Fresno State Athletics
Bernard Berrian Chat Wrap
8/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Berrian, a native of Winton, Calif., was a first-team All-WAC honoree last season and led the nation and set a WAC record with 2,776 all-purpose yards. He has been listed as the fifth-best senior prospect by Mel Kiper, Jr. and is a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver.
Fresno State is coming off an 11-3 record and a No. 23 national regular season ranking. The Bulldogs have played in a bowl game for three consecutive years. Their season opener comes August 23 at Wisconsin.
The following is a transcript of the August 19 chat:
For more on Fresno State, visit gobulldogs.com!
For a list of upcoming ESPN.com chat guests, visit SportsNation .
Moderator: Bernard Berrian should be joining us momentarily. Continue to use the form below to submit your questions. Thank you.
Bernard Berrian: Hello everyone! Glad to be here. I'm ready for your questions!
Cecil, South El Monte: Hello Bernard,
Can we run the nonconference table again this year? Road games at Oregon, Wisconsin and Oregon St. will be a big challenge, especially with the revenge factor in the mix. GO DOGS!!!!
Bernard Berrian: Oh yeah, we are going to try and do the same things as last year and prove that what happened last was meant to happen.
San Diego, CA: Bernard.
What have you done, both physically and mentally in the offseason to prepare yourself for the upcoming 2002 football season?
jr
Bernard Berrian: During the offseason, I have been in the weight room a lot, working out the whole time. I had summer school also. Most of us have been here all summer. We've only had about two weeks off.
Matt (Chicago): Hey Bernard I was just wondering if you read your fan mail? Thanks and Have a great season and continue the great work!
Bernard Berrian: Well, the mail I get from the football office, I read it all the time.
Brian: Thanks for sticking around. We all know what you can do, what are your thoughts on the rb position. Can Matt Rivera get it done, or will it be a core of the rb's that will split the time?
Bernard Berrian: Thanks. Yes, our running game will be stronger than last year. All our guys are good running backs and you will see them do a lot of things this year.
LEE(Visalia): We think Wisconsin might remember you. How do you prepare knowing that you will receive special attention.
Bernard Berrian: We have watched a lot of film! They wil play the same as last year with the safeties a little lower. It will be an interesting game. I have just worked that much harder knowing that teams will be ready for me. We just have to have everyone step up so it takes some pressure off me.
Mike (Tallahassee, FL, formerly Fresno): What's up Bernard? The WAC is generally considered to be an offense-minded conference with week defenses. Do you think that the WAC teams' defenses compare to the out-of-conference defenses you've played? And do you think the Bulldogs will have a strong defense this season? Good luck this year.
Bernard Berrian: We are known for being offensive minded but last year what got us known was our hitting and our defense. A lot of people noticed what we were doing defensively. You see the high scoring games, but we have just as many low scoring games.
Will from Fresno: What were some of the main reasons you decided to stay at Fresno State instead of jumping into the NFL?
Bernard Berrian: I want to finish my education.. I only have a couple classes left. I still have some things I need to do here.
Kevin Tarango(Lemoore CA): Bernard last year your offense was based on the arm of David Carr and the recievers like yourself. What can we expect to see this year to put points on the board for the Bulldogs, much of the same, or will you guys be a run first team?
Bernard Berrian: It's going to be pretty much the same. You always try to start with the run first. We will even throw to the RBs more. But we will be more of a passing team.
Jason Bakke (NYC): Questions for Bernard Berrian-
How confident are you that Jeff Grady will be able to step-in at QB and fill the shoes of David Carr? And do you feel that this year's team is as good or better than last year's team?
Go Dogs!
Bernard Berrian: I'm very confident. He has great skills and is a smart kid. He won't make any bad decisions. I know that for a fact. It's nothing new to me.
He doesn't have as much arm strenght so the ball won't get there as fast as Carr but he gets it there and that is all that matters.
Coach Derr: Good morning Bernard. Are you feeling healthy and have you had any further problems with your foot?
Play fast this Friday...all of us back in Falcon Country will be watching.
Go Dogs!
Bernard Berrian: Hi! I'm fine right now. There is nothing wrong my foot at all.
SunDevil (Scottsdale, AZ): Playing in the WAC hasn't seem to hurt your draft status, or David Carr's for that matter either. What made you decide to sign with Fresno State out of high school instead of a higher profile Pac-10 school?
Bernard Berrian: When I was recruited, some Pac-10 schools tried to get me but they just didn't show as much interest as Fresno St. I watched Fresno's games on TV and they were all close games. I could see changes happening here and were excited about it.
Jeremy (Irvine, Ca): Bernard, last year about this time, I posted a message to David Carr through this same ESPN chat. This year it is your turn. I see significance in this because I believe it is you, who is going to have a major impact on the team this year. Do you feel any added responsibility being the guy everyone, including the younger players are looking to, to help place this team back into the national spotlight?
Bernard Berrian: Definitely. It's a leadership role. A lot of times when you are one of the best players on the team, guys look at you to make sure you are following through. You have to be harder on yourself than you are your teammates. You can't say things and not do them, you have to go out there and do it.
Greg (San Francisco): What's the biggest change between your new offensive coordinator (Cignetti) and your previous one (Ludwig, who is now at Oregon)?
Bernard Berrian: It's more sophisticated now. He coached in the NFL so I like it a lot better. There are more options we can go to. It's hard to not get open in this offense. Someone is going deep on every play so that option is always there. We will put up some high numbers this year.
kyle (eldersburg): What do you think your chances of winning the Biletnikoff Award this season are? Go Bulldogs!
Bernard Berrian: Right now, I have no clue because I haven't played a game yet. I would love to win it but I don't really think about it. If you do, you aren't concentrating on what you are doing on the field.
Larry (Fresno): Bernard, as a fan, Bulldog Stadium is an experience!...What's it like down on the field to hear the fans?..Go Dogs!
Bernard Berrian: It's a great place to play. The fans are so wild and crazy. I love to see all the red and go find my parents in the stands. I love how they get on the opponents .. it's great.
Visalia : Do you feel that there will be another 96yd return in Wisconson? Also, does anyone call you bernie?
Bernard Berrian: Hopefully I can do that. We have some things schemed up for them!
Mike (Washington DC): Who do you think will give you the biggest challenge for your WAC title this year?
Bernard Berrian: It is between La. Tech and Boise. They throw the ball a lot as well. It's between them. They have good players on both sides of the ball.
brad-eugene: do you think the fact the ludwig is now at oregon, that might help you guys get an idea of what to expect when you guys play them. your defense will recognize the sets and might give them an advantage.
Bernard Berrian: It kind of does help, if he doesn't show up with a lot of new plays! We pretty much know what he does.
Derrick (Fresno, CA): Bernard, do you think Fresno State has a realistic chance at challenging for a BCS berth this year? Go 'Dogs!
Bernard Berrian: Yes. We felt that last year. It makes me sick sometimes, what happened last year. But we have the chance for that again this year.
Christina (San Jose): Any pregame superstitions? You a boxers or breifs dude?
Bernard Berrian: It depends on my outfit!!
Superstitions.. before we get on the bus I always take a shower. I'm always rushing to the bus because I shower at the last second. And I have to goof around on the field before the game.
Mike (Washington DC): If you could schedule one out of conference game, who would it be?
Bernard Berrian: I wouldn't mind playing Miami. Tennessee also. I would love to play them. Maybe Texas also. I would like to see what their receivers are like.
SunDevil (Scottsdale, AZ): What NFL receiver would you compare your game to, or is there anyone you try to emulate in your style?
Bernard Berrian: Whew.. that's tough. I have no clue. My favorite receiver is Jerry Rice. I have no clue who I would compare to though.
Andy (Kansas City): Whats your chances of going undefeated in conference?
Bernard Berrian: There is always that possibility. You can't really think about it though. You just have to go 1-0 every week and the rest will take care of itself. You just have to execute.
Thanks for your questions and for being such loyal fans. I have to run. Take care.
