Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Head Into Final Week of Spring Football Practice
4/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 21, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - On a weekend that has brought Fresno State the highest amount of national recognition, it was business as usual for the Bulldog football team, which went through its final scrimmage of the spring session. Today's scrimmage, held in front of more than 500 fans at Bulldog Stadium, was comprised of 120 plays and called a "little lethargic" by head coach Pat Hill.
The Fresno State program celebrated the weekend as quarterback David Carr was the first player selected in the NFL draft, becoming the only WAC player and first non-BCS player since 1974 to earn that distinction. In addition, three other Bulldogs - defensive tackle Alan Harper, linebacker Maurice Rodriguez and receiver Rodney Wright - were also selected in the NFL draft.
The scrimmage, which was sprinkled with some big plays by young players, was not what Hill had hoped for on this weekend.
"That was not Bulldog football," said Hill. "We were not sharp and we looked sluggish. I thought there was some good hitting, which we do well, but overall I was not pleased. We had some good things happen, don't get me wrong, but overall it was not what we are used to around here."
Highlights from the scrimmage included:
- Redshirt freshman quarterback Paul Pinegar connected with redshirt freshman receiver Adam Jennings 46-yard touchdown reception and a 30-yard touchdown pass.
- Pinegar connected with tight end Duncan Reid for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
- Sophomore running back Therrian Fontenot had a 28-yard run.
- Pinegar connected with Fontenot for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
- Sophomore safety Nate Ray intercepted a Pinegar pass and returned it for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs concentrated on an over-the-field scrimmage and concluded with a two-minute drill with both the first and second teams.
Senior kicker Asen Asparuhov, an All-America candidate, connected on one of two field goal attempts, making a 38-yarder and missing from 52 yards.
The Bulldogs will conclude the spring session this week with two more practices on Monday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. before capping the week with the annual Spring Game Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The Spring Game is open to the public.
