Football Travels to Take on SMU

Nov. 5, 2001

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Coach Hill Quotes From Monday's Press Conference
2001 Statistics
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Fresno State (7-2, 3-2) vs. SMU (2-5, 2-3)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Kickoff: Noon PST
Site: Dallas, Texas
Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000)
Radio: KMJ (AM 580), 'Dog Talk at 10 a.m., Pregame Show at 11:30 a.m.
Play-by-play: Bill Woodward, Analyst: Vince Wesson, Sideline: Ron Shapley
TV: KFRE WB 59
Play-by-play: Ralph Wood, Analyst: Randy Rosenbloom
Series: Tied 1-1

This Week
After snapping its two game winning streak, Fresno State (7-2, 3-2 WAC) looks for its first ever win in the Metroplex against SMU (2-5, 2-3 WAC). The Bulldogs take on the Mustangs on Saturday at noon PST at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Last Week
The Bulldogs racked up 506 total yards and 31 first half points en route to a 52-24 victory over Rice at Bulldog Stadium. David Carr went 20-of-32 with 334 yards, five touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in the victory. The game marked the fourth time this year Fresno State has eclipsed the 500-yard mark in total offense. It was also the most points the Bulldogs have scored in a game since totaling 58 against Nevada on Oct. 14, 2000.

All-Time vs. SMU
The Fresno State-SMU series is tied 1-1, with both teams having won on its home field. The series began in 1999, when an 0-5 Mustang team stunned the Bulldogs 24-14 at the Cotton Bowl. Last year, FS snuck by SMU 14-7. Saturday's game will mark Fresno State's first ever visit to Gerald Ford Stadium, which opened in 2000.

Rice vs. Fresno State - The Last Time
(FRESNO, Calif. - Nov. 18, 2000) - Fresno State scored 14 first half points and made it hold up in a 14-7 victory over SMU at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs got on the board on their first possession of the game with a Derrick Ward 53-yard touchdown run. Ward added another touchdown at the end of the half with a 1-yard plunge, making it 14-0. The Mustangs didn't muster a touchdown until 6:11 was left in the contest. Their chances of winning ended when Bryce McGill picked off a Josh McCown pass with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

Fresno State All-Time in Texas
The Bulldogs will be looking to change their luck in the state of Texas this week. Fresno State is only 2-11-1 all-time in the Lone Star State, including 1-2 last year. The only times FS has ever won in Texas came last year against Rice and in 1992 against UTEP. This year's game against the Mustangs is the only time the Bulldogs will travel to Texas this season.

Ticket Information
Just a scant few tickets remain for Fresno State final two home games, Nov. 23 against San Jose State and Dec. 1 against Utah State. These remaining tickets are expected to go fast, so Bulldog fans are encouraged to buy as soon as possible. Call the Fresno State Athletics Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS or go online to gobulldogs.com to purchase tickets.

Tough to Beat at Home
Fresno State's loss to Boise State on Sept. 29 snapped its 17-game home winning streak, at the time the nation's third longest. However, since Pat Hill took over, Fresno State has still won 22 of 26 games at Bulldog Stadium, including 18 of its last 20. Since Hill took over prior to the 1997 season, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined 918-471 for an average margin of victory of 35-18. In addition, the 'Dogs are drawing well, averaging 38,170 fans per game since 1997. Fresno State has sold a record 32,855 season tickets for this season and attracted Bulldog Stadium record crowds of 42,881 in its last three home games, which eclipsed the previous record of 42,410, established in the 2001 season opener against then-No. 10 Oregon State.

Racking Up the Points at Home
Fresno State has not only won consistently at home, it has done so quite convincingly. Since the 2000 season opener, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 332-181 over nine games at Bulldog Stadium, good for an average score of 37-20. This year, FS has kept the trend going by outscoring its opponent by a combined score of 164-106. The Bulldogs have scored 24 or more points in 18 out of their last 21 home games.

Taking the Attendance to Another Level
After showing up in record numbers last year, Fresno State fans got 2001 off to a rocking start when 42,410 crammed Bulldog Stadium (41,031) to watch FS defeat then-No. 10 Oregon State 44-24 in the home opener. That number places the Bulldogs third in the west and 13th in the nation in percent of stadium capacity filled. Last year, Fresno State ranked second among western schools and 22nd in the nation, filling Bulldog Stadium at 100.82 percent capacity. This year, with a record of over 32,000 season tickets sold and a team that is has ranked among the top 10 in the nation, Fresno State may break last year's gaudy attendance numbers. Following is a breakdown of where the Bulldogs rate regionally and in the WAC in percent of stadium capacity filled this year:

Bulldogs vs. the BCS Conferences
Through the first three games of the 2001 season, Fresno State proved it is as good as teams from the power conferences. The Bulldogs opened the year with a 24-22 win at Colorado of the Big 12, which afterward won five consecutive games and climbed to No. 14 in the polls. The next week, FS took out 2000 Pac-10 co-champ and then-10th-ranked Oregon State 44-24. The following week, the Bulldogs traveled to Madison, Wis., and defeated the Big Ten's Wisconsin Badgers, winner of two of the last three Rose Bowls, 32-20. Fresno State has one non-conference games left - Dec. 1 against Utah State (Division I-A independent).

SI Recognizes Hill
Fresno State head coach Pat Hill was selected the 2000 Bowl Coach of the Year by Sports Illustrated: "Fresno State's Pat Hill kept his players focused after they fell behind Air Force 34-7 in the Silicon Valley Bowl, and when the Bulldogs pulled to within 37-34 he disdained a 33-yard field goal attempt with 14 seconds to go and called for a fake kick. The ensuing pass fell incomplete, but what kid wouldn't want to play for a coach like that?"

WAC Coaching Leader
Pat Hill is the active WAC coaching leader in winning percentage with a record of 23-12 (.667). Here's how the other WAC coaches rank.

                    Overall (years)  Pct.    Current School (years)   Pct.Ken Hatfield, Rice    151-107-4 (22)  .584         38-44-1 (8)        .454June Jones, Hawai'i        18-15 (2)  .545           18-15 (2)        .545Gary Nord, UTEP            10-10 (1)  .500           10-10 (1)        .500

Over the Hill
Under Pat Hill, the Bulldogs are 22-4 at home and 18-2 in WAC home games with wins in 15 of the last 16 home conference games. Only two WAC teams have ever won at Bulldog Stadium: San Diego State in 1997 and Boise State two weeks ago. Hill's .846 home winning percentage is the best in Fresno State history of coaches with more than three years experience. His conference home winning percentage of .900 is also best in school history. The Bulldogs' four home losses over the last five seasons is only one defeat more than the number of home losses Fresno State suffered in 1996, the season before Hill took over as head coach. Prior to the BSU loss, Fresno State had won 17 games in a row at home, at the time the third-longest home winning streak in the nation.

Reviving the Running Game
After two games when the running attack seemed to be stuck in neutral, the Bulldogs ground game broke out with 172 yards against Rice last week. Paris Gaines led the way with 63 yards on 10 carries while freshman Therrian Fontenot added 59 on eight carries. This came only one week after the running game had only 68 yards in a loss at Hawai'i. But overall in 2001, the Bulldogs have been vastly improved on the ground compared to 2000. A big reason for the increased potency of the running game has been Paris Gaines, who now has 745 yards in 2001. The Bulldogs had a stretch earlier in the year with a 100-yard rusher in three consecutive games, including Gaines' career-best 203-yard effort against Louisiana Tech. Gaines currently leads the team with 745 yards, more than Josh Levi, last year's team leader, had all of 2000. Levi had 397 yards, the lowest total by an FS leading rusher ince 1983, when Calvin Scruggs had 343.

Tricks are For Kids
The Bulldogs have thwarted six consecutive fake field goal or fake punt attempts over the last two seasons, denying either a first down or touchdown. The last team to attempt a fake field goal on the Bulldogs was Tulsa last week, which the Bulldogs successfully stopped. Fresno State has stopped seven of the last eight fake attempts dating back to 1997.

Big-Time Bryce
Each game, it seems as if sophomore free safety Bryce McGill makes his presence felt. Not only does he lead the team in tackles with 63, but he has done the intangibles that help the Bulldogs win. In the season opener at Colorado, his vicious hit on CU quarterback Craig Ochs led to a fumble which Fresno State recovered. He had a game-high 11 tackles and an interception against Oregon State. In FS's WAC opener at Tulsa, he picked off two passes, the second of which set up a touchdown in FS's 37-18 victory. He helped shut down Rice's running game Saturday, accruing six tackles, including one for loss, in the win.

Block Party
Fresno State's special teams have thrust themselves into the nation's elite in blocking punts and kicks. Since Pat Hill took over as head coach prior to the 1997, the Bulldogs have blocked 28 punts and kicks, including an extra point at Colorado that ended up being the difference in the game. Following is a breakdown of Fresno State's kick blocking prowess since 1997:

      Blocked   Blocked        Punts   PAT & FG   Total1997      3         1        41998      2         4        61999      4         6       102000      2         5        72001      0         1        1--------------------------------Totals   11        17       28

All-Pupose Berrian
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian has proven to be one of the most valuable players for Fresno State this year. In addition to his explosiveness as a wideout, the junior also serves as one of the nation's best punt and kickoff return men. His significance was never more evident than against Wisconsin, when he caught eight passes for 102 yards, had 16 yards rushing on two carries, posted 29 yards on two punt returns and electrified the Bulldogs with 153 kickoff return yards, including a 96-yarder for a touchdown. All told, the Winton, Calif., native left Camp Randall Stadium with 300 all-purpose yards. Berrian has totaled at least 180 all-purpose yards in six of Fresno State's nine games this year, including a 217-yard day against Rice last week. He enters this week ranked No. 3 in the nation and tops in the WAC in all-purpose yardage (185.6). He is the nation's ninth best punt returner and 41st best kickoff returner.

Who's Better, Who's Best?
Entering the 2001 season, big things were expected of the Fresno state wide receiving corps. After nine games, none of the wideouts have disappointed. After Marque Davis broke out in the opener against Colorado, Rodney Wright and Bernard Berrian have seemingly taken turns dominating games. Following is a breakdown of the big efforts each has posted in 2001:

    Player           Opponent       Key Statistics

Marque Davis at Colorado 8 rec., 95 yds., 1 TD
Rodney Wright Oregon State 7 rec., 182 yds. (career high), 2 TDs
Bernard Berrian at Wisconsin 8 rec., 102 yds., 1 TD, 300 all-purpose yds.
Bernard Berrian at Tulsa 9 rec., 169 yds., 2 TDs
Rodney Wright La Tech 8 rec., 74 yds, 3 rushed, 37 yds.
Rodney Wright at Col. State 8 rec., 120 yds.
Rodney Wright Boise State 14 rec., 179 yds., 1 TD
Bernard Berrian at Hawai'i 9 rec., 110 yds., 254 all-purpose yds.
Rodney Wright Rice 8 rec., 145 yds., 2 TD
Marque is OK
Sophomore wide receiver Marque Davis had his biggest game as a Bulldog against Colorado in the season opener, pulling in eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The last of those eight catches may have been the biggest - a 16-yard gain on 3rd-and-14 with less than two minutes remaining and Fresno State attempting to salt the clock away. The Dos Palos, Calif., native was redshirted last year after missing nearly all of last year after sustaining an abdominal injury after the Ohio State game. Against CU, Davis surpassed his career receiving statistics. Prior to the Colorado game, he had six receptions for 37 yards and one touchdown in his career. After missing two games with a sprained ankle against Colorado State, Davis came back last week with one catch for 14 yards.


Whom to Cover?
David Carr hasn't just limited his pass distribution to wide receivers. He has spread the wealth around the field to a variety of different Bulldogs. In all, 11 different players have caught passes this year, including nine for touchdowns. His favorite target has been Rodney Wright, who has 67 receptions for 990 yards.
Conference Countdown
For the first three weeks of the 2001 season, the Bulldogs beat a team from a BCS Conference. After beating a Big 12 opponent (Colorado 24-22) in the first week, the Bulldogs hosted a Pac-10 team (Oregon State, 44-24) in week two. The Bulldogs made it a trifecta, winning at Wisconsin 32-20. The Bulldogs left conference play Sept. 22 to pick up a 25-22 overtime win at Colorado State. Fresno State has one more non-conference opponent - Utah State (Division I-A independent) on Dec. 1.
Tough Sledding
The Bulldogs have taken on the toughest schedule in school history, with the first three opponents of the 2001 season - Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin - against teams that were ranked in the nation's top 27 teams by both the Associated Press and USA Today's coaches poll at the time of the game. And FS hasn't been afraid to take on nationally prominent teams on the road. All told, the Bulldogs play seven road games this season, more than any team currently ranked in the top 10. Listed below are other top teams and the number of road games they play this year:

No. Road Games        Team(s) (Non-Conference Road Games)7---------------------Fresno State (3)6---------------------UCLA (2)5---------------------Oklahoma (1), Miami (Fla.) (3), Florida (0)                      Texas (1), Virginia Tech (1), Oregon (1),                      Tennessee (1), Michigan (1)4---------------------Nebraska (0)

Hitting the Road
Entering the 2001 season, Fresno State had not been as successful as head coach Pat Hill would have liked on the road. But this year, that has changed. The Bulldogs are 4-1 away from Fresno in 2001, including wins at Colorado, Wisconsin and Colorado State. Overall, Fresno State is 11-18 on the road under Hill, including wins in five of its last six contests. FS still finds scoring on the road more difficult than at home. The Bulldogs are averaging just 22.8 points per road game while piling up 35.3 per game in Bulldog Stadium.
Honorable Bulldogs
Fresno State players have dominated the WAC player of the week honors this year. It started after the Bulldogs' victory over Oregon State, when Rodney Wright and Jason Simpson received offensive and special teams honors, respectively. The trend continued when Asen Asparuhov received the special teams player of the week award after his field goals helped the Bulldogs defeat Colorado State on Saturday. Here is a list of the Fresno State players who have received either national or WAC player of the week honors this year:

Player                 Award(s)Asen Asparuhov---------WAC special teams player of the week (Colorado State)Bernard Berrian--------WAC offensive and special teams player of the week (Wisconsin)David Carr-------------USA Today, CNN/SI national player of the week (Oregon State),                       WAC player of the week (Tulsa)Paris Gaines-----------WAC player of the week (Louisiana Tech)Jason Simpson----------WAC special teams player of the week (Oregon State)Rodney Wright----------WAC player of the week (Oregon State)

In Case You Missed It
Rodney Wright needs just four receptions to break the Fresno State all-time receptions records. Brian Roberson set the record with 188 between 1993 and 1996 ... Wright has four consecutive 100-yard receiving games for the first time in his career. He now has nine as a Bulldog ... Wright needs 10 receiving yards to become just the second Bulldog to have two 1,000 receiving seasons in a career ... David Carr's 400-yard passing game against Hawai'i was the first of his career ... the Bulldogs have scored on their opening possession in four consecutive games ... Carr's five touchdown passes against Rice matched his career high and the six touchdowns responsible for equalled the school record held by Billy Yancy, Rod Kraft, Jeff Tedford and Mark Barsotti ... Vernon Fox had an interception against Hawai'i, his first since the 1998 season and only the second of his career ... Wright leads the WAC and is sixth in the nation in total receiving yards per game (110.0 per game) ... thirteen of Brett Visintainer's 54 kickoffs this season have been touchbacks, more touchbacks than he had during the entire 2000 season (four) ... Only three of David Carr's 14 interceptions the last two years have come at home. He has completed .664 of his pass attempts in Bulldog Stadium in that time ... Deandre Gilbert became the ninth different Bulldog to catch a touchdown pass this season. It was the second of his career ... Jason Simpson ranks 13th in the nation in punting with an average of 44.1. He leads the WAC by nearly two yards per punt ... Bernard Berrian now has 1,528 career receiving yards, ninth-best in Fresno State history ... Carr's 2,879 passing yards this year already ranks him fifth on the single-season list. He needs to average only 231 yards per game the rest of the season to break Trent Dilfer's all-time single season mark of 3,799, established in 1993 ... despite their 2-5 record, SMU leads the WAC and ranks 16th in the nation in total defense, giving up just 305.1 yards per game. The Mustangs are allowing just 188 passing yards per game
Ranking the Losses
Of Fresno State's last 12 losses dating back to 1999, nine have come to teams that have either been nationally ranked or played in a bowl game. Three of Fresno State's losses last season were to ranked opponents (No. 16 Ohio State, No. 15 UCLA, No. 17 TCU). Of the last 10 losses, the only loss to a non-ranked non-bowl team was to SMU 24-14 on Oct. 14, 1999. That was also the last loss Fresno State suffered to a team with a losing record. This year, FS has lost to Boise State and Hawai'i, both of which are on the cusp of being bowl eligible.
Smurfs
Despite their diminutive stature, the duo of Charles Smith and Rodney Wright were the most explosive receiving combo in the nation in 2000 until Wright's was injured causing him to miss five games. Smith missed the first three games this year but has become a vital part of the offense since returning. They are also Fresno State's top two returning receivers and rank in Fresno State's career top 10 list for receptions and yards. Wright is also only four receptions away from becoming the Bulldogs' all-time leader in that category.

                 ------CAREER------   ----------2001----------                 Rec   Yards   Avg.   TD  Rec  Yards  Avg.  TDRodney Wright    185   2,638   14.3   18   67   990   14.8   7Charles Smith    151   2,100   13.9   18   17   266   15.6   2Totals           336   4,738   14.1   36   84 1,256   15.0    9
Fresno State Career ReceptionsNo Name                        Rec   Yards   Avg.   TD2. Charlie Jones (1992-95)     187   3,344   17.9   253. Rodney Wright (1998-)       185   2,638   14.3   184. Charles Smith (1998-)       151   2,100   13.9   18
No Name                        Rec   Yards   Avg.   TD3. Henry Ellard (1979-82)      138   2,947   21.4   254. Rodney Wright (1998-)       185   2,638   14.3   185. Larry Willis (1983-84)      142   2,260   15.9   146. Charles Smith (1998-)       151   2,100   13.9   18

Carr's Bodyguards
Quarterback David Carr is more thankful than anyone that Fresno State will have the biggest and strongest offensive line in school history. With an average of 6-4 and 307 pounds, Fresno State's line is expected to be a strength, providing Carr with time to throw and open holes for the Bulldog backs. All five started at various times last season. One of the two newcomers to the group is the biggest player on offense, right guard Victor Taifane, who was a two-year starter at West Hills College, but missed the Tulsa game due to an injured elbow. The Bodyguards have been doing an good job in protecting their quarterback - Carr has been sacked just 16 times in 303 pass plays, only once every 18.9 attempts.
Carr on the Move
David Carr's sensational season seemingly has no end. He had his fifth consecutive 300-yard passing game against Rice, moving him closer to the top of the FS single-season passing yardage list. And despite only receiving significant playing time the last two years, he is still moving up on the career passing yardage list, as well. Here is where Carr ranks on both lists:

SINGLE-SEASON1. Trent Dilfer      1993   3,799   302. Kevin Sweeney     1984   3,259   203. Trent Dilfer      1992   3,000   214. Jeff Tedford      1982   2,993   245. David Carr        2001   2,879   266. Kevin Sweeney     1985   2,789   17
CAREER1. Kevin Sweeney     1983-86   10,808   692. Mark Barsotti     1988-91    8,093   503. Trent Dilfer      1991-93    7,631   534. Billy Volek       1996-99    6,532   575. David Carr        1998-      5,879   506. Jeff Tedford      1981-82    4,872   35

No Holding Harper
Senior defensive tackle Alan Harper (www.gobulldogs.com/alanharper), 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 seven games, he leads the WAC in quarterback sacks with 10 for -59 yards and tackles for losses with 19 for-84 yards. Harper now has 20 quarterbacks sacks in his career, an amazing feat for a player who is double-teamed nearly every play. Harper has climbed into NFL draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr.'s Big Board and is currently rated the No. 19 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. Harper has been awarded a Bulldog blackshirt in 20 of the last 21 games. A blackshirt is awarded by the FS defensive coaches for totally dominating a position in the previous game.

Alan Harper           2001     Career   WAC Rank   NCAA RankTackles for Losses   18-84     45-175     1st         9thQuarterback Sacks    10-59     20-112     1st         3rd

Getting Defensive
Through the first five games of the season, Fresno State's defensive front was operating on all cylinders. However, the unit took a hit against Colorado State and Boise State, allowing in excess of 100 yards rushing to both. Nonetheless, through nine games the defense is still posting a WAC-best 34 sacks and 68 tackles for loss. FS enters this week's game allowing an average of 120.3 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 26th in the nation. Last week against Rice, Fresno State allowed only 188 yards rushing, 90 fewer than the Owls' average. And two weeks ago against Hawai'i, the Bulldogs gave up just 30 yards on the ground to the Warriors.
Fantastic Fox
There's more to playing defensive back than making interceptions. Senior safety Vernon Fox, who has only two interceptions in his career, was selected first-team All-WAC by the league's coaches in 2000, an award that was applauded by the Bulldog coaches who felt it came a year too late. Fox was one of six players in the WAC with more than 100 tackles in 1999, leading the 'Dogs with 103, yet was left off both the first and second teams. Fox had 64 tackles in 2000, fourth on the team, plus had six tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks. Fox graduated with a 3.46 GPA in sociology and is enrolled in graduate school at Fresno State and is third on this year's team with 49 tackles.
Getting His Kicks
No player has improved more on the Bulldog team than junior punter Jason Simpson. In his first season, Simpson averaged 38.0 yards per punt and was very good at placing the ball, stopping 18 punts inside the 20 yard line. This season, Simpson has improved his average by eight yards per punt to 44.0, which ranks tops in the WAC and 13th in the nation.
Blackshirts and Bad 'Dogs
Fresno State has a unique way of honoring strong defensive efforts during games. Every week after defensive coordinator Dan Brown reviews game film, he makes note of the Bulldogs players who thoroughly dominated their position during the game. These players then receive plain black shirts to wear during practice the following week. Players not receiving blackshirts wear their normal practice uniform. Listed below is the game-by-game blackshirt list:

Game             Blackshirt Playersat Colorado......Alan Harper, Jason Stewart, Nick Burley, Maurice Rodriguez,                 Vernon Fox, Devon Banks, Bryce McGill, Tierre SamsOregon State.....Alan Harper, Jason Stewart, Nick Burley, Jake Probst,                 Clarence Denning, Maurice Rodriguez, Vernon Fox, Devon Banks,                 Bryce McGill, Tierre Sams, Kendall Edwardsat Wisconsin.....Alan Harper, Jason Stewart, Nick Burley, Marc Dailey,                 Devon Banks, Vernon Foxat Tulsa.........Jason Stewart, Maurice Rodrguez, Brian Morris, Marc Dailey,                 Alan Harper, Bryce McGillLouisiana Tech...Alan Harper, Jason Stewart, Bryce McGill, Kendall Edwards,                 Marc Daileyat Colorado St...Alan HarperBoise State......Alan Harper, Vernon Foxat Hawai'i.......Alan Harper, Vernon Fox, Sam WilliamsSMU..............Alan Harper, Del Hawkins, Brian Morris, Vernon Fox                 Kendall Edwards, Sam Williams, Marc Dailey
Bad 'Dogs: Marque Davis (at Colorado), Rodney Wright (Oregon State),           David Carr (at Colorado State), Asen Asparuhov (at Colorado State)

The Wright Path
Senior receiver Rodney Wright scored his first career rushing touchdown against Tulsa on Sept. 22. Wright has now scored a touchdown via rushing and receiving. He also has scored a touchdown recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown (vs. Nevada, 1999). Wright has thrown a touchdown pass (vs. Rice, 1999) and caught a two-point conversion for a score (vs. Rice, 2000). Fresno State is 9-3 in games when Wright scores a touchdown.
The Wright Path, Part II
Rodney Wright has become the go-to receiver for quarterback David Carr. In his last four games, Wright has exploded with 47 catches for 663 yards and four touchdowns. Two weeks ago against Boise State, he was all over the field, making a career-high 14 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. The 14 catches were the fifth-most productive day in Fresno State history. Since the season opener at Colorado, Wright has averaged 8.3 receptions per game for 122.0 yards. The Bakersfield, Calif., native now has nine 100-yard receiving games, including his last four in a row. Following are Wright's career 100-yard receiving efforts:

Oct. 14, 1999     at SMU             5 rec., 123 yds., 2 TDOct. 23, 1999     UTEP               7 rec., 156 yds., 1 TDNov. 20, 1999     San Jose State     7 rec., 139 yds., 1 TDSept. 23, 2000    California         13 rec., 174 yds., 2 TDSept. 2, 2001     Oregon State       7 rec., 182 yds., 2 TDOct. 13, 2001     at Colorado State  8 rec., 120 yds.Oct. 19, 2001     Boise State        14 rec., 179 yds., 1 TDOct. 26, 2001     at Hawai'i         9 rec., 145 yds., 1 TDNov. 3, 2001      Rice               8 rec., 145 yds., 2 TD

Injury Report
Nose tackle Jason Stewart missed his third game in a row against Rice with a concussion, suffered against Colorado State. Also missing the Rice game was Jake Probst, who has a sprained knee. Probst is expected to return to action this week while Stewart will be re-evaluated Monday.
'Dog Bones (Team)

FS is 22-4 under Pat Hill at home, including wins in 18 of the last 20 games.
FS is 17-2 in its last 19 WAC home games.
After posting 21 consecutive victories when leading at half, the Bulldogs lost two in a row when leading at the intermission against Boise State and Hawai'i. However, under Pat Hill the Bulldogs are 27-4 when leading at the half, including Saturday's win over Rice.
The Bulldogs have picked off 14 passes this year, eighth best in the nation.
Fresno State's victories over No. 23 Wisconsin and No. 10 Oregon State were the first time in program history it had defeated ranked opponents on back-to-back weeks.
The win over the Badgers was also the program's first over a Big Ten team.
A crowd of 78,506 watched Fresno State play Wisconsin, the largest attendance ever to witness a Bulldog victory.
FS has thrown 83 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions since the 1999 opener.
The Bulldogs have not been shutout in the last 131 home games dating back to Oct. 25, 1980, vs. Utah State (14-0). Fresno State has scored in 155 of the last 156 home games.
FS is 23-6 under Pat Hill when the 'Dogs throw more touchdown passes than their opponents.
FS is 27-5 under Pat Hill when the 'Dogs have less turnovers than their opponents.
The 'Dogs allowed a school record-low 13 quarterback sacks in 1999 just 20 in 2000. They have allowed 18 this year.
Fresno State had a 100-yard rusher against Tulsa, Louisiana Tech and Colorado State, the first time since the 1996 the Bulldogs had that happen in three consecutive games.
Fresno State has produced six first-team All-WAC defensive players over the last two seasons. Three of those (Vernon Fox, Alan Harper and Anthony Limbrick) are on this year's roster.
The FS defense had 122 tackles for losses for -459 yards in 2000. This year, they have accumulated 67 for -253.
This season marked the third year in a row the Bulldogs have played three of their first four games on the road. In fact, five of FS's first eight games were away from Bulldog Stadium.
The 'Dogs have led the WAC in scoring in three of the last nine years, including a nation's best 40.5 average in 1992. They are averaging 35.1 points per game this year, including 30-plus point outbursts in seven of the last eight games. Fresno State ranks 18th in the nation in scoring offense.
FS has produced two quarterbacks (Trent Dilfer and Bill Volek) who set NCAA records in the last seven years. Both are in the NFL, Dilfer with the Seattle Seahawks and Volek is with the Tennessee Titans.
FS has produced a first-team All-WAC punter (Jeff Roberts, 1998) and kicker (Jeff Hanna, 1999) since the 1998 season.
Fresno State's third down conversion percentage dropped from 50 percent in 1999 to 35 percent in 2000. This year, the Bulldogs are converting third downs at a 40 percent clip (45-of-113).
Only two Fresno State every down starters are not from California. Defensive end Jake Probst is from Midway, Utah, and safety Vernon Fox is from Las Vegas. Kicker Asen Asparuhov is a native of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Fresno State was 2-2 on national television (Fox Sports Net) last season and are 5-2 this year (ESPN, ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net).
Fresno State has played in front of above-capacity crowds in six of its nine games this year (vs. Oregon State, at Wisconsin, vs. Louisiana Tech, at Colorado State, vs. Boise State, vs. Rice)
For the second consecutive year, Fresno State set a stadium attendance record in the home opener. This year, 42,410 fans jammed Bulldog Stadium, surpassing the former record of 42,285, established against California in the 2000 opener. But in the last three games, the 42,881 that have attended established and tied yet another attendance record.
Fresno State has sold out eight of the last nine games at Bulldog Stadium with an average attendance of 41,989, 958 more than the stadium's capacity of 41,031.
After both Colorado (11-of-21) and Oregon State (8-of-17) converted third downs at or near a 50 percent clip, the Bulldogs held Wisconsin to only 5-of-15 on third downs, including 1-for-7 in the second half. FS has held its past four opponents to a combined 34-for-95 (36 percent) on third downs.
Fresno State is a combined 13-2 when either Josh Levi (6-0) or Paris Gaines (7-2) rush for a touchdown in a game.
Fresno State has converted on four of the last five two-point conversion attempts, including three in a row.
Fresno State is 40-of-44 in the "compete zone," scoring on 91 percent of the time inside the 25-yard line. The 'Dogs have scored 26 touchdowns in 44 attempts (59 percent) inside the "compete zone."
The Bulldogs are 9-3 in their last 12 games when scoring first.
Fresno State's first score in 17 of the last 18 games, including the last 13, has been a touchdown. Fresno State had a safety on the opening kickoff against Rice last year for the only non-touchdown first score.
The Hawai'i loss Oct. 26 snapped FS's five-game road winning streak. That was the team's longest since the 1988 and '89 seasons.
Fresno State's losses to Boise State and Hawai'i were the team's first back-to-back WAC defeats since 1998. The Bulldogs have yet to lose three conference games in a row under Pat Hill.
The Bulldogs defense allowed only 30 rushing yards to Hawai'i, the lowest total since Sept. 3, 1988, when they allowed just 20 to New Mexico in a 68-21 win over the Lobos.
Fresno State's 68 rushing yards against UH were its lowest of the season.
The Bulldogs allowed Rice only 188 rushing yards, 90 below its average.
FS is 0-2 on Fridays in 2001.


'Dog Bones (Individual)

Kicker Asen Asparuhov has made 27-of-39 field goal attempts (.692) during his career, including 18-of-23 (.783) this year.
Asparuhov has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top placekicker.
Asparuhov made a career-high four field goals against Colorado State, including a 48-yarder as regulation time expired to send the game into overtime and a 41-yarder to win it in the extra stanza. The game winner was selected the No. 6 Play of the Week by ESPN's Chris Berman.
Asparuhov's 48-yarder against Colorado State was the longest of his career. He was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the game.

Safety Devon Banks has intercepted three passes this year.
Banks was selected first-team All-WAC by The Sporting News after the 2000 season.

Junior cornerback Juan Bautista was awarded a scholarship during fall camp and was the unanimous selection by his teammates as the special teams captian for the 2001 season.

Receiver Bernard Berrian had back-to-back monster games against Wisconsin and Tulsa. Against UW, he totaled 300 all-purpose yards (153 on kickoff returns, 102 receiving, 29 on punt returns and 16 rushing), then came back Sept. 22 to establish career highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (169) while scoring two touchdowns. He ranks No. 3 in the nation in all-purpose yardage with 185.6.
Berrian is ninth in the nation in punt returns at 14.3.
Berrian was named second-team All-WAC last year by the league's coaches.
Berrian is 27th in the nation in receptions per game (5.89) and receiving yards per game (85.0).

David Carr was named the national player of the week by USA Today and CNN/SI after throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns against No. 10 Oregon State (9/2/01).
Carr has thrown just three interceptions in his last 287 pass attempts and just six in his last 403 attempts over the last nine games. He has thrown 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 2001.
Carr had 424 total yards against Colorado State, the sixth-best single-game effort in school history.
Carr is ranked No. 5 on Mel Kiper's Jr.'s "Big Board" for prospects for the 2002 NFL draft. He is the highest rated skill position offensive player on the board.
Carr is ranked second in passing yards (2,879), fourth in the nation in total offense (324.7), fifth in points responsible for (19.8) and ninth in passing efficiency (157.2).
Carr has six 300-yard games in 2001 - Colorado State (398), Oregon State (340), Tulsa (314), Louisiana Tech (319), Boise State (345) and Rice (334) - and a 400-yard game - Hawai'i (400).

All-WAC strong safety Vernon Fox has at least one tackle in 39 consecutive games.
Fox has started 34 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team.
Fox led the team with 103 tackles in 1999 and was fifth last year with 68. He is fourth on the team this year with 46.
Fox, who has begun work on a master's degree, graduated in May with a 3.46 GPA in sociology.
Fox last week received a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He was one of 16 players in all NCAA divisions so honored.

Running back Paris Gaines rushed for 203 yards against Louisiana Tech, the most of his career and the highest total by a Bulldog since Jaime Kimbrough had 212 against San Jose State in 1998.
Gaines backed up his game against Louisiana Tech with a 111-yard effort at Colorado State, the first time in his career he had back-to-back 100-yard games.

All-WAC defensive tackle Alan Harper has at least one tackle in 40 straight games, the longest streak on the Fresno State defense. He has been awarded a blackshirt every game since the 2000 season opener but one.
Harper is ranked No. 19 on Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" for the top prospects for the 2002 NFL draft.
Harper is first in the WAC in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (18).
Harper was voted the WAC Preseason Player of the Year by the media.
Harper is on the watch lists for the Outland Trophy Award.

Tight end Jeremy Johnson suffered a broken bone in his left wrist against Wisconsin and will miss the rest of the season.

Freshman Logan Mankins has started every game at the critical left tackle position and has not allowed a sack since giving up one at Colorado. "He has been very impressive for a first-year player. He is very athletic and very physical to do what he has done against the caliber of opponents we have played," Offensive Line Coach Dennis Wagner.

Bryce McGill is first on the squad with 64 tackles, including six for loss, three sacks and a team-high three interceptions.

Cornerback Tierre Sams ran a 10.46 100 meters in high school, which at one point was the fastest time by a high school in the nation.

Junior right tackle Joe Schey was named to the Verizon Academic All-District second team. He has a 3.3 GPA in sociology.
Schey was selected preseason All-WAC by Lindy's and The Sporting News.

Safety Cameron Worrell was a walk-on to the team who earned a scholarship after fall camp.

Rodney Wright was selected the WAC Offensive Player of the Week after his eight receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns vs. Oregon State (9/2/01).
A 1999 All-WAC receiver, Wright missed six games with a torn calf in 2000.
Wright had seven receptions for a career-high 182 yards against Oregon State (9/2/01).
Wright is averaging 147.3 yards per game over the last four games and has had over 100 yards receiving in each.
Wright had a career-high 14 catches against Boise State (10/19/01).
Wright's 7.4 receptions per game and 110.00 receiving yards per game are sixth best in the nation.
Wright posted 145 receiving yards against Rice and now has 2,638 in his career. He needs just four receptions to pass Brian Roberson to become Fresno State all-time leading pass catcher.

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