Fresno State Athletics
Paul Pinegar Q&A
8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - For a football player who has won 75% of his games, three consecutive bowl games and thrown for over 50 career touchdowns, one would think that Paul Pinegar should be considered the best quarterback in school history. But for a program like Fresno State, which has NFL first round draft picks David Carr and Trent Dilfer, plus Kevin Sweeney, Mark Barsotti and Billy Volek, such praise doesn't come easily.
Pinegar, who will enter his senior season this fall as a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, has accomplished much. With one season remaining, he likely will shatter many career school records held by those other Bulldog quarterback greats. But for the soft-spoken Pinegar, he prefers to let his record - and wins - speak for themselves.
No other quarterback in school history has led the Bulldogs to three consecutive bowl wins. In fact, only seven other quarterbacks in NCAA history have done that. Pinegar's wins over Georgia Tech, UCLA and nationally-ranked Virginia have given the Bulldogs a national perception for playing well in big games and becoming one of the rare 'giant killers' of college football. Pinegar has the second-best winning percentage for a starting quarterback in school history.
As he enters his senior season, Pinegar will lead the Bulldogs, ranked in the Top 25 by most preseason polls, into what could be the most historic season in school history. Fresno State has many veteran players returning from an offense that averaged over 40-points per game and had a six-game winning streak to conclude the 2004 season. One the horizon is a date with two-time defending national champion USC, Nov. 19, in the historic Los Angeles Coliseum.
Pinegar will also be dealing with some interesting family pressures this year. He and wife, Vanessa, are expecting their first child during the season.
Pinegar shares what it's like to be the starting quarterback on one the nation's premiere college football teams.
GoBulldogs.com: How is fall camp going?
Paul Pinegar: Really good. We had a lot guys work hard over the summer so we were better prepared, both mentally and physically, when we started camp. The guys are working really hard. It's hot and we're tired, but we are getting ready for a great season. We know what's at stake and we'll work as hard as possible to be ready.
GB: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
PP: The first expectation is to win the WAC championship. That has been our goal for four years we haven't been able to attain it. That's a big one. I would hope we could get to the USC game undefeated and that would be a good situation and a big-time match-up.
GB: What will be the biggest key for the Bulldogs to be successful in 2005?
PP: Staying consistent all year. We can't overlook any opponent. In the past, we've played well against the BCS conference teams but then get into the WAC and have some bad games. We can't overlook anybody and need to prepare for every game and be consistent.
GB: There has been a lot of talk about your pectoral muscle, what that's the real story behind that and are you completely healthy?
PP: I hurt it going into my sophomore year. It was just a matter of over use. I kept trying to push myself because we had big games against Tennessee and Oklahoma and I wanted to be ready to play at the beginning of the season. It made it worse and I had to take some time off to let it heal. My arm strength has finally come back and I'm able to throw the ball with the accuracy I need and I have much more arm strength than I ever did.
GB: You have played in a lot of big games, how will that prepare you for playing USC, the defending national champions?
PP: I can't tell right now how big that game will be. We could lose or they could lose by then, but if we are both undefeated it be the biggest game I'd ever played in. Playing in big games help. You better understand the emotion and how to handle all of the things that go on around the game. It makes you sharper to be able to play at your best and execute your assignments. You want to strive to be as good as you can be when you play a good team like USC. Right now, our focus is on getting better as a team and getting ready for Weber State on Sept. 10. We have a lot of big games before we play USC.
GB: One of your breakout games was at Oregon in your freshman year. The Bulldogs lost a close and controversial game in Eugene. Is there a revenge factor for you this year?
PP: I think so. We hope to beat them this time. Going back to Autzen Stadium with their great fans and nice facilities will be great but we are going in there to win the game. The last time we had the game won and kind of let it get away. They have been one of the best Pac-10 teams over the last couple of years. They had a down year last year, but they're a premier program. There's no doubt we want to win that game and prove that we can beat them. We have a tough schedule. There's not going to be anyone that's a push over.
GB: What would a perfect game be like for you?
PP: Going into the game at USC undefeated and winning. To be able to go in there and leave no doubt. Something close to the Virginia game, I guess. I played well and we came back and won. That's what makes football so much fun, to be able to play in a game like that.
GB: You have a chance to break a lot of school records here. Is that important for you?
PP: Not so much. I'm more or less interested in winning. Winning and have a good record for wins would be good. As a senior, I think people will only remember you for what you did in your last year. If we win the WAC and do something big in the postseason, that would be great.
GB: Is there pressure on a Fresno State quarterback because of all of the players who have been here before you?
PP: Not really. Any quarterback on a team has a lot of pressure. It's nice to be compared to some of the great players from here who have gone on to star in the NFL, but that doesn't add to the pressure. If I play well and people want to make comparisons to those guys who made it in the NFL, that's fine.
GB: Mel Kiper has you ranked as the No. 3 senior quarterback for next year's NFL Draft. What do you think about that?
PP: It's pretty cool, but I have to go out and prove myself. If I do that and win games, then the people can compare me to other quarterbacks and hopefully that can lead to a shot in the NFL.
GB: What's the most important attribute one needs to be a good college quarterback?
PP: We call it "functional intelligence". That means, being able to take what we learn in the classroom to execute it on the field. Remembering pass routes, your footwork, and executing it on the field. We want to take what we learn on the practice field to the field and take the gameplan to the game."
GB: What quarterback would you compare yourself to?
PP: I've near really thought about that. I guess, maybe Tom Brady, because he was overlooked, but all he does is win games.
GB: You did you admire growing up?
PP: I looked up to my brothers a lot. They played sports and gave me the competitive edge. To compete with them playing, whether it was playing football or baseball. I played with a lot of older kids because they allowed me to play with them. I also admire my Dad a lot.
GB: If you weren't playing football at Fresno State, what would you be doing right now?
PP: A normal working class citizen. I would have attended college and graduated already because it's taken me six year to get through school because of football. I'd have a job in my field of study and be working somewhere with my major (Health Sciences).
GB: Does being a celebrity in this community come with a price?
PP: Yeah, I'm always under the microscope. I got some pretty bad criticism when we last those three games last year. It comes with the job of being the quarterback of the football team. It does keep you humble in victory and defeat.
GB: What's the biggest misperception about Paul Pinegar as a player?
PP: My speed. I'm faster than people think.
GB: What the biggest misperception about Paul Pinegar the person?
PP: Because I'm the quarterback people think I'm a snob or a tough going guy who criticizes a lot. Really, I'm a good guy off the field. I have lots of great friends not too many enemies.
GB: What do you do to get away from football?
PP: I spend time with my wife and my friends and family. We just hang out. I go home to visit my family. I love all kinds of sports, so we are always watching some games or sporting events.
GB: What's Pat Hill like behind the scenes?
PP: He's a hard working guy. He does a lot to keep the program going. He's fundraising, speaking and promoting the team. He's got a great vision for the program.
GB: What would you like fans to remember about you 10 years from now?
PP: That I won games. I hope we beat USC and have a great senior year. That would be great but it is yet to be seen.
Fans can watch Pinegar and the Bulldogs during the Fan Appreciation Scrimmage August 20 at Bulldog Stadium. Admission and parking are free to the public and tailgating is encouraged in the Red, White or Blue parking lots prior to the scrimmage.
Season tickets for the 2005 Bulldog Football Season, including various Family Value Plans and student tickets, are available at the Bulldog Ticket Office, by calling (559) 278-DOGS or on-line at gobulldogs.com.
