Fresno State Athletics
Alan Harper Online Chat Wrap
10/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 17, 2001
On Wednesday, Fresno State defensive tackle Alan Harper made a special visit to chat about his team's upcoming battle with Boise State on Friday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Harper, an All-America candidate, is on both the Lombardi Awards and Outland Trophy watch this season. He has proved to be one of America's premier defensive linemen. Through the first five games, he leads the WAC in quarterback sacks with six for 27 yards and tackles for losses with 11 for minus-40 yards. Harper has climbed into NFL draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr.'s Big Board and is currently rated the No. 12 prospect for the 2002 NFL draft.
Harper has been one of the most dominating defensive players in the WAC the last two-plus seasons, earning first-team All-WAC honors each year. Harper has the potential to become the best defensive lineman in school history. He had a career-high 10 tackles vs. TCU last season. Harper was selected by the media as the 2001 Preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
The following is a transcript of the October 17 chat:
Alan Harper: (1:31 PM ET ) I am here and ready to take your questions!!!
Floyd Mara,Orosi Ca: You are a great defensive player and a leader/star of the bulldog defense. Boise St. Is suppose to have a high power offense, do the dogs have what it takes to stop their run and pass? And do you think its time the dogs run up the score?
Alan Harper: (1:33 PM ET ) Definitly. We have been planning for them all week. THis is a challenge for us. We have to stop the run first and the pass will be easy to stop.Richard(Lemoore): Hey, Alan! You always hear athletes who are up for prestigious individual awards say that they don't give much thought to them during the season because they are concentrating on winning games. Is that really true, or do you sometimes think about what it would be like to win one of the awards you're up for? Thanks!
Alan Harper: (1:34 PM ET ) Me personally, I am looking forward to trying to win the Outland or Lombardi Award. If I am working to win those awards, I will be helping my team win at the same time.Rob (San Francisco): Hi Alan. You've made Fresno State fans everywhere extremely proud this season. Since Fresno State has already played and beaten 4 teams that have been ranked this year -- Colorado, Oregon State, Wisconsin and Colorado State -- which of those do you think was the toughest and why?
Alan Harper: (1:35 PM ET ) From my standpoint, CSU was the toughest. They double teamed me 70 percent of the time. They ran the ball tough and stuck to their gameplan.Jason (Bend, OR): Alan: In Fort Collins your defense got away from solid tackling and looked more like they just wanted to take somebody's head off. What are the Bulldogs doing to improve the defense after last week's display of missed tackles and over-pursuit.
Alan Harper: (1:36 PM ET ) We got back to fundamentals this week. You must have watched the game pretty close because you are exactly right. We got back to square one this week.Gary from tn: DOnt you think that you all are uderrated after all the big early season wins
Alan Harper: (1:37 PM ET ) Yeah, but we don't worry about that much. If we win each game, everything will take care of itself at the end of the season.BroncoFan(Boise): Considering that Boise has played at S. Carolina this year, and UCLA last year, do you feel they will be intimidated by their surroundings, your standing and your crowd?
Alan Harper: (1:38 PM ET ) I don't think they will be intimidated. It will be an experience though. We have fans who love to give the opposing fans a hard time. But I can't really say what it will be llike for them.
Shawn (Bowling Green, OH): Hey Alan - What's your major, and were you surprised at all that your team was not mentioned before the season as a potentially ranked team?
Alan Harper: (1:39 PM ET ) Sociology!!!We weren't suprises. We knew nobody would notice us and we would have to take it on ourself to get noticed.
Randy (Shawnee,OK): Alan, I've seen Fresno St a few times earlier this eason. You guys look impressive. I'd love to see a play-off system in place where schools not in the so-called "big time" conferences have a chance play for a national title.
What's your thoughts on this?
Alan Harper: (1:40 PM ET ) Oh yeah. I want to play Miami myself. They haven't allowed a sack all year and that would be a great challenge.
Freddie( Atlanta, Ga.): Alan, What do you really think your chances would be against Nebraska, Miami, Florida. These are the really big powerhouse schools that you need to beat to get respect in the south.
Alan Harper: (1:41 PM ET ) My comments are when we go out and play a team, it doesn't matter who they are, they are just another team with a different jersey. They are going to get a dogfight, no matter when or where.Chris(Houston): The WAC has some great offenses and some great quarterbacks. How do you personally prepare for each game? Do you consider the talent of the QB very much from game to game?
Alan Harper: (1:42 PM ET ) What we do as a defensive line, we look at the QB, does he like to sit, is he a scrambler, does he throw deep, etc. We try to copy what they do and practice that way.Russ (Berkely): I know you are getting a lot more looks from the pros now that Fresno is playing like such a powerhouse. Mel Kiper even has you ranked as one of his top 25 senior prospects. I was just wondering how you think you project to the NFL. Obviously you are a little undersized. Do you think you need to play next to a big run-stuffer to be effective, or do you think you'll be able to hold-up againt the run when you face pro linemen?
Alan Harper: (1:43 PM ET ) Wow .. that's hard. I think I'll be a great defensive team for a certain scheme. I don't think I would fit into just any scheme though. But I will fit in good once I get there!!!Justin, Fresno: Alan, congrats on yours and the teams success thus far. As far as the Boise St. game, how will the team compensate for the loss of Jason Stewart up front? Alos, how will the defense shut down the Boise St. offense (420 total yards per game)? Thanks and best of luck this year!
Alan Harper: (1:45 PM ET ) We have a lot of depth there. It will be a tragic loss but we will make up for it. Grant Harrington will step in for him and do a great job.scott: hey Alan-how big was the Air force game Last year when you guys never gave up after being down by so much and almost winning, that game showed me what Fresno states all about!
Alan Harper: (1:46 PM ET ) It was huge. We were down by like 30 and we just regrouped at halftime. It showed so much heart and gave us a personality. We know we never give up and it will always be a dogfight everytime you play us.Fred (Fresno): Alan, wopuldn't the defense like to see the offense put up about 50 this week and give you guys a break on the close ones?
Alan Harper: (1:46 PM ET ) Oh yeah!! Anytime they can do that that's great. It's best when we are on the sidelines!!David Gaithersburg md : Alan- where do you see your team headed?
Alan Harper: (1:48 PM ET ) From the beginning I've said I want to see an udefeated season. That is a goal of mine. I see us going undefeated and playing in a BCS game.Terry Schroer, Cincinnati: Congrats on the Fresno's success! Fresno sparkled in the underdog role and you could see the fire in their eyes. My question is why, do you think, that Fresno has not preformed as well as the "favorite role" against weaker opponets?
Alan Harper: (1:50 PM ET ) That's one I'm trying to figure out myself. I think it's more of a challenge when we are not the favorite. When you are a favorite you have to play even more harder. The underdog just plays so hard against you. You have to be a smart player and understand your role.Alan Harper: (1:51 PM ET ) Thanks for the questions, I appreciate all the comments. Keep an eye out for us this year!!!! 
