Bulldogs keep
winning ways
In home
opener, Fresno State's rout over Weber State extends its winning streak
to 7 games
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Joseph Hollak / The
Collegian
Wendell Mathis bulldozes
his way to his third touchdown of the game. Playing only in the
first half, Mathis amassed 77 total rushing yards.
Joseph Hollak / The
Collegian
Despite the badgering
of Weber State’s Dewey Crayton, Adam Jennings leaps over the
cornerback to catch a 36-yard pass from Paul Pinegar in the second
quarter. |
By Chhun Sun
The Collegian
Saturday night’s game
at Bulldog Stadium, in front of an announced 38,156 fans, was a game that
showed the Bulldogs haven’t lost their edge since eight months ago
when they defeated No. 18 Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl.
The No. 24 Bulldogs showed no signs of first-game jitters with a 55-17
nonconference blowout over the Weber State Wildcats (1-1). Going back
to last season, the win marks the seventh consecutive for the Bulldogs
(1-0), the longest streak since head coach Pat Hill took over in 1997.
But Hill insisted that even though the win was impressive, his team didn’t
show all it had.
“Overall, it was a good win. We have a lot of guys who are able
to play,” Hill said. “But we didn’t want to come out
the gate with everything. That wasn’t the point. We wanted to execute
first.”
Executing was no problem for one Bulldog. In the first season opener at
home since 1999, sophomore running back Clifton Smith became the first
Bulldog player in school history to return two punts for touchdowns in
a game.
His first return came in the second quarter, an almost straight dash for
92 yards. Then in the third quarter, he ran an impressive 84 yards for
a touchdown, weaving and avoiding tackles from players in white jerseys.
“I don’t really think much when I run,” Smith said.
“I’m going naturally. I find opportunities and I just run
with it. It’s pretty satisfying, because [189 total return] yards
isn’t easy to come by.”
On the defensive side, the Bulldogs held junior quarterback Ian Pizzaro
to two touchdowns and intercepted one of his passes. Junior free safety
Josh Sherley led the Bulldogs with nine tackles,
including five solos.
But it was the offense that secured the win for the Bulldogs.
Senior quarterback Paul Pinegar only played until late into the third
quarter. Pinegar, who completed 14 out of 18 passes for 189 yards and
two touchdowns, said even though he didn’t play the entire game,
he hopes the win will give the team the positive edge the players need
when they play Oregon at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday.
“It’s tough not playing the whole game but it’s always
nice to give other players shots,” Pinegar said. “It’s
good to come out with a bang, to win the first game, to start on the right
track and not to miss a beat.”
There was one aspect of the Bulldog’s game Hill did not keep a secret
— the running game.
Established early on, the Bulldogs’ running backs went up against
the Wildcats’ running backs, which had sophomore Adrian Conway and
junior Zach Hall rushing for three touchdowns last week.
Senior running back Wendell Mathis got most of the rushing touches, racking
up 77 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns, including a 26-yard run
in the first quarter.
Even though senior Bryson Sumlin didn’t touch the football until
the third quarter, he added 68 yards to the Bulldogs’ 162 rushing
yards.
But it was Smith who got the most attention, even from senior wide receiver
Adam Jennings, who shares the responsibilities of returning kicks with
Smith.
“He’s an amazing punt returner. He’s cool to watch,”
Jennings said. “I’m more of a speed guy. He’s the guy
who likes to get away from other guys by dodging them and avoiding tackles.”
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