Fresno State Athletics
Popovich Selected a Freshman All-American
12/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 21, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - In what has become nearly an annual trend, a Fresno State football player earned freshman All-American honors in 2005.
Bulldog offensive guard Cole Popovich has been added to the list being selected to the first-team Freshman All-America team by The Sporting News, College Football News and ESPN.com.
Popovich was the first true freshman of the Pat Hill Era to start on the offensive line in 2004 but suffered an injury and had to redshirt after two games starting the first two games (Washington and Kansas State) in 2004.
In 2005, he started 11 of 12 games at left guard and was instrumental in Fresno State's offensive prowess all season, which produced a 1,000-yard rusher, a 3,000-yard passer and averaged just under 40 points per game. Fresno State ranks fifth in the NCAA in scoring.
"Cole has had a great year and deserves this recognition," said head coach Pat Hill. "Had he not been injured last season, he would have been a freshman All-American then, but when he got hurt it allowed Ryan Wendell to step up and earn his stripes. We are very happy for Cole."
Three other Bulldog linemen had been so honored, including NFL first-round pick Logan Mankins in 2001 and Kyle Young and Wendell in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Wendell was the WAC Freshman of the Year in 2004, just the second lineman in conference history to be honored.
Popovich and the Bulldogs are preparing for the 47th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tenn. Tickets for the game are available at the Bulldog Ticket Office, online at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling (559) 278-DOGS.
Fresno State Freshman All-Americans Under Pat Hill<.b>
1998: Charles Smith, Wide Receiver
1999: Derrick Ward, Running Back
2001: Logan Mankins, Offensive Tackle
2002: Paul Pinegar, Quarterback; James Sanders, Safety; Jermaine Jamison, Wide Receiver
2003: Kyle Young, Center
2004: Ryan Wendell, Offensive Guard
2005: Cole Popovich, Offensive Guard
