Football Heads North to Take On No. 13 Oregon

Sept. 2, 2002

EXTRAS

Game 3: Fresno State (1-1) vs. No. 13 Oregon (1-0)
Date: Satuday, Sept. 7
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. PDT
Site: Eugene, Ore.
Stadium: Autzen Stadium (54,000)
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); 'Dog Talk at 10:30 a.m., Pregame Show at noon
Play-by-play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Vince Wesson; Sideline: Ron Shapley
TV: Fox Sports Net
Play-by-play: Barry Tompkins; Analyst: Warren Moon

This Week
Fresno State begins its swing through the Pacific Northwest by taking on Oregon (No. 15 in both polls) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net, the Bulldogs' third consecutive game on national TV.

Last Week
Raymond Washington blocked a field goal as time expired to help Fresno State hold on to defeat San Diego State 16-14 at Bulldog Stadium. Redshirt freshman Paul Pinegar received his first career start for Fresno State and performed well, going 21-of-35 with 196 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs built a 16-7 lead with 11 minutes left in the game but needed the heroics of Washington, who leaped high into the air to block Tommy Kirovski's 31-yard field goal.

All-Time vs. Oregon
The all-time series is tied 2-2, although Oregon has won the last two meetings (in 1996 and '97) after the Bulldogs opened the series with victories in 1981 and '82. Interestingly, both of the Ducks' wins have come in overtime, 30-27 in 1996 and 43-40 in 1997, the former being the first overtime game in Division I-A history and the latter being the only matchup between the two since Pat Hill took over at Fresno State. Also, both teams have picked up a win on the other's home turf.

Last Time vs. Oregon
EUGENE, Ore. - Sept. 20, 1997: A furious Fresno State comeback went for naught as Oregon came away with a 43-40 overtime victory at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks led 37-20 early in the fourth quarter when the Bulldogs began to chip away. After cutting it to 37-27, Jaime Kimbrough scored to make it 37-34. A Jeff Hanna field goal with 48 seconds left tied the game to force overtime, in which Oregon picked up a one-yard run from Jason Maas to win it. Billy Volek went 29-for-39 with 288 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.

Injury Update
The first two games of the 2002 season have not been kind to Fresno State as far as injuries are concerned. In the opener at No. 23 Wisconsin, both starting quarterback Jeff Grady (deep hip bruise) and star wide receiver Bernard Berrian (sprained knee) went down and could not play last week against San Diego State. Then against the Aztecs, starting cornerback Kendall Edwards was lost for the season after sustaining an ACL injury to his left knee. Berrian is not expected to play this week while Grady will be re-evaluated, at which time his status for the Oregon game will be determined.

Hitting the Road
Not only does Fresno State embark on a tour of the Oregon schools this week, but it also begins a three-game road trip that won't see it return to Bulldog Stadium in over a month. The Bulldogs' next home game isn't until Oct. 4, when Fresno State hosts Colorado State.

Preseason Play
The Bulldogs 23-21 loss to Wisconsin in the John Thompson Foundation Classic was the team's third ever appearance in a preseason classic. It marked the second consecutive 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, the Big 12 Conference and eventually played in the Fiesta Bowl. The following week, FS took out 2000 Pac-10 co-champ and 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. After opening with Wisconsin last week, the Bulldogs have two more games against BCS teams this year: Oregon this week and Oregon State on Sept. 21.

Bulldogs vs. the BCS Conferences - Part II
Fresno State has won four of its last six games against teams from BCS conferences. Since Pat Hill has taken over at Fresno State, the Bulldogs have played 15 games against BCS opponents with two more on the docket this year. 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). Last week, the Bulldogs were once again close, but came up short in a 23-21 loss at No. 23 Wisconsin.

Bulldogs vs. Pac-10
Fresno State is 16-21 vs. Pac-10 opponents all-time and 2-2 vs. Oregon. The Bulldogs have lost its last two games to the Ducks, both played at Eugene and both by field goals in overtime. The Bulldogs have won its last two games against Pac-10 schools, defeating No. 11 Oregon State 44-24 last season and beating Cal 17-3 in 2000.

Close Calls
Despite playing one of the nation's most challenging non-conference schedules, Fresno State has proven successful by either beating teams from the BCS Conferences or playing them extremely close. Since 1999, when the Bulldogs went 8-5 and began their run of three consecutive bowl games, Fresno State has lost 10 games by 10 points or less. Only four times have the Bulldogs lost by more than 10 points, the last time being Nov. 11, 2000 to No. 11 TCU 24-7. Fresno State's loss this season came by two points, 23-21 at 23rd-ranked Wisconsin.

Over the Hill
Under Pat Hill, the Bulldogs are 25-4 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 .862 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 25 of 29 games at Bulldog Stadium, including 21 of its last 23. Since Hill took over prior to the 1997 season, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined 1,044-527 for an average margin of victory of 36-18. In addition, the 'Dogs are drawing well, averaging 38,527 fans per game since 1997. Fresno State sold over 30,000 season tickets for the 2002 season, the third consecutive season the Bulldogs have surpassed the 30,000 mark. In the 2001 home opener, Fresno State established a Bulldog Stadium attendance record by attracting 42,410 for a game against Oregon State. The Bulldogs then broke and tied the attendance mark when 42,881 invaded the stadium the final five home games of the year.

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.

Dis-N-Data
There are some lopsided numbers on the stat sheet after two games. Here's a look: The Bulldogs have seven more sacks than their opponents (10-3) ... FS has not rushed for a touchdown this season while the opponents have ran for three ... the 'Dogs lead their opponents in TD passes 4-1.

Penalty Problems
Fresno State has had its problems so far this year with penalties, something that has worried head coach Pat Hill. In the opener against No. 23 Wisconsin, the Bulldogs had 11 penalties for 99 yards and gave the Badgers five first downs via a penalty. Then last week against San Diego State, Fresno State had seven more penalties for 74 yards and gave the Aztecs four first downs via penalty.

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 35 punts and kicks, perhaps none bigger than last week, when Raymond Washington blocked a 31-yard field goal as time expired, preserving Fresno State's 16-14 win over San Diego State. 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        82001      5         1        62002      0         1        1--------------------------------Totals   17*       18       35* includes instances when Fresno State tackled the punterbefore he 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. Fresno State has exceeded capacity in 10 of the last 11 home games. This season, over 30,000 season tickets have been sold and the Bulldogs are within reach of breaking last year's record. Following is a breakdown of where the Bulldogs rated regionally and in the WAC in percent of stadium capacity filled last year:

On 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 13-19 on the road under Hill but have won seven of its last nine road contests. FS still finds scoring on the road more difficult than at home. Under Hill, the Bulldogs are averaging just 23.8 points per road game while piling up 36.0 per game in Bulldog Stadium.

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 long road trips this year to Madison, Wis. (Wisconsin), Houston (Rice) and Ruston, La. (Louisiana Tech). In addition, the Bulldogs will have a long road to hoe. The team began their season Aug. 23 and plays their regular season finale Dec. 5.

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 season opener, McGill picked up where he left off in 2001, making nine tackles against Wisconsin. The Bakersfield, Calif., native also had a tackle for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which led to a Fresno State touchdown. McGill also has five interceptions in his Fresno State career, the ninth-best total in college football entering this year.

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

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. Unfortunately for Fresno State, Berrian suffered a sprained knee in the season opener at Wisconsin and has been out since. He is not expected to play this week at Oregon.

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-)_____ 136     7. Bernard Berrian (1999-)______ 2,181
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.

Ranking the Losses
Of Fresno State's last 14 losses dating back to 1999, 13 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 'Dogs lost to No. 23 Wisconsin in the 2002 season opener. Fresno State's next scheduled ranked opponent is No. 15 Oregon on Sept. 7. The Bulldogs' only loss to a non-ranked non-bowl team came Oct. 14, 1999, a 24-14 defeat at the hands of SMU.

WAC Coaching Leader
Pat Hill is the active WAC coaching leader in winning percentage with a record of 38-26 (27-12 WAC), a winning percentage of .594. Here's how the other top WAC coaches rank in career winning percentage.

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

Davis Connection
Wide receiver Marque Davis had a big year in 2001 and will serve as a strong complement to All-America candidate Bernard Berrian in 2002. Davis played in 11 games last year, catching 29 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. This year, the junior leads the Bulldogs with nine catches for 99 yards. Marque is joined in 2002 by his brother Rodney, a junior running back who transferred from Fresno City College. Rodney had a good game against San Diego State, rushing for 80 yards on 16 carries, while Marque had three catches for 30 yards.

The Bodyguards
Quarterbacks Jeff Grady and Paul Pinegar will be more thankful than anyone Fresno State has the biggest and strongest offensive line in school history this year. At 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 and Pinegar 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 Bodyguards did a good job of protecting David Carr last year, allowing just 31 sacks in 542 pass attempts. They were the building blocks of the offense that shattered school records for total yards (7,022) and points scored (560/40.0 ppg). Thus far, the Bodyguards have allowed just 1.5 sacks per game.

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 106 sacks, the best number in the nation during that time.

Bulldog Sack NumbersCareer SacksNo Name                       Sacks1. Dewayne White, Louisville______ 272. Antwan Peek, Cincinnati________ 213. Aaron Hunt, Texas Tech_________ 204. John Henderson, Tennessee____ 16.55. Nick Burley, Fresno State______ 16Note: Statistics do not include Monday's games

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. Two Bulldogs, Nick Burley and Cameron Worrell, won blackshirts for their performances against Wisconsin. Burley also received a blackshirt this week for the San Diego State game.

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. He opened the season with a strong performance at Wisconsin, going 21-of-42 with 262 yards and three touchdowns. However, in that game Grady suffered a deep bruise of his right hip, an injury that caused him to miss last week's game against San Diego State. While Grady is out, redshirt freshman Paul Pinegar takes over. The Woodland, Calif., native helped lead Fresno State to a 16-14 over the Aztecs and will start this week at Oregon is Grady is deemed not ready to go.

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 are 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 as redshirt junior starters.
Carr and Grady each spent at least one season as a backup 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's first start was a 43-10 loss at No. 15 Ohio State, in which he completed 26 of 44 passes for 238 yards with four interceptions and no touchdowns; Grady's first start was a 23-21 loss at No. 23 Wisconsin, in which he completed 21 of 42 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

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.

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)

'Dog Bones (Team)

FS is 25-4 under Pat Hill at home, including wins in 21 of the last 23 games.
FS is 19-2 in its last 21 WAC home games.
Under Pat Hill the Bulldogs are 31-4 when leading at the half, including wins in the last five games.
The Bulldogs picked off 23 passes last year, third best in the nation.
Fresno State's 2001 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 107 touchdowns and only 23 interceptions since the 1999 opener.
The Bulldogs have not been shutout in the last 132 home games dating back to Oct. 25, 1980, vs. Utah State (14-0). Fresno State has scored in 156 of the last 157 home games.
FS is 26-7 under Pat Hill when the 'Dogs throw more touchdown passes than their opponents.
FS is 31-5 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 61 over the last three seasons. They have averaged allowing one sack every 23 pass plays over the last three years and did not allow a sack in the season opener at Wisconsin.
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 regular 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 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.
Nearly 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 8-5 in its 13 national television appearances over the last three 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 12 games at Bulldog Stadium with an average attendance of 41,897, 866 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 11-4 in their last 15 games when scoring first.
Fresno State's first score in the last 19 consecutive games had been a touchdown until last week against San Diego State, when Asen Asparuhov kicked a field goal to get the Bulldogs on the board first. Nonetheless, Fresno State's first score in 23 of the last 25 games has been a TD.
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.
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 allowed just 41 total points (5.9 per game) in the second halves of the last seven games, including two second half shutouts. The Bulldogs recorded four second half shutouts last 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.
Twelve of Fresno State's 19 seniors from last season graduated, with five of the remaining players one semester from graduating. In addition, two are two semesters from receiving their degrees.

'Dog Bones (Individual)
#35 David Adamo, 6-2, 235, Sophomore, Linebacker, Fresno, Calif. (Math)

Has two starts at ooutside linebacker and played very solid.
Has 10 tackles, including eight solo trackles in the first two games.

#32 Asen Asparuhov, 6-5, 215, Senior, Kicker, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Computer Science)

Lou Groza Award Candidate, rated the sixth best kicker by The Sporting News.
Has made 35-of-50 field goal attempts (.700) during his career, including 23-of-30 (.767) last year. His 23 field goals set the Fresno State single season record.
Has made four of six field goal attempts in 2002 (.667). His two misses were from 55 and 43-yards.
Was named a semifinalist for the 2001 Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top placekicker.
Made a career-high four field goals against Colorado State, including a 48-yarder as regulation time expired to send the game into overtime and a 41-yarder to win it in the extra stanza. The game winner was selected the No. 6 Play of the Week by ESPN's Chris Berman.
Kicked a 48-yarder against Colorado State was the longest of his career. He was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the game.
Set a school record for points points by a kicker (129)
One of three players on the team not from the state of California and the only foreign player on the team

#20 Juan Bautista, 5-7, 185, Senior, Cornerback, Fresno, Calif. (Health Science)

Was awarded a scholarship during fall camp of 2002 and was the unanimous selection by his teammates as the special teams captian for the 2001 season.

#2 Bernard Berrian, 6-2, 190, Senior, Receiver, Winton, Calif. (Communications)

Biletnikoff Award Candidate.
Was named to the 2002 Playboy All-America team.
Had two receptions for 54 yards and a 22-yard touchdown in the season opener vs. Wisconsin before leaving the game with the knee sprain. He is questionable for this week.
No. 5 rated player for the 2003 NFL draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr.
Had the type of game an all-purpose wideout dreams about against Nevada in 2001. He had 166 receiving yards, 79 rushing yards on one carry, a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 49-yard kickoff return. All told, he set a school record for all-purpose yards with 357.
Finshed the season ranked first in the nation in all-purpose yardage (2,776) and second in all-purpose yards per game (199.3).
Had 300 all-purpose yards against Wisconsin in 2001, including a 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown.
Was named first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association in 2001.
Was 10th in the nation in punt returns at 14.2 and 28th in kickoff returns at 24.9. He returned both a punt and kickoff return for a touchdown last year.
Was named first-team All-WAC in 2001 as both a receiver and a return specialist.
Shattered the WAC record for all-purpose yardage in 2001 with 2,776 yards, the second highest total in NCAA history by a receiver.
Ranked 13th in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (97.7) and 31st in the nation in receptions per game (5.85) in 2001.
Averaged 17.5 yards per game every time he touched the ball last season.
Had 1,364 receiving yards, third most in Fresno State history and 13 touchdown receptions, second most all-time.

#90 Nick Burley, 6-4, 250, Senior, Defensive End, East Palo Alto, Calif. (Child and Family Studies)

All-America and Lombardi Award Candidate.
Named to the Lombardi Award Watch List.
Had five tackles, three tackles for losses, two sacks and a pass deflection in the season opener against Wisconsin, earning a blackshirt.
Rated the nation's 15th-best defensive end by The Sporting News.
2001 first-team All-WAC selection.
Ranked second on the team and in the WAC to former Bulldog Alan Harper in quarterback sacks (8) and tackles for losses (13).
Has 18 career sacks, fifth among active college players.
Has 29 career tackles for losses and 128 yards.
Has four fumble recoveries and one interception with a 27-yard return for touchdown.
Played all last season with a cast on his left thumb, protecting a broken bone and torn ligament suffered in the final scrimmage of the 2001 fall camp.
Could have had three interceptions last season without the cast, but couldn't hold onto the ball.
The Bulldogs' defensive leader against San Diego State with nine tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery.
Leads the team with 17 tackles and three sacks through the first two games.

#31 Marc Dailey, 6-1, 230, Junior, Middle Linebacker, Fresno, Calif. (Criminology)

Started all 14 games at middle linebacker last season, recording 86 tackles, third most on the team.
2001 honorable mention All-WAC selection.
Had seven tackles, one sack and a tackle for a loss and forced a fumble against Wisconsin.
Has 11 tackles, two for losses and a sack on the season.

#1 Marque Davis, 6-0, 185, Junior, Receiver, Dos Palos, Calif. (Sociology) Pronounced: Markay

Fresno State's top receiver with nine receptions for 99 yards.
Led the team with six receptions for 69 yards against Wisconsin.
Fourth on the team in 2001 with 29 receptions for 368 yards and four touchdowns despite missing two games with an ankle injury suffered against Colorado State.
Best games was vs. Colorado in the 2001 season opener with eight receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Has one blocked punt and on another occasion tackled the punter before he could punt the ball in 2001.

#22 Rodney Davis, 5-9, 210, Junior, Running Back, Dos Palos, Calif. (Undeclared)

Fresno State's top rusher with 99 yards on 24 carries. Averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Has two receptions for 11 yards.
Emerging as Fresno State's top threat out of the backfield after joining the team in the fall.

#93 Clarence Denning, 6-3, 275, Junior, Defensive Tackle, Modesto, Calif. (Chicano and Latino Studies)

Ranks second on the team in tackles for losses with three (-8) and sacks with two (-7)
A projected starter who missed a lot of fall camp to spend time with a terminally ill relative.
Honorable mention All-WAC last season after playing in all 14 games and starting four at end.
Blackshirt winner vs. Oregon State.

#39 Kendall Edwards, 5-11, 200, Junior, Cornerback, Riverside, Calif. (Chicano and Latino Studies)

Fresno State's top cornerback who suffered a torn ACL vs. San Diego State and will miss the season.
Returning starter who earned honorable mention All-WAC honors in 2001 despite playing in only nine games.
Had three interceptions and 27 tackles last season.
A special teams star and one of the hardest hitters on the team.

#7 Therrian Fontenot, 5-11, 180, Sophomore, Running Back, Lawndale, Calif. (Chicano and Latino Studies)

Fastest player on the team (4.3 in 40-yard dash) who can break a game open.
Had 266 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry last season in a limited role.

#15 Jeff Grady, 6-2, 200, Junior, Quarterback, Huntington Beach, Calif. (History)

Completed 21-of-42 passes for 238 yards three touchdowns and two interceptions in his first career start.
Suffered a bruised hip vs. Wisconsin and missed the San Diego State game.
Played in 10 games in his career before earning his first start vs. Wisconsin (8/23/02)
Completed 11 of 23 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Honor student who will contend for academic honors.

#81 Alec Greco, 6-3, 230, Junior, Tight End, Auburn, Calif. (Entrepreneurship)

His only catch vs. Wisconsin was for a 23-yard touchdown.
Started 11 games last season and caught 24 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns.
Started 21 games in his career, playing in all 27 games over the last two seasons.
Has scored seven touchdowns in his career.

#18 Adam Jennings, 5-9, 185, Redshirt Freshman, Receiver, Granite Bay, Calif. (Undeclared)

Ranks third on the team with eight receptions for 97 yards.
Leads the team and ranks fourth in the WAC in punt returns (9.3 per return).
Has great speed and quickness and has emerged as one of the top receiving threats on the team.
Earned the Bulldog Award after spring drills for outstanding overall performance.

#74 Logan Mankins, 6-4, 305, Sophomore, Left Tackle, Catheys Valley, Calif. (Agricultural Education)

2001 first-team Freshman All-American.
Started every game at the critical left tackle position as a freshman and allowed just two sacks.

#5 Bryce McGill, 5-11, 210, Junior, Strong Safety, Bakersfield, Calif. (Communication and Journalism)

Led the team with eight solo tackles vs. Wisconsin, plus forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Second on the squad with 95 tackles in 2001, including 10 for loss, four sacks and a team-high four interceptions.
Named the Special Teams MVP of the Silicon Valley Football Classic after blocking a punt.
Rated as the nation's 19th-best safety by The Sporting News.
Pound for pound the strongest player and hardest hitter on the team.
Has 10 career sacks and five career interceptions, fifth-most by an active college player.
Has 14 tackles, third most on the team, with one sack, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

#72 Rodney Michael, 6-4, 305, Senior, Center, Tehachapi, Calif. (Sociology)

Named to the Outland Trophy watch list prior to the season.
Has already graduated and is working on his master's degree.
Rated as the 21st best center in the nation by The Sporting News.
Leads the offensive line that is rated as the nation's seventh-best unit byThe Sporting News.
A consensus preseason All-WAC selection.
Has started 37 games in his career, including 25 consective.

#13 Paul Pinegar, 6-4, 215, Redshirt Freshman, Quarterback, Woodland, Calif. (Undeclared)

Earned his first start in 24 hours notice and guided Fresno State to a 16-14 win over San Diego State last week.
Completed 21-of-35 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown, a 4-yarder to Deandre Gilbert.
Ranks fourth in the WAC after two games in passing efficiency (119.0) and is third in completionpercentage.

#30 Matt Rivera, 5-9, 195, Freshman, Running Back, Fresno, Calif. (undeclared)

Rushed for 21 yards and had six receptions for 58 yards in his first career game.
A walk-on redshirt who earned the starting running back position by hard work and production.Leaped up from fourth on the depth chart because of his consistency and ability to make big plays.
Is the best blocking back on the team.
Second on the team in rushing (42 yards) and receiving (78 yards)

#23 James Sanders, 5-11, 190, Redshirt Freshman, Strong Safety, Porterville, Calif. (Undeclared)

Emerged as Fresno State's nickel back.
Ranks fifth on the team with 11 tackles and has one sack.
A physical presence on the field and has been one of the most effective covermen.

#75 Joe Schey, 6-6, 330, Senior, Right Tackle, Diamond Bar, Calif. (Sociology)

Did not allow a quarterback sack all last season and has not allowed one in 18 straight games.
Has started 30 games in his career, including 26 in a row.
Named to the Verizon Academic All-District second team in 2001.
Graduated in May with a 3.3 GPA in sociology. He is enrolled in graduate school classes
A consensus preseason All-WAC selection and rated the 18th best tackle in the nation by The Sporting News.

#48 Jason Simpson, 6-1, 195, Senior, Punter, Garden Grove, Calif. (Administration-Leisure Studies)

Ray Guy Award Candidate, who is averaging 43.6 yards per punt and placed three of his 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.
First-team All-WAC in 200, who is rated as the nation's 9th-best punter in the preseason by The Sporting News.
Entering his third year as the starting punter.
Averaged a WAC-best 43.5 yards per punt, 18th best in the NCAA
Placed 20 of his 22 punts in 2001 inside the 20-yard line.

#91 Jason Stewart, 6-1, 285, Senior, Nose Tackle, Bakersfield, Calif. (Sociology)

Entering his third season as a starter, and has 11 tackles and one sack this season.
Honorable mention All-WAC in 2001.
One of the strongest players on the team and plays with great enthusiasm and emotion.

#67 Fitu Tu'ua, 6-5, 325, Junior, Left Guard, Oceanside, Calif. (Criminology)

Second-team All-WAC selection in 2001.
Started 20 games in his career, including 12 of the last 13.
Selected preseason All-WAC by several publications.

#29 Raymond Washington, 6-0, 191, Reshirt Freshman, Cornerback, Long Beach, Calif. (Undeclared)

Expected to replace injured Kendall Edwards as the starting cornerback.
Block a 31-yard field goal attempt as time expired vs. San Diego State (8-29-02) to preserve a win for Fresno State.
One of the top athletes on the team.
Has one tackle this season.
WAC Special Teams Player of the Year after the San Diego State game.

#40 Sam Williams, 6-5, 245, Senior, Outside Linebacker, Clayton, Calif. (Sociology)

Led the team with 11 tackles and recovered a fumble vs. Wisconsin.
Second year starter who was selected team captain.
Emerged late last season and earned honorable mention All-WAC honors despite only starting the last seven games.
Had 61 tackles, seventh-most on the team, including four tackles for losses and two sacks.

#24 Cameron Worrell, 5-11, 205, Senior, Free Safety, Chowchilla, Calif. (undeclared)

Earned his first blackshirt after getting eight tackles, forcing a fumble, getting a tackle for a loss and a sack against Wisconsin.
A walk-on to the team who earned a scholarship in 2001 and earned the starting spot at free safety.
Had four tackles for losses and two quarterback sacks last season to go with 31 tackles.
Has three career interceptions, with the last coming against San Diego State (8-29).
Ranks second on the team in tackles with 14, and has one sack, two batted passes, an interception, and a forced fumble

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