Bulldogs bulldoze over Aggies
Blowout
win against Utah State puts 'Dogs back on national stage with No. 24 AP
ranking
Joseph Vasquez /
The Collegian
Above: Despite pressure
from Antonio Taylor, Jaron Fairman catches a 28-yard reception for
a Fresno State first down in the first quarter. Below: Richard Marshall
adds another tackle to his six total as he body slams Utah State’s
Tony Pennyman.
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By Maggie Thach
The Collegian
It looked as if the Utah State
Aggies and the Bulldogs switched uniforms right before kick off of the
homecoming game Saturday night. In the opening minutes, a sell-out crowd
of 42,701 at Bulldog Stadium saw Paul Pinegar throw an interception to
Utah’s Terrance Washington. The Aggies’ ensuing drive led
to the first score of the game, a one-yard rush by Chris Forbes.
Luckily, that didn’t last long. The Bulldogs got back on track as
they turned to their running game.
Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin
led the drive to Utah’s 8-yard line, which set up a field goal attempt
for Clint Stitser. Stitser’s field goal with 5 minutes, 46 seconds
left in the first quarter ignited an offensive onslaught that didn’t
stop until late in the fourth quarter, leading to a 53-21 win.
After three straight blowout victories, the Bulldogs are back in the Associated
Press poll at No. 24.
“It was another awesome performance, especially the defense,”
head coach Pat Hill said. “I’m not a stats guy but the game
was pretty well dominated.”
‘Dominated’ is one way to describe a defensive line that racked
up four sacks and a running game with a final stat line of 193 rushing
yards, 149 more than the Aggies.
Cornerback Richard Marshall had an impressive game with an interception,
a recovered fumble and a punt return in the fourth quarter where he went
70 yards while filling in for an injured Adam Jennings.
“The offense has been on a roll all season,” said Marshall,
who also had six total tackles, including a lay out of Utah State’s
main receiver, Tony Pennyman. “When they got those seven points,
we couldn’t let them get into the endzone again. The defense hasn’t
been playing to potential but now the defense is stepping up.”
Utah State didn’t help itself out by having four fumbles and throwing
two interceptions. The Aggies were also held to 202 total offensive yards.
After a 26-point third quarter, Hill employed most of his second string.
It was only then that the Aggies scored two touchdowns, one by quarterback
Leon Jackson III and the other by Kevin Robinson, who led Utah State with
99 receiving yards on four receptions.
Pinegar looked rusty at first from two games that mostly used the running
game, completing 10 of 17 passes for 138 yards and throwing one interception.
“I’m not that worried,” Pinegar said. “When we’re
running, I can see it having a problem but we never lose our rhythm. It’s
just a matter of us finding it.”
Pinegar did have two touchdown passes, both to Joe Fernandez. But the
running game stole the show with four touchdown runs. Mathis had 97 yards
on 21 carries and Sumlin had 63 yards on 14.
“Winning like this, we never get tired of it,” Hill said.
“Now, we got to get to work on Idaho.”
The Bulldogs will be on the road the next two games, traveling to face
WAC newcomer the Idaho Vandals and then to Hawaii the following week.
Afterwards, Fresno State will come home to take on the San Jose State
Spartans. The next three opponents have a combined 4-14 record.
“We play the schedule like it is, there is nothing I can do about
that,” Hill said. “But I promise you, there are going to be
some big games coming up.”
Even with the Boise State and USC games looming, Pinegar thinks Fresno
State can compete with top teams.
“I think we’re one of the best teams in the nation,”
Pinegar said. “It’ll be tough in November but I feel we belong
at the top.”
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