Fresno State Athletics
Rodney Wright ESPN.com Chat Wrap
9/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
 | |
| Wright has eight catches for 196 yards in two games this season. |
Wright caught seven passes for a career-high 182 yards and two TDs, including a 32-yard score with 10:13 to play in Fresno State's 44-24 win over Oregon State last week. The win propelled Fresno State into the AP Top 25 (19th) for the first time since 1993. The Bulldogs are 2-0 on the season, having defeated Colorado 24-22 in the Jim Thorpe Classic.
If Fresno State gets past the Badgers, they could have a legitimate shot at going undefeated in the regular season. After Saturday's game, the Bulldogs have 10 games remaining against unranked opponents.
If you missed Wright's Sept. 6 chat, an edited transcript follows:
For a list of upcoming ESPN.com chat guests, visit the Community section.
Rodney Wright: I am here and ready for your questions. Let's get started.
Larry (Fresno): Congratulations on the two big wins so far, how will the team FOCUS on Saturdays game and not let themselves 'dream' of what could be?..Go Dogs!!
Rodney Wright: We just have to take it one game at a time and zero in on winning this big one, we will be a lot better off. There has been a lot of media around, but we are trying to limit the distractions and focus on Wisconsin.C-SID (Fresno): Rodney, you've taken some vicious hits going over the middle in the past couple of years. But every time, you get back up. Have you always had that kind of toughness or is it something you've had to develop since coming to Fresno State?
Rodney Wright: It was instilled in my by my father. I just love playing football, it is part of the game. I just take those hits and get right back up because that is part of the game.Art (Hanford Ca,): you beat Colorado, then Oregon St #12 in the country, both times the underdog, now against the badgers you're still the underdog. Do you feel Fresno gets the credit it deserves
Rodney Wright: Since I have been here, it has been like that, so we expect that. If we go out and continue to win, the respect will come.FastFreddie in Fresno: Rodney..Congrats to a great start!! What a game you had on Saturday vs OSU! It will be a tough game no doubt about it this weekend. GO DOGS!!!!! How do you feel you match up with Wisconsin defenders for Saturday???
Scott, Pleasanton, CA: Rodney, Wisconsin stands to be the most physical game so far this year for the Bulldogs, how is the team preparing for this,especially the offense ?
Rodney Wright: As far as I know they have a great set of DB's. We have a lot of respect for them. But if we hit all our routes and do the little things, we should have a very successful game.Tulare: Just wanted to say Great Game. How did you feel about the goal post being pulled down? How do you feel about the balance of the season? Looking forward to seeing all the home games. Take Care. Good Luck. God Bless.
Rodney Wright: It was a great feeling watching the goalposts coming down. It was something we are not used to. It is really great to see the fans get so excited and Fresno start getting some recognition.Bigg Dogg (Miami, FL): What aspects of your game do you think you need to improve, or show you have improved this year in order to become an NFL receiver?
Rodney Wright: My routes and strength. If I can get those up to par, I think I can really play with anyone.It has been a dream since I was little. If it happens, it happens, it not I will just keep working hard and something will happen.
Bigg Dogg (Miami, FL): Fresno seems like a special place to play. Is the community support what everyone in the media says it is?
Rodney Wright: It is a football town. When I first got it here I didn't realize that. It is a great community and a great place to play football. I am glad that I am here.Jason Gibbs (Fresno): Is all this new found popularity in the media more of an incentive or a distraction?
Rodney Wright: It is an incentive. We have always thought that we could play with anyone, but now others are realizing that. But our coaches are keeping us focused and working hard. They know that if we do, the recognition will still be there.Greg (Daly City, CA): Great game against Oregon State first of all. Outside of Colorado State who is the other team that may give you guys some problems this season?
Rodney Wright: As far as I look at it, every game is a big game. We have to prepare for a dog fight every game because any team can beat any other team on a given day.Tim (Vallejo): What things about Fresno State football do you think are most attractive to potential recruits?
Rodney Wright: The intensity of the game instilled by the coaches. Since day one the focus is to play hard and play hard to the very last play. I think recruits like to see that when they come watch us.FresnoKing: Do you think Fresno State has enough offensive explosion to be a top 15 team in the country?
Rodney Wright: Yes, I do. With David Carr in the back and our running back and depth at receiver, we can play with anyone. We just have to work on our confidence and believe we can win.
RedDog (Houston): Fresno State seems to be all business. Is this atmosphere one created by the coaches or the players?
Rodney Wright: It starts with the coaches and ends with the players. We have to take accountability to step up to the challenge. If we continue to play hard, I think we are a legitimate top 20 college football team.Kyle (Phoenix): Hey Rodney, How do you think you'll fare at Wisconsin on Saturday? I've picked FSU to beat Wisc. in all my college pick 'ems.
Rodney Wright: Honestly, I expect a dog fight and will probably be one of our toughest games this year. All week they have been hearing how hard we play and they are prepared for that. So I think this will be our toughest game of the year.Oregon st Support: What did you feel Oregon State's biggest mistakes/problems were, over confidence, unprepared, just not up to the skill level? Was the secondary weaker than everyone else thought or did the Fresno St. Scouts just find big gaps?
Rodney Wright: Their skill level was great. I just don't think they were prepared for us and didn't realize what they were getting into. We are on a mission and I don't think they were ready for our intensity.The game was a bit of a surprise as far as the score. It was a dog fight the whole game and got a couple of scores at the end to seperate ourselves from the Beavers. But it was a dogfight the whole game.
Chris, Bedminister: Who in the NFL would you say closely resembles you?
Rodney Wright: I would have to say as far as style of play, since I am a little receiver, I am a Peter Warrick type of player. He is real quick and slashing type of player. That is my advantage.Austin: Being undersized at the wideout position, how difficult is it to match up with bigger corners and get open. Anand Jain
Rodney Wright: It hasn't really been a problem. The bigger corners have longer reach and get their hands on you. You just have to make the adjustment but I haven't really faced anyone like that yet.Rodney Wright: That is all the time I have for now. We are just going to continue to play Bulldog football and hopefully we'll have a successful season. Thanks for all the questions and comments, I appreciate it.I hope everyone catches us on Saturday (Sat. noon ET, ESPN)
Take care.
FB Weekly Press Conference [11/3]
Monday, November 03
FB highlight at Boise State [11/1/25]
Monday, November 03
Post-Game Press Conference [11/1]
Saturday, November 01
Instant Highlights: Fresno State 30, Boise State 7
Saturday, November 01