Fresno State Athletics
Linebackers Feature New Starters Heading Into 2004 Campaign
7/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 26, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Talented. Tough. Tested.
Those three words best describe the 2004 Fresno State football team. After an impressive run closing out the 2003 campaign, which included a 17-9 win over UCLA in the Silicon Valley Football Classic and six wins in the last seven games, 52 battle-tested returnees have their sights set on a WAC championship.
The Bulldogs return 17 starters - only four of whom are seniors - and will try to continue their impressive run of five consecutive bowl appearances. Those returning players have been through a number of tough battles the last two seasons at outposts such as Norman, Knoxville, Eugene, Boise, Honolulu and Corvallis. There isn't much they haven't faced.
Entering the 2004 season, the schedule is tough once again, with road games at Washington and Kansas State in the first two weeks. Although the team is playing an 11-game schedule for the first time since 2000, the ledger will be treacherous.
 | This feature on Fresno State's linebackers is the fourth of a weekly position breakdown. Each Monday, a new position will be featured, leading up until the start of the 2004 football season. June 25: Quarterbacks |
The Bulldogs play at two-time defending WAC champion Boise State, which has had great success on its blue turf. Three other WAC road trips - Louisiana Tech, Rice and San Jose State - will be tough. Winning on the road in the WAC is always imperative to win the title and advance to a bowl game.
"The schedule is tough but we are used to that," said head coach Pat Hill, who has guided the Bulldogs against 12 BCS schools since 2001. "Playing at Washington and Kansas State will be great challenges for us and a great opportunity for exposure. We have played in hostile environments and our players won't be intimidated. The WAC schedule is always a challenge because of the travel. Playing at Boise State is always tough. I'm glad we will be playing two of the newest coaches in the WAC, Mike Price and Chris Ault, at Bulldog Stadium. The Fresno State and Hawaii games are always exciting and it will good to have them in Bulldog Stadium as well."
Linebackers
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/2Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/3
While nearly every position on this year's team has a number of starters and letterwinners returning, the exception is at linebacker, where the departure of MLB Marc Dailey, a three-year starter, and first-team All-WAC OLB Bryce McGill have opened holes less experienced players must fill.
Fortunately for Fresno State, the cupboard is not completely barren. Manuel Sanchez, who opened eyes during preseason practice last year and ended up having a very successful 2003, will fill the big shoes of McGill at outside linebacker. The sophomore had 38 tackles last year and picked off a team-high four passes.
Replacing Dailey at middle linebacker is sophomore Dwayne Andrews, who should fit nicely into the position. While Dailey entered last year as the starter, he was injured in the opener at Tennessee and missed the next four games. That opened to door for Andrews, who earned the confidence of his teammates and the coaching staff with his performance (37 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 FF).
While Sanchez and Andrews have only one year of experience under their belts, the other outside backer position will be filled by Todd Garcia, a senior who is long in the tooth compared to his counterparts. He has started 13 games the past two seasons while logging playing time in each. Garcia will help provide leadership to a group that will be noticeable faster than what Fresno State has had in its previous linebackers.
"We might have lost a couple of good players at linebacker, but I am very excited about the guys we've got to fill their spots," Hill said. "They add a dimension of speed that we haven't had at linebacker in the past. And they played a lot last year, and when they did, they made plays. Even with losing Bryce McGill and Marc Dailey, I don't think we'll skip a beat."
Serving as reserves at outside linebacker will be sophomore Alan Goodwin, who was solid in his limited playing time in 2003, and redshirt freshmen Tyler Clutts, Aaron Oliver and Marcus Riley. At MLB, Andrews' backups will be junior Kyle Goodman and redshirt freshman Christian Carlson.
Fresno State's most experienced linebacker, senior David Adamo, is currently battling a back injury, and his status for the beginning of the season is up in the air. Adamo missed spring practice due to the injury.
Tickets
Obtaining tickets to Fresno State football games has never been easier. Simply click on "TICKETS" near the top of this page to be re-directed to gobulldogs.com's online ticket office. Season tickets are currently available, and later this summer so will single-game tickets.Tickets are also available by stopping by the Bulldog Ticket Office, located at the south end of Bulldog Stadium, or by calling (559) 278-DOGS.
