Season is now a matter of pride for Bulldogs

By Jeffrey Christian
The Collegian

The ingredients were all there for the Fresno State football team to rebound and end its three-game losing streak Saturday night, but unfortunately the Bulldogs were left with nothing but a bitter taste in their mouths as Utah State shocked Pat Hill’s team in a 13-12 upset.

A Bulldogs loss was almost unfathomable prior to the game as the Bulldogs were nearly a four-touchdown favorite on the road despite having lost three consecutive games. Entering the game, the Bulldogs’ three losses had come against quality football teams with winning records.

They lost to a highly ranked Oregon team and at Washington, which has been one of the biggest surprises in the Pac-10 giving USC all they could handle in a 26-20 loss on Saturday.

The loss at Utah State is frustrating because the Aggies aren’t having a good season and don’t have a very good football team. The Aggies football program has averaged only three wins a season over the past three years and they entered the game on Saturday with a 0-5 record. Furthermore, in their first five games their opponents had outscored them 185 to 28.

Fresno State’s offense kept the Aggies in the game by failing to convert third downs and settling for field goal attempts rather then capping off drives with touchdowns. The inability to score touchdowns was further amplified as kicker Clint Stitser failed to convert on two of three field goal attempts.

The offense had a chance to put the ball in the end zone and end any chance of an Aggies comeback, but with 4:40 left and facing a 3 and 8 from the Utah 15, the offense kept the ball on the ground and Dwayne Wright was stopped after picking up only three yards. The Bulldogs had to settle for a field goal, which left the door open for the Aggies to pull off the upset.

The Bulldogs were 4-16 on third down conversions and their passing game once again struggled to take flight and provide a balanced attack with the run. The passing game was further hindered with the absence of big play wide receiver Paul Williams who sat out after being injured the previous week against Colorado State.

Although the Bulldogs’ pass protection was significantly better than in weeks past, quarterback Tom Brandstater looked impatient in the pocket and at times seemed to hurry his throws.

The offense has struggled due to their inability to stretch the opposing defense and open up receivers over the middle. The legs of running back Dwayne Wright have fueled the offense, but unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Wright can’t run the ball on every play and the running game struggles when Wright is out of the game.

The defense shutdown the Utah State offense for most of the game and capitalized on freshman quarterback Riley’s inaccurate arm. Fortunately for Riley, who was making his first collegiate start, he was able to pick up yards on the ground and he rushed for several big first downs.

Although they dominated the Utah State offense for most of the game, the defense struggled to prevent big plays.

Utah State turned a short screen pass into a 54-yard touchdown in the first half and then scored the go ahead touchdown on a 30-yard touchdown pass. The pass came with less than a minute left in the game and the Bulldogs defense trying desperately to hold onto the lead on a third and long from the 30-yard line.

The Bulldogs must try to forget about the missed opportunity and embarrassment of Saturday’s loss as they host Hawaii and its highly touted offensive juggernaut.

The season and a bowl berth are quickly slipping away and the Bulldogs must come out with intensity and pride if they are going to have any chance of salvaging their season.

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