Fresno State Athletics
Wide Receivers, Tight Ends Look To Make Impact
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 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. |
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 nothing 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."
Receivers/Tight Ends
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/1Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/3Graduation affected the tight end position more than any other on the squad, with three quality seniors moving on. Among those were Stephen Spach and Duncan Reid, who signed NFL free agent contracts. That leaves a young and untested group to pick up the slack. The most experienced player is Devyn McDonald, but unfortunately he missed the spring with an injury. He had four receptions last season and is a solid blocker.
His injury allowed three newcomers to gain some valuable reps. All three have talent and tremendous size. Jesus Tapia (6-6, 260), Drew Lubinksy (6-6, 250) and Cameron Harris (6-3, 240) will all see playing time this season.
The receiving corps returns five players, each of whom are considered starters. Led by seniors Jermaine Jamison and Adam Jennings, this group could be the best from top to bottom in the WAC. Jennings is the fastest player on the team, clocking a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.
Juniors Paul Williams, Jaron Fairman and Joe Fernandez will all share time. Fernandez led the Bulldogs in receptions last season with 38. The quintet combined for 15 touchdowns and more than 1,300 receiving yards. Williams had an incredible spring, with many big catches, and could be a featured target for Pinegar this season.
"We are fortunate to have more than one or two receivers who can play," said Hill. "We have five very good receivers, each with their own strengths. It gives us a lot of flexibility in our packages and schemes. We need to get some of the young tight ends some more work, but all in all it's a good young group with excellent size."
