Fresno State Athletics
Football Opens Spring Practice
3/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 13, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Evaluation is the key word for head coach Pat Hill as he takes his team through spring football practice, which began today at the Fresno State practice facility. The Bulldogs will have 14 more practices over the next 28 days, culminating with the annual Spring Game in Bulldog Stadium on April 6.
"Spring ball is the best chance to teach, coach and evaluate our personnel," said Hill, who has guided the Bulldogs to consecutive bowl appearances. "From a coaching perspective, this is a very important time of the year. We have a lot of players we want to see on the field and see how they have improved. We also need to look at some areas on our team and address and evaluate how good we will be. It's just as important for the players, who want to show the progress they've made and put themselves in position to climb the depth chart before fall camp begins."
Fresno State will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout spring practice and hold four scrimmages. The Bulldogs will hold their first scrimmage on Saturday at Bakersfield High School at noon.
"We pride ourselves on being the Valley's team and I think it's important to take the Bulldogs out to the Valley whenever possible," Hill said. "We have a lot of great players on our team from Bakersfield and I know they are excited to be able to go back home and see their friends and family."
Among the Bakersfield natives on the squad include senior quarterback David Carr, a second-team All-WAC selection last season. Other Bakersfield players include safety Bryce McGill, defensive end Justin Woltz, defensive tackle Jason Stewart, fullback Tim Osborn and center Keith McKnight.
The Bulldogs open the season on August 25 at Colorado in the Jim Thorpe Football Classic. They will host Oregon State, which finished last year ranked No. 4 in the nation, to Bulldog Stadium a week later, Sept. 1. In addition to the Beavers, Fresno State's home schedule includes: Utah State on Sept. 15, new WAC members Louisiana Tech, Sept. 29, and Boise State on Oct. 20, Rice on Nov. 3 and rival San Jose State on Nov. 24.
Fresno State has won 15 consecutive games at home, the third longest winning streak in the nation. Under Hill, Fresno State has posted a 27-22 overall record and a WAC record of 21-10, which is the best in the league over the last four seasons. Fresno State also owns a 19-11 record during the last 30 games, the third best record of teams located in the Pacific, Mountain or Hawaiian time zones.
Fresno State Spring Practice ScheduleSecond Practice March 14 3:30 p.m.Third Practice March 16 3:30 p.m.Scrimmage (Bakersfield HS) March 17 noonFifth Practice March 19 3:30 p.m.Sixth Practice March 21 3:30 p.m.Seventh Practice March 23 3:30 p.m.Scrimmage (Hanford HS) March 24 noonNinth Practice March 26 3:30 p.m.10th Practice March 28 3:30 p.m.11th Practice March 30 3:30 p.m.12th Practice March 31 3:30 p.m.13th Practice April 2 3:30 p.m.14th Practice April 4 3:30 p.m.Spring Game (Bulldog Stadium) April 6 7 p.m.
