Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Begin Spring Drills Monday
3/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 7, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Pat Hill welcomes back 87 players from the 2003 football squad and will begin running the Bulldogs through spring drills beginning Monday, March 8. The first practice, which is open to the public, will be held at 3:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs, winners if six of their final seven games in 2003, including a 17-9 win over UCLA in the Silicon Valley Football Classic, return 18 starters, nine on offense and eight on defense. The Bulldogs have won 29 games over the last three seasons, sixth most of any program in the nation. The Bulldogs open the 2004 season at Washington, Sept. 5.
"We are excited about getting started this spring," said Hill. "Spring ball is always a good time for teaching fundamental and working with the players. It's also a great opportunity for players to showcase they abilities and compete for positions. We have a lot competition for a lot of positions. That's a healthy situation. This will probably be one of the most competitive springs we've had."
Among the key players returning for the 2004 season are starting quarterback Paul Pinegar, who entering his junior season, already ranked in the school's top 10 for career passing yard with 4,462 and 31 touchdowns.
The running back position is expected to be strength in 2004. Leading rusher, Dwayne Wright, who had 1,038 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry, returns for his junior season. Short-yardage specialist Bryson Sumlin (509 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003), sophomore Robbie Dubois and junior Matt Rivera will join newcomers Wendell Mathis (UCLA transfer) and redshirt freshman Shannon Dorsey in a fierce battle for position on the depth chart. Two fullbacks, Roshon Vercher and Jamal Jones, also return.
The offensive line returns intact, with Freshman All-America center Kyle Young and second-team All-WAC selection Dartagnon Shack leading a talented group.
The defensive line was bolstered with the return of Brian Morris, who received a sixth season of NCAA eligibility. Morris, a second-team All-WAC selection in 2003, was among the nation's sack leaders with 11. Also returning are second-team All-WAC defensive lineman Garrett McIntrye, who was picked as the defensive MVP for the Silicon Valley Football Classic win over UCLA. Nose tackles Donyell Booker and Louis Leonard also return, along with end Claude Sanders, who had 44 tackles and five sacks in 2003. Fresno State Spring Schedule. . .March 5, 2004. . .2/2/2
In the secondary, first-team All-WAC safety James Sanders, Fresno State's leading tackler, returns to lead one of the deepest defensive teams in the WAC. The Bulldogs return eight experienced players who will be vying for starting positions in the secondary.
Several key Bulldogs will be sitting out spring drills rehabilitating injuries, including offense tackles Matt Stevenson and Adam Messick and linebacker David Adamo. Tackle Logan Mankins, who missed the 2003 season, will participate on a limited basis.
The Bulldogs will once again take the team out to the Valley, with a scrimmage planned at Central Valley Christian High School in Visalia on March 26. In all, Fresno State will hold two scrimmages prior to the Spring Game in Bulldog Stadium, scheduled for April 2 at 4:30 p.m.
2004 Fresno State Spring Football Schedule
Date Site Time March 8 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 9 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 11 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 12 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 15 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 16 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 18 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 19 Practice Facility 3-5 p.m.March 22 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 23 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 25 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 26 Central Valley Christian High School 6-8 p.m.March 30 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.April 1 Practice Facility 3:30-5:30 p.m.April 2 Spring Game at Bulldog Stadium 4:30 p.m.
