Fresno State vs. Hawaii
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Staff Reports
The Collegian
Bulldogs
Quarterbacks
Paul Pinegar made school history last week when he moved into third place
in career passing yards, even though he contributed next to nothing in
the first half.
Running Backs
The Warriors defensive line will have difficulties containing the one-two
combo of Bryson Sumlin and Wendell Mathis. Mathis had 101 rushing yards,
including a 58-yard touchdown run.
Receivers
Expect Pinegar to pass more often than his last game. And expect him to
look for receiving targets Jaron Fairman, Joe Fernandez and Paul Williams,
who all have two touchdowns each midway through the season.
Offensive Line
For the most part, the offensive line have been giving Pinegar enough
breathing room to either pass or run the ball, so the senior quarterback
shouldn’t have a problem with the Warriors defense.
Defensive Line
Brennan will need to keep an eye out for Ikenna Ike, who leads the Bulldogs
with 3.5 sacks. But don’t forget Tyler Cutts and Garrett McIntyre,
who is still recovering from a broken hand.
Linebackers
If the Warriors running backs — who only produced five touchdowns
so far this season — get past the defensive line, they’ll
have to face linebackers Dwayne Andrews and Emanuel Sanchez. So far, Andrews
and Sanchez lead the Bulldogs with 39 and 33 tackles, respectively.
Defensive Backs
The defensive backs will have a tough task manning their positions when
they go up against quarterback Colt Brennan. But Richard Marshall and
others are a part of a defensive team that has held opponents to less
than 17.7 points per game, ranking the Bulldogs No. 16 in the NCAA.
Special Teams
Joe Fernandez’s 72-yard punt return for a touchdown against the
Vandals helped him become the WAC special teams player of the week.
Intangibles
The Bulldogs go to Hawaii with a No. 22 ranking, the highest this season.
Also, Fresno State is on a hot streak, winning 11 of its last 12 games
dating back to last season. Their only loss came against Oregon 37-34
on Sept. 17.
Warriors
Quarterbacks
Colt Brennan has throw for 972 yards and 10 TDs over the lat two games
and he leads the WAC in passing average with 350 yards. Brennan has almost
a 70 percent pass completion average.
Edge: Warriors
Running Backs
The Warriors average only 72.6 rushing yards a game and only five TDs
this season have been scored on the ground. Edge: Bulldogs
Receivers
The three main receivers, dubbed the “Three Amigos,” are Ryan
Grice-Mullen, Davone Bess and Chad Mock. Grice-Mullen has scored nine
TDs in the last four games and all three players have reached the 100-yard
mark in the past two games. Edge: Warriors
Offensive Line
The passing game benefits greatly from four starters returning to the
offensive line. The line is led by all-WAC performers Samson Satele and
Brandon Eaton. Edge: Even
Defensive Line
Kila Kamakowiwo’ole leads this position with 48 total tackles. Mulila
Purcell brings leadership to the position. In five games, Purcell has
racked up 13 total tackles. Edge: Bulldogs
Linebackers
Tanuvasa Moe and Solomon Elimimian are first and third among the Warriors
in total tackles with 51 and 46, respectively. Moe forced a fumble in
last week’s game against the San Jose State Spartans. Edge: Even
Defensive Backs
Two safeties had big games last week. Lamar Broadway had a career-best
10 tackles and Dane Porlas had an interception. Cornerback Turmarian Moreland
had a career-high 11 tackles and grabbed his second pick in as many games.
Edge: Bulldogs
Special Teams
Andre Taylor has four punt returns for 34 yards and 429 yards on 20 kick
returns. Edge: Bulldogs
Intangibles
Hawaii has won the last five home games against Fresno State. The Bulldogs
have trouble at Aloha Stadium: they haven’t won there since 1994.
The rivalry between these two teams remains fierce, even though the Bulldogs
walloped the Warriors last year 70-14 at Bulldog Stadium. Still, that
just gives the Warriors more motivation to beat the Bulldogs at home.
Edge: Warriors
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