Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Eye Another Upset Against 13th-Ranked Kansas State
9/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's underdog status is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
The Bulldogs look to notch another upset win as they visit No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday.
James Sanders and Richard Marshall returned interceptions for touchdowns and Brian Morris took a fumble in for another score, leading the Bulldogs to a 35-16 win over Washington in the opener for both teams Sunday.
"We came in really confident," Bulldogs quarterback Paul Pinegar said.
Running back Dwayne Wright rushed for 109 yards as the Bulldogs broke open a 7-7 halftime tie and added Washington to a list of big-name conquests that includes wins over Colorado, Wisconsin and Oregon State three years ago and UCLA last season.
It was Fresno State's third straight victory over a Pac-10 school. This week, the Bulldogs (1-0) face Big 12 power Kansas State (1-0).
"Being in the (Western Athletic Conference), we need to schedule really tough games to get into a BCS-type bowl game," Sanders said. "I'm not saying we're going to go undefeated, but we'll give it everything we have to win."
Because his team doesn't belong to a major conference, head coach Pat Hill knows the Bulldogs have to be perfect to have a shot at a BCS bowl berth.
"If we win again, we keep playing. If we lose, then we start over again and we work on our next priority, which is winning a conference. And if we go through that, then the next priority is to go to a bowl game," Hill said Monday.
Fresno state must stop Wildcats tailback Darren Sproles on Saturday.
Sproles, who led the nation with 1,986 yards last season, needs two more TDs to tie Ell Roberson for Kansas State's career record of 40.
"He's a big-time back," Hill said. "They've got a physical offensive line, too. This will be a physical game. Ball security is going to be a key."
Sproles ran for 221 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' 27-13 victory over Western Kentucky last Saturday.
"I wanted the ball," said Sproles, who had 42 carries against the Division I-AA Hilltoppers. "It helped me get into a rhythm."
Sproles' performance was his fourth 200-yard effort in his last six games. He also extended his school record with his 20th 100-yard game.
"He wears on you, and he's incredible," Western Kentucky coach David Elson said. "There were times you thought he was down, but he ended up getting 4 or 5 more yards. He's a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, no doubt about that."
Sproles was one of the few Kansas State players to find a groove last Saturday. The Wildcats blew several first-half scoring opportunities because of fumbles and penalties and led by just seven points going into the fourth quarter.
"It's evident we have issues," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "We were painfully nonproductive in critical aspects of the game."
Dylan Meier, a sophomore making his first start at quarterback as Roberson's replacement, threw for 183 yards and ran for 60 yards and a score.
This is the first meeting between the schools.
