Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Will Focus Offense Around Running Backs
7/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 25, 2005
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FRESNO, Calif.- Never in Fresno State history has so much been said or written about a team that has yet to play a game. The reason for the hype heading into the 2005 season lies among the 19 returning starters from a team that won its last five games in overwhelming style and then claimed a thrilling bowl victory in overtime.
The Bulldogs closed out the 2004 season by averaging over 52 points over the final six games of the season and capped that run with a win over No. 18 Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl.
Back from the that offense are nine starters, including a record-setting quarterback, four of five starters on the line and a trio of running backs who have amassed more than 4,000 yards and 40 career touchdowns.
As if that wasn't enough, the Bulldog defense returns eight starters from a unit that led the WAC in nearly every statistical category, including total defense and scoring defense. Despite playing in the high-octane, pass-happy WAC, the Bulldogs were the only team in the league to allow less than 20 points per game and ranked fourth nationally in pass efficiency defense. The Bulldogs gave up just nine touchdown passes the entire season.
 | The following feature continues a weekly position breakdown of the Fresno State football team. Each Friday, a new position will be highlighted, leading up until the start of the 2005 football season. July 15: Quarterbacks |
All of this excitement and optimism is compounded with a challenging schedule that includes games against three teams that won 2004 conference championships, including the two-time defending national champion USC Trojans, which are expected to begin the 2005 campaign ranked No. 1.
"There's noting wrong with having high expectations," said head coach Pat Hill. "We like the fact that people think we are going to be good. It has taken some time for us to get the level where people think we are going to be good year in and year out. That's a sign that the program is reaching a level that we want. We have some very good players coming back and some really good leaders back as well. I feel really good about this team. They showed a lot of maturity and stability during spring drills and I expect that to continue when we report to camp prior to the season."
Running Backs
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/0Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/1This group combines punishing power and world-class speed. Some college football publications are ranking the Bulldog running back corps among the best in the country, and with good reason. The top three backs have rushed for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in their careers.
Last season against Hawaii, Fresno State rolled up a school record 503 rushing yards in a 70-14 blowout win. Two of the backs - Bryson Sumlin and Dwayne Wright - have earned All-WAC honors and have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season. A third back, Wendell Mathis, was five yards shy of 1,000 last season, though he did lead the WAC with a 6.9 per carry average. Sumlin, a senior, is the top returning rusher in the WAC, coming off a season in which he ran for 1,104 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned second-team All-WAC honors and is considered the premier ground gainer in the conference heading into the 2005 season. And few are better at getting the ball into the end zone than Sumlin, who has racked up 24 TD's over the last two seasons.
Mathis, also a senior, ran for 12 touchdowns and 995 yards last season, his first as a Bulldog. The UCLA transfer brings explosive speed and power to the position, which he showcased in a 191-yard performance against Louisiana Tech.
Dwayne Wright, the team's top rusher in 2003, was the Bulldog starter for the first two games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Wright averaged 5.5 yards per carry and ran for 1,038 yards in 2003. He is expected to return to full strength in the fall, giving the Bulldogs a triple threat the team has never seen.
Added into the mix is sophomore Clifton Smith, who excited many during spring drills after moving over from cornerback. The lightning-quick Smith touched the ball nine times in the 2004 season and averaged 30.6 yards every time. He did it on a combination of kick returns, punt returns or his one interception return. Steady senior Matt Rivera is a valuable player for the Bulldogs as a blocker and receiver. He had two touchdowns in Fresno State's win over No. 13 Kansas State last year.
Opening holes for these talented runners will be fullback Roshon Vercher, who is quickly becoming one of the nation's premier true fullbacks. A punishing lead blocker, he has paved the way for a Bulldog to rush for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons.
"I think we have one of the best groups of running backs in Fresno State history and I think one of the best in the nation," said Hill. "As a group, we have a lot of speed and power and I think we have some toughness. Running the football will be important for our success and we have some guys who can really carry the load. Clifton Smith will be a new weapon for us and brings a lot of explosiveness to the position."
