain
the drill or play. Throughout Hill’s career, he has been open about
showing appreciation to fans and it couldn’t have been more evident
than Saturday night.
After the scrimmage, Hill thanked the fans for their support and players
signed autographs and posed for pictures. Hill hopes this can be the start
of a new tradition.
“Hopefully, we can get 15,000 to 20,000 people out here for scrimmages
and spring games,” Hill said. “Tonight, the players are gonna
spend some time with kids. It’s a great thing. I hope fans walk
away knowing how much they mean to the program.”
The Tormeys walked away knowing how appreciative Hill is. Both say they
feel this year has the most fan anticipation than any season before.
“Pat Hill has been quiet. He’s usually in your face about
the team but this year is different,” said G. Tormey who is going
to travel to away games to Hawaii and Nevada with her husband Chris. “It’s
like he knows a secret he doesn’t want to let out. Fresno’s
ready for a team like this. We already have our tickets.”
The Bulldogs will start the season on Sept. 10 against Weber State for
the home opener at Bulldog Stadium.
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