Fresno State Football Game Preview

By Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian

Bulldogs

There was a definite hangover effect following the Bulldogs defeat at the hands of Oregon last weekend.

Nobody could have ever imagined Fresno State would shoot itself in the foot against the Ducks with special teams errors, the most unlikely aspect of the team to stall.

Regardless, that loss isn’t going anywhere, so the Bulldogs will now need to bring the hammer every week to keep up with its own expectations, and that begins this week against the Huskies.

The Bulldogs, like the Huskies, are in the midst of establishing an identity for this season, so a well-balanced performance from both the offense and defense is a must.

To come out of the game with that feeling however, there are areas of weaknesses to address and areas of strength to maintain.

First up:

What to work on:

• Last week, the Bulldogs went up against an unorthodox offense that will score points regardless, it’s just up to the defense to slow it down. Having said that, the first issue to address is third down defense.

This is where the Ducks kept themselves in the game against the Bulldogs, often converting long, clutch pass plays that extended drives and tired out Fresno State’s defense more than it needed to be.

All this was despite a raucous home crowd, and some of the responsibility must fall on defensive coordinator Dan Brown.

• Bulldogs quarterback Tom Brandstater was not sacked excessively against Oregon, but he could have done without the ones he had, in addition to the rest of the hits that stained his jersey a nice mix of red and green. Fresno State’s offensive line will need to do a better job of recognizing the defense’s blitzing schemes.

• If that happens, the next step is for Brandstater and the receivers to make more plays in the middle of the field, ideally 10-15 yards from the line of scrimmage. The vertical aspect of the Bulldogs passing game has been almost non-existent. Instead, it has been too much zig and zag instead of a mixture of the two. Paul Williams must get involved in the passing game to make this work. He has the big play capability to help the Bulldogs bust out of their slump.

Don’t mess with a good thing:

• As ineffective as the pass offense has been, the opposite can be said of the running game. Dwayne Wright has carried the ball early and often and is averaging over five yards per carry. His added muscle, which accompanies a strong burst through the gap, allows him to break arm tackles with ease and makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The offensive line must not be forgotten in his success. Kyle Young and company have simply eaten defensive lineman alive on run plays.

• One of the biggest concerns coming into the season was the play of the defensive backs. In some minds, this is still a concern while others have fallen into more of a comfort zone with them. To this point, safeties Vincent Mays and Josh Sherley have been far too inconsistent, while corners Marcus McCauley and Damon Jenkins have been more than impressive. Backups Elgin Simmons and A.J. Jefferson have been admirable while filling in during multiple receiver sets.

Huskies

Just a week after a near upset at the hands of the Western Athletic Conference’s San Jose State, Washington gave nationally ranked Oklahoma a run for its money.

A late fumble by Huskies quarterback Isaiah Stanback gave complete momentum to the Sooners, otherwise the boys in purple and gold may have had an upset in the making.

If the Huskies would have escaped Norman with a win, the momentum they would have carried going into the game with the Bulldogs may have been too much for Fresno State to overcome.

Now, Washington — who is in the midst of rebuilding what was once one of the most proud programs in the country — is treading water to maintain at least a .500 record, a rarity for the Huskies the last few seasons.

Ironically, what could be Washington’s make or break game this week against the Bulldogs may be its toughest. The Huskies’ defeat to the Sooners last week has been deemed acceptable, but the Sooners had fits with their first opponent, the UAB Blazers.

Meanwhile, Fresno State has a quality victory over WAC rival Nevada under its belt and a loss to a top 20 program in Oregon, a game which the Bulldogs had in hand until a few late blunders were made.
The Huskies will need to continue to show marked improvement to come away with a victory against the Bulldogs.

Here’s what you should be watching for from the Huskies:

Offense:

• Believe it or not, the Huskies have finally found a strength on offense — at least for now. The running back combo of former Dos Palos superstar Kenny James and the less heralded Louis Rankin have combined for over 180 yards rushing through their first two games. Rankin has received the bulk of the carries, running for 9.1 yards per rush on 27 rushing attempts. Their efficiency has been somewhat of a surprise considering the Huskies have replaced four of their five starters from a year ago.

• Washington has mustered up two touchdowns via the air, an element that has been close to nonexistent in recent years with Stanback at the helm. Still, the Huskies have only attempted to pass 55 times all year, while a call to the backfield has been made 81 times. Fresno State will likely stack the box full of defenders to prevent the Husky rushing attack from developing and forcing the issue for the Huskies to pass.

Defense:

• While the passing attack on offense can be considered a weakness for the Huskies, the same can be said on defense. Washington has allowed opponents to rush for 3.6 yards per carry this season.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, opposing teams haven’t needed success on the ground, as they have completed 70 percent of their passes against the Huskies, compiling nearly 600 yards through the air and five touchdowns.

• As mentioned earlier, the Huskies have been much more impressive defending the run. Linebacker Chris Stevens (two sacks) and lineman Brandon Ala (one sack) account for all three of the Huskies’ sacks. But is has been the help from the defensive backs that has mainly allowed Washington to prevent a powerful opponents running attack. Cornerback Matt Fountaine and strong safety C.J.

Wallace have combined for 26.5 tackles so far, good enough for first and third in tackles so far, respectively. The Huskies will need maintain, if not improve its defense against the run, because the Bulldogs will look to make their own running game as potent as possible.

More about the Huskies
• Last season: 2-9 (1-7 in Pac-10)

• Series: Tied 1-1 (last time: Fresno State won 35-16 in 2004)

• Coach: Tyrone Willingham (second season)

• Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 6 defense, punter)

• Key players:
QB Isaiah Stanback (6-3, 205, Sr.)- — Stanback has been inconsistent at best behind center for the Huskies. He is a dual threat quarterback who prefers to scramble when given the opportunity.

RB Kenny James (5-10, 215, Sr.) and Louis Rankin (6-1, 205, Jr.) — Power and speed combo have been solid for Huskies this season. Rankin is averaging over nine yards a carry. James averages over five.

SS C.J. Wallace (6-0, 210, Sr.) — Is the team’s third leading tackler with 12.5 through two games this season. Will need to play big to stop the Bulldogs running game.

• What is on the line:
Huskies players would like to believe this is the year the tradition re-ups. They will bring all they have against the Bulldogs. Fresno State has just as much, if not more, to prove to itself, the fans and the college football world. This game should entertain the masses.

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