Football Takes on No. 23 Wisconsin

Aug. 19, 2002

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Fresno State (0-0) at No. 23 Wisconsin (0-0)
Date: Friday, Aug. 23
Kickoff: 5 p.m. PST
Site: Madison, Wis.
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (76,634)
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); 'Dog Talk at 2 p.m., Pregame Show at 4:30 p.m.
Play-by-play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Vince Wesson; Sideline: Ron Shapley
TV: ESPN
Play-by-play: Dave Barnett; Analysts: Bill Curry, Mike Golic; Sideline: Heather Cox

This Week
Fresno State returns to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today, No. 25 Associated Press) on Friday at 5 p.m. PST at Camp Randall Stadium. The game is the opener for both squads and is the earliest the Bulldogs have ever opened a season in their history.

All-Time vs. Wisconsin
Fresno State and Wisconsin have only played once, that coming last year when the 19th-ranked Bulldogs defeated the No. 23 Badgers 32-20 at Camp Randall Stadium. This game will also mark just the second game Fresno State has ever played in the state of Wisconsin.

All-Time vs. the Big Ten
This will mark the fourth time in the last three years the Bulldogs have hooked up with a team from the Big Ten Conference. Fresno State is 1-3 all-time against the Big Ten, the only victory coming last year against Wisconsin. The Bulldogs have suffered losses to Ohio State in 1994 and 2000 and to Michigan State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic.

Last Time vs. Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. - Sept. 8, 2001: In one of the biggest victories in school history, No. 19 Fresno State continued its ascent up the national rankings with a 32-20 victory over No. 23 Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. Trailing 20-10 at halftime, Bernard Berrian took the second half kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown, beginning a flurry of offensive activity for the Bulldogs that saw them score 19 points in the third quarter. Berrian finished with 300 yards of total offense while the Fresno State defense shut down the Badgers in the second half.

Three in a Row
Fresno State played in its third consecutive bowl game last year, something it has done only one other time in program history (1991-93). The Bulldogs have never participated in four bowl games in a row. Last year, Fresno State lost to Michigan State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. The Bulldogs also played in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl and the 2000 Silicon Valley Football Classic.

In Case You Missed it in 2001
Fresno State ascended to No. 8 in the national rankings after starting the season 6-0. That was the highest ranking a Bulldog team ever achieved ... quarterback David Carr won the Johnny Unitas Award as the nation's top senior quarterback and was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He was also the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Houston Texans ... Fresno State became the first team in college football history to have a 1,000-yard rusher (Paris Gaines, 1,044), two 1,000-yard receivers (Rodney Wright, 1,630, and Bernard Berrian, 1,364) and a 4,000-yard passer (David Carr, 4,839) ... the Bulldogs tied a program record by racking up 11 wins and set another record with six road victories ... an average of 42,803 people jammed Bulldog Stadium for Fresno State's six home games, a new record.

Ward Ineligible for 2002 Season
Derrick Ward, expected to be the starting running back this year, will miss the entire 2002 season due to academic deficiencies. Ward gained 875 yards his rookie campaign in 1999 and was named a Freshman All-American. He had 216 yards in an injury-plagued 2000 and missed last year in an attempt to shore up his academics. Ward did participate on the practice squad last year and was named Scout Team Player of the Year at the team awards banquet for his strong effort.

Preseason Play
The Bulldogs appearance in the John Thompson Foundation Classic is thethird in a preseason classic. It marks the second straight season Fresno State has played in a preseason exempted event. The Bulldogs played Ohio State in the 1994 Pigskin Classic, losing 34-10. Last season, Fresno State defeated Colorado 24-22 at Boulder, Colo., in the Jim Thorpe Classic.

Bulldogs vs. the BCS Conferences
In 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 eventually played in the Fiesta Bowl. The following week, FS took out 2000 Pac-10 co-champ and then-10th-ranked Oregon State 44-24. Just six days later, the Bulldogs traveled to Madison, Wis., and defeated the Big Ten's Wisconsin Badgers, winner of two of the last four Rose Bowls, 32-20. Fresno State is taking on its fifth BCS opponent since the start of the 2001 season Friday at Wisconsin.

Bulldogs vs. the BCS Conferences - Part II
Fresno State has won four of its last five games against team from BCS conferences. Since Pat Hill has taken over at Fresno State, the Bulldogs have played 14 games against BCS opponents with another three on this year's schedule. Hill lost the first nine games against BCS teams, all on the road, by an average margin of 14 points. Four of those were decided by less than a touchdown and one was in overtime (at Oregon in 1997).

Conference Countdown
In each of 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. This year, Fresno State opens with three of its first four games against BCS opponents - Wisconsin (Aug. 23), Oregon (Sept. 7) and Oregon State (Sept. 21). All three of those games are on the road.

Over the Hill
Under Pat Hill, the Bulldogs are 24-4 at home and 19-2 in WAC home games with wins in 16 of the last 17 home conference games. Only two WAC teams have ever won at Bulldog Stadium: San Diego State in 1997 and Boise State in 2001. Hill's .857 home winning percentage is the best in Fresno State history of coaches with more than three years experience. His conference home winning percentage of .905 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.

Tough to Beat at Home
Fresno State's loss to Boise State on Oct. 19 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 24 of 28 games at Bulldog Stadium, including 20 of its last 22. Since Hill took over prior to the 1997 season, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined 1,028-513 for an average margin of victory of 37-18. In addition, the 'Dogs are drawing well, averaging 38,507 fans per game since 1997. Fresno State sold a record 32,855 season tickets for this season and attracted Bulldog Stadium record crowds of 42,881 in its last five home games, which eclipsed the previous record of 42,410, established in the 2001 season opener against then-No. 10 Oregon State.

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 on Sept. 22, which the Bulldogs successfully stopped. Fresno State has stopped seven of the last eight fake attempts dating back to 1997.

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 36 punts and kicks, including two punts against San Jose State. In fact, FS has three blocked punts in the last three games. 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      3         5        72001      5         1        6--------------------------------Totals   19*       17       36* includes instances when Fresno State tackled the punter beforehe could get kick away.

Taking the Attendance to Another Level
After showing up in record numbers in 2000, Fresno State fans got 2001 off to a rocking start when 42,410 crammed Bulldog Stadium (capacity 41,031) to watch FS defeat Oregon State 44-24 in the home opener. The fans continued to invade the stadium the rest of the year, with a record 42,881 watching each of the five remaining home games. All told, Bulldog Stadium was filled at 104.32 of capacity last year, placing FS second in the west and seventh in the nation in percent of capacity filled. Frenso State has exceeded capacity in 10 of the last 11 home games. This season, Fresno State has sold over 30,000 season tickets and is within reach of breaking last year's record.

Running Game Revival
Fresno State's running game in 2001 was a strong complement to one of the nation's best passing attacks. This year, several new faces find themselves trying to take over for Paris Gaines, who racked up 1,044 yards last season, the ninth-best total in school history. The top returner to the running back position is sophomore Therrian Fontenot, who gained 266 yards on 60 carries last year and is one of the fastest players on the team. Also expected to see time are redshirt freshman Matt Rivera and junior Rodney Davis, the brother of starting wide receiver Marque Davis.

Big-Time Bryce
Each game last year, it seems as if junior free safety Bryce McGill made his presence felt. Not only did he finish second on the team in tackles with 95, but he has done the intangibles that help the Bulldogs win. In the 2001 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. Against San Jose State, he had six tackles, including one for loss, and an interception, his team-high fourth on the year. McGill also has five interceptions in his Fresno State career, the ninth-best total in college football.

Active Career Interceptions Leader5. Syniker Taylor, Mississippi______ 96. Michael Lewis, Colorado__________ 87. Keyuo Carver, Nebraska___________ 6   Jason Goss, TCU__________________ 69. Bryce McGill, Fresno State_______ 5

Road Warriors
Fresno State will play seven road games for the second straight season. Fresno State racked up the most requent flyers miles in the nation last season and will have a couple long road trips again in 2002, at Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech and Rice (Houston).

One the Road Again
Entering the 2001 season, Fresno State had not been as successful as head coach Pat Hill would have liked on the road. But last year, that all changed. The Bulldogs went 6-1 away from Fresno in 2001, a program record for road wins in a season. Included in those road wins were victories over Colorado, Wisconsin and Colorado State. Overall, Fresno State is 13-18 on the road under Hill, including wins in seven of its last eight contests. FS still finds scoring on the road more difficult than at home. Under Hill, the Bulldogs are averaging just 24.1 points per road game while piling up 36.7 per game in Bulldog Stadium.

Berrian Blows Up
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian was simply one of the biggest offensive weapons in the nation last year. The 2001 All-American set a WAC record with 2,776 all-purpose yards and has been listed as one of the top seniors in the nation by ESPN's NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. In two games last year - Wisconsin and Nevada - Berrian had overall 300 yards in total offense. After totaling 1,364 receiving yards last year, the Winton, Calif., native needs 1,218 to become No. 1 on Fresno State's all-time receiving yardage list, a spot currently held by Rodney Wright, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. It was Berrian who helped turn around last year's game at Wisconsin with an electric 96-yard kickoff return to open the second half.

Berrian in Fresno State HistoryCareer Receptions                       Career Receiving YardageNo Name (Years)                 Rec     No Name (Years)                  Yards1. Rodney Wright (1998-01)_____ 222     1. Charlie Jones (1992-95)______ 3,3442. Brian Roberson (1993-96)____ 188     2. Rodney Wright (1998-01)______ 3,2743. Charlie Jones (1992-95)_____ 187     3. Brian Roberson (1993-96)_____ 2,9564. Charles Smith (1998-01)_____ 171     4. Henry Ellard (1979-82)_______ 2,9475. Larry Willis (1983-84)______ 142     5. Charles Smith (1998-01)______ 2,3686. Henry Ellard (1979-82)______ 138     6. Larry Willis (1983-84)_______ 2,2607. Bernard Berrian (1999-)_____ 134     7. Bernard Berrian (1999-)______ 2,127
All-Purpose BerrianWAC Record1. Bernard Berrian (2001)___________ 2,776   2. LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU (2000)__ 2,1983. Marshall Faulk, SDSU (1993)______ 2,174
NCAA All-Purpose Yardage (WR only)1. Troy Edward, La Tech (1998)___ 2,7842. Bernard Berrian (2001)________ 2,776
2001 NCAA Leaders1. Bernard Berrian (WR)__________ 2,7762. Mewelde Moore, Tulane (RB)____ 2,2593. Levron Williams, Indiana (RB)_ 2,201

Now That's Special
Fresno State features two of the top specialists in the nation this year in senior placekicker Asen Asparuhov and senior punter Jason Simpson. Asparuhov, a candidate for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker, established a new school single-season record for field goals with 23. He made national news after the Bulldogs defeated Colorado State, a game in which Asparuhov connected on a career-long 48-yarder as time expired to send the game into overtime then on a 43-yarder in overtime to win it. The Plovdiv, Bulgaria, native finished 2002 with 129 points, best in program history and 11th in the nation. Simpson, a candidate for the Ray Guy Award as the nation's best punter, had a 43.5 yard average per punt in 2001, 18th in the nation. Behind Simpson, the Bulldogs led the WAC in punting. Both Asparuhov and Simpson were first-team All-WAC selections last year.

WAC Coaching Leader
Pat Hill is the active WAC coaching leader in winning percentage with a record of 27-12 (.692). Here's how the other WAC coaches rank.

Overall (years)         Record           Pct     Current School  PctKen Hatfield, Rice_____ 152-107-4 (23)  .586     39-44-1 (9)    .470June Jones, Hawai'i____ 21-16 (3)       .568     21-16 (3)      .568Gard Nord, UTEP (2)____ 10-13 (2)       .435     10-13 (2)      .435

Marque is OK
Junior wide receiver Marque Davis had a big year in 2001 and will be a strong complement to All-America candidate Bernard Berrian. Davis played in 11 games last year and caught 29 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. His biggest game of the year came in the opener against Colorado, when Davis had eight receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. For the Dos Palos, Calif., native, it was a strong comeback after his 2000 season was cut short after sustaining an abdominal injury in preparations for the second game of the year. Marque is joined on the Bulldog roster this year by brother Rodney, a transfer from Fresno City College who will see time at running back.

The Bodyguards
Quarterback Jeff Grady will be more thankful than anyone that Fresno State has the biggest and strongest offensive line in school history this year. With an average of 6-5 and 320 pounds, this year's line is expected to be one of the best in program history and should provide Grady with time to throw and the running backs with holes to run through. All five players started last season and the group has been rated the seventh best offensive line in the nation by The Sporting News. The Bodyguard did a good job of protecting David Carr last year, allowing just 31 sacks in 542 pass attempts. They were the building block of the offense that shatter school records for total yards (7,022) and points scored (560/40.0 ppg).

Hurly Burley Man
Fresno State possesses one of the WAC's most dominating defensive players in senior end Nick Burley. The Lombardi Award and All-America candidate was a first-team All-WAC selection last year after starting all 14 games, making 42 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He combined with former Bulldog Alan Harper (selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets) to make up a defensive line that totaled a WAC best 49 sacks. Burley enters this year with 14 career sacks, which is tied for fifth in the nation. In fact, his presence on the defensive line has allowed the Bulldogs to become one of the nation's most sack-happy teams. Since 2000, Fresno State has posted 89 sacks, the second-best number in the nation during that time. Only Louisville, with 96, has more sacks since 2000 since the Bulldogs.

Bulldog Sack NumbersCareer Sacks No Name                         Sacks1. Dewayne White, Louisville______ 272. Antwan Peek, Cincinnati________ 213. Aaron Hunt, Texas Tech_________ 204. John Henderson, Tennessee____ 16.55. Derrick Burgess, Mississippi___ 14   Nick Burley, Fresno State______ 14

Ranking the Losses
Of Fresno State's last 13 losses dating back to 1999, 12 have come to teams that have either been nationally ranked, played in a bowl game or were bowl eligible. Of Fresno State's three losses last year, one came during the bowl game to Michigan State while the two others (Boise State, Hawai'i) were against bowl eligible teams. The Bulldogs' only loss to a non-ranked non-bowl team came Oct. 14, 1999, a 24-14 defeat at the hands of SMU.

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 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. Junior strong safety Bryce McGill received the most blackshirts of returning players during the 2001 season. He had seven.

Filling Big Shoes
The undaunting task of filling David Carr's shoes was won by junior quarterback Jeff Grady. Grady, who has attempted just 23 pass attempts in his career, redshirted last season. His last appearance was in the Nov. 4, 2001, against Hawai'i in a mop-up role of a lopsided Bulldog victory. His best performance was at Ohio State, Sept. 2, 2001, guiding the Bulldogs on their only touchdown drive of the day late in the game. Grady was 5-for-7 for 47 yards and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Marque Davis against the Buckeyes. Grady has played in 10 games as a Bulldog.

Carr vs. Grady
While the comparison of David Carr and Jeff Grady is difficult to calculate, it is interesting to note that the two took similar routs to get their first starting call. Here' s a look at the similarities.

Carr and Grady made their first college starts at a difficult Big Ten environment. Carr at Ohio State and Grady at Wisconsin
Carr and Grady each redshirted after two seasons at Fresno State and entered their first seasons as starters as juniors.
Carr and Grady each spent at least one season as a back-up to Billy Volek
Carr played in 11 games before getting his first start; Grady played in 10 games before getting his first start.
Grady threw three touchdowns and Carr threw one prior to getting the starting job.
Carr threw two interceptions; Grady has yet to throw one
Carr attempted 52 passes; Grady attempted 23

Fresno State - A.K.A. "Quarterback University"
The Bulldogs have three quarterbacks in the NFL for the 2002 season, tying Michigan and Florida State for the most of any college. Neither Michigan nor Florida State has had a quarterback taken in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft since 1990, while Fresno State has produced two. Here are some other QB University Notes (since 1990):

Each of Pat Hill's two starting quarterbacks are in the NFL (Billy Volek and David Carr)
Fresno State is one of three schools (Washington State and Tennessee) to have a No. 1 NFL draft pick quarterback and another quarterback taken in the Top 10. Of those, only Fresno State's quarterbacks are both still active.
Fresno State is one of five schools (Tennessee, Washington State, Oregon and Houston) to have two quarterbacks selected in the top 10 NFL draft picks. Of those, only Oregon and Fresno State's quarterbacks are both still active.
Fresno State's Trent Dilfer is the only top 10 drafted quarterback since 1990 to win a Super Bowl.
There have been 17 quarterbacks taken in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft since 1990 and Fresno State has produced two of them.

Schools with NFL Quarterbacks1. Fresno State____ 3   Florida State___ 3   Michigan________ 3

Fresno State's three current NFL quarterbacks
David Carr, Houston Texas (No. 1 NFL Draft Pick)
Trent Dilfer, Seattle Seahawks (No. 6 NFL Draft Pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Billy Volek, Tennessee Titans (free agent signee entering his third year in the league)

WAC Attack
Although the Bulldogs have the most wins (26 overall, 17 WAC wins) among WAC teams over the last three seasons, they have just one WAC title to show for it (1999). Fresno State was predicted to win the WAC in 2001, but tied for second. This season, the Bulldogs were selected third in the WAC Media Preseason poll, trailing Boise State and Louisiana Tech in the voting. Fresno State is the only WAC team to play in bowl games in each of the last three seasons. The Bulldogs are also WAC leaders last season in NFL draft picks (4), first-team All-WAC selections (6) and Academic All-WAC selections (9). Fresno State returns more first-team All-WAC players (4) than any other team in the league.

'Dog Bones (Team)

FS is 24-4 under Pat Hill at home, including wins in 20 of the last 22 games.
FS is 19-2 in its last 21 WAC home games.
Under Pat Hill the Bulldogs are 30-4 when leading at the half, including wins in the last four games.
The Bulldogs picked off 23 passes last year, third 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 in 2001, the largest attendance ever to witness a Bulldog victory.
FS has thrown 103 touchdowns and only 21 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 26-6 under Pat Hill when the `Dogs throw more touchdown passes than their opponents.
FS is 30-5 under Pat Hill when the `Dogs have less turnovers than their opponents.
The 'Dogs allowed a school record-low 13 quarterback sacks in 1999 and just 58 over the last three seasons. They have averaged allowing one sack every 23 pass plays over the last three years.
Fresno State had a 100-yard rusher against Tulsa, Louisiana Tech and Colorado State in 2001, the first time since the 1996 the Bulldogs had that happen in three consecutive games.
Fresno State has produced eight first-team All-WAC defensive players over the last three seasons.
The FS defense had 96 tackles for losses for in 2001 and have 218 over the last two seasons for a combined 873 yards, which is equivilent to more than half a mile.
This season marks the the second straight season Fresno State is playing 13 regualr season games and seven road games.
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 averaged 40 points per game in 2001, which ranked fourth 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 two first-team All-WAC punters (Jason Simpson, 2001; Jeff Roberts, 1998) and two kickers (Asen Asparuhov, 2001; Jeff Hanna, 1999) since the 1998 season.
Every Fresno State starter is from California. Only kicker Asen Asparuhov, a native of Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Victor Taifane, from American Samoa, are not California natives.
Fresno State is 7-4 in its 11 nationa television appearances over the last two seasons.
Fresno State played in front of above-capacity crowds in eight of its 13 regular games last year (vs. Oregon State, at Wisconsin, vs. Louisiana Tech, at Colorado State, vs. Boise State, vs. Rice, vs. San Jose State, vs. Utah State)
For the second consecutive year, Fresno State set a stadium attendance record in the home opener. Last 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 five games, the 42,881 that have attended established and tied yet another attendance record due to additional seating added to Bulldog Stadium.
Fresno State has sold out 10 of the last 11 games at Bulldog Stadium with an average attendance of 42,150, 1,119 more than the stadium's capacity of 41,031.
Fresno State is 16-2 in its last 18 games when the starting running back scores a touchdown.
In 2001, Fresno State was 63-of-71 in the "compete zone," scoring on 89 percent of the time inside the 25-yard line. The 'Dogs scored 45 touchdowns in 71 attempts (63 percent) inside the "compete zone."
The Bulldogs are 10-3 in their last 13 games when scoring first.
Fresno State's first score in 22 of the last 23games, including the last 18, 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, 2001 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 won six road games last year, most in program history.
The Bulldogs have allowed only 14 points in the second half of their last four games. They are outscoring their opponents 104-14 over those three games.
Fresno State is outscoring its opponents 140-27 in the third quarter of games this year.
FS has marked up its first 10-win season since 1991 and will be going to a bowl game for the third consecutive year, just the second time in program history that has happened.
Fresno State has allowed just 2.6 rushing yards per carry to the last five opponents.
Fresno State allowed just 28 total points (4.7 per game) in the second halves of the last six games of 2001, including two second half shutouts. The Bulldogs recorded four second-half shutouts during the year and allowed just seven points in the second half of four other games.
Fresno State outscored its opponents 154-34 in the third quarter of games last season, allowing less than three points per third quarter.
Twelves of Fresno State's 19 seniors from last season graduated, with five of the remaining players one semester from graduating and two are two semesters from receiving their degrees.

Fresno State Athletics

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