Fresno State Athletics
No. 18 Football Tries to Bounce Back Against Hawaii
10/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct 23, 2001
Pat Hill has seen his Fresno State team do some amazing things this year. Being emotionally ready to play this week might be even more difficult.
The No. 18 Bulldogs try to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they visit Hawaii on Friday night.
After beating three powerful teams in non-conference play and climbing into the top 10, Fresno State (6-1, 2-1 WAC) had begun to think about playing in a BCS bowl.
That hope ended, however, with a 35-30 loss to Boise State last Friday night. Playing in a weak conference, the Bulldogs needed to go undefeated to earn a berth in a major bowl, and couldn't hide their disappointment.
"There's still a lot of great things this football team can accomplish," Hill said. "But that loss was a devastating loss. No doubt about it."
The Bulldogs can't afford to be down for too long, as they usually struggle at Hawaii (4-2, 3-2).
Fresno State has dropped nine of its last 10 at Honolulu, winning only in 1994. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 18-14-1 but are 6-11 at Hawaii, although Hill says his team will be prepared.
"We'll play very hard in Hawaii," he said. "It's a game where we've got to go over and do everything we can to win the game. We're going to get Hawaii's best shot."
The Warriors have won three straight games thanks to one of the nation's best passing attacks. They are second in the nation with 350.3 passing yards per game and tied for the WAC lead with 35.7 points per game.
Nick Rolovich has been the quarterback for all three of the wins. Rolovich, who replaced the injured Timmy Chang against SMU on Oct. 6, has thrown for 901 yards and eight touchdowns in the three games.
Chang's status is day-to-day. Whoever starts for Hawaii will look to Ashley Lelie, who leads the WAC with 7.7 receptions and 116.5 yards per game.
Fresno State also gets strong play at quarterback. David Carr's Heisman chances took a hit with the Bulldogs' loss, even though he threw for 345 yards and three touchdowns. He has 17 scoring passes, only three interceptions and a 64.2 completion percentage.
"David Carr is a great player," Hawaii associate head coach George Lumpkin said. "We expect him to throw and when nothing is open he takes off. We need to stop their running game and make him feel uncomfortable."
Carr threw two touchdown passes and ran for two others in Fresno State's 45-27 victory over Hawaii last season.
