Fresno State vs. USC
GAME PREVIEW
By Maggie Thach
The Collegian
Quarterbacks
Even though Paul Pinegar surpassed David Carr in total career touchdowns in school history, don’t think he’ll stop airing it out. The senior quarterback is key to the Bulldogs offensive attack to upset the Trojans, a team that is looking for its second straight perfect season and third national title.
Running Backs
Wendell Mathis has established himself as the go-to carrier. Mathis, who is coming off of four straight 100-yard rushing games and has recorded 13 touchdowns, will be going up against a defense that has allowed only 19.5 points a game. Mathis is Fresno State’s equivalent to USC’s Reggie Bush.
Receivers
Paul Williams, who can be compared to the Trojans’ Dwayne Jarrett is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games where he racked up three touchdowns and 286 yards. Williams has proved he is worthy of double-team coverage from opposing teams.
Offensive Line
Starting center Kyle Young’s statement, “we can beat anybody in the nation, that’s just how it is” has sparked some debate but Young and the team will have the opportunity to prove it against an offense that is second in the nation in scoring at 48.4 per game.
Defensive Line
Nothing could stop Garrett McIntyre as he tallied two sacks against the Broncos. Jason Shirley and Louis Leonard stepped up last week, blasting through Boise State’s line.
Linebackers
Dwayne Andrews remains solid and consistent throughout the season and Marcus Riley now leads the team in tackles.
Defensive Backs
The trio of Richard Marshall, Marcus McCauley and Raymond Washington will be the best defensive backs USC will face all year. But after those three, there isn’t much depth in the position.
Special Teams
The Bulldogs have lost Clint Stitser, one of the nations top place kicker and ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation in scoring and No. 12 in the nation in field goals made per game for the season. Stitser must sit out due to a bruised hip flexor.
Intangibles
Fresno State has won the last 10 out of 17 meetings against BCS schools. The Bulldogs have already snapped Boise State’s 31-game winning streak and are looking to stop USC’s at 32. Fresno State has beaten the Trojans before: an unlikely 24-5 victory in the Freedom Bowl in 1992.
Quarterbacks
It is no wonder Matt Leinart is in contention for another Heisman trophy. He has completed 211 of 318 passes and thrown 23 touchdowns. Leinart has shown he can step up in pressure-filled situations. Tied with three seconds left against Notre Dame earlier this season, Leinart pushed his way to the endzone and USC took away a 34-31 victory to preserve its winning streak.
Edge: Trojans
Running Backs
Leinart isn’t the only one up for a Heisman trophy. Running back Reggie Bush is also a candidate for the honor. Reggie Bush averages 7.9 yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns under his belt and has already surpassed 1,000 yards. LenDale White complements Bush with his 6.4 yard-average and 17 touchdowns.
Edge: Trojans
Receivers
Fresno State’s defensive backs will have their hands full with the likes of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith suiting up for theTrojans. Jarrett is the main receiver as he has racked up 14 touchdowns and Smith has added four.
Edge: Trojans
Offensive Line
Winston Justice leads possibly the nation’s top offensive line and is one of the best offensive tackles in the country. Joining him is Sam Baker at left tackle.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line
Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker are among the best against the running game. Rucker has one interception this season and 49 total tackles. Jackson has 34.
Edge: Even
Linebackers
Oscar Lua is questionable in this game. Injury caused him to miss the last game but he still leads USC in total tackes with 52 on the year. Injury has also knocked out Dallas Sartz.
Edge: Even
Defensive Backs
This is the Trojan’s biggest weakness; the Bulldogs can exploit it if the offensive line blocks good enough. Darnell Bing has come up big for a depleted defense. He has 32 total tackles and five pass break-ups.
Edge: Bulldogs
Special Teams
Punter Tom Malone is a four-year veteran and a record-setting All-American has a 44.5 career punting average, but he is questionable for the match-up against Fresno State.
Edge: Bulldogs
Intangibles
The Trojans have won 32 games straight and are playing in their home stadium which seats 90,000. USC hasn’t lost at home in four years but 20,000 of those seats will be filled with Bulldog fans. The Trojans are definitely the team with more talent, but a win over the No. 1 team isn’t totally out of the question no matter how slim the Bulldogs’ chances are, Fresno State is confident.
Edge: Even
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