Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State - Hawai'i Game Notes
10/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - Today's attendance was 39,112, which kept the Bulldog average for the year over 40,000 fans. Through four games, Fresno State has averaged 40,671 fans per game.
In the passing attack, Fresno State had two pass plays of 75 yards, the first time in school history that the Bulldogs have had two pass plays of 75 yards or more in the same game.
Two players made their first start of their careers, with cornerback Elgin Simmons coming in on defense, and Isaac Kinter making the start at fullback.
The 75-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter was the longest play from scrimmage for the Bulldogs on the season.
Tight end Bear Pascoe's first reception of the game was the longest of his career, and with that one catch eclipsed his career high in receiving yards in one game at 75. It was the first touchdown catch for Pascoe in his career.
The opening touchdown was also the longest pass of Tom Brandstater's career. His previous long was a 60-yard pass to Chastin West against Utah State.
Freshman running back Anthony Harding set a career best in rushing, picking up 12 yards on 3 carries. That nearly doubled his career total to that point, as he had 13 yards rushing coming into the game.
In the second quarter Fresno State gave up their first sack in their last 59 pass attempts, dating back to the Washington game on September 16.
Sean Norton made his first appearance on the field for the Bulldogs, entering the game in the second quarter. In the first drive, he completed his first two passes, the first completions of his career, as well as adding a three-yard run, the first rush of his career.
Norton's 20-yard touchdown pass to Bear Pascoe was the first touchdown of the sophomore quarterback's career.
Pascoe's two-touchdown performance was the first for a Fresno State receiver this season. The last time a Bulldog receiver had two touchdowns was in 2005, when Joe Fernandez caught two passes against Louisiana Tech.
Marlon Moore caught his first two passes of his career in the first half, picking up 25-yards including a key first-down catch in the Bulldogs' final drive of the first half.
Moore also became the first 100-yard receiver on the year for the Bulldogs, reaching the mark on his third catch, a 75-yard touchdown reception from Sean Norton. That was Marlon Moore's first touchdown catch.
Hawai'i scored 21 points off of turnovers, the most by a Fresno State opponent on the year. The Bulldog defense had previously allowed only seven points off of turnovers on the season, with those seven coming against Nevada in the opener.
The Bulldogs tied their longest play of the year in the second half, completing another 75-yard touchdown pass to start the period, this time from Norton to Marlon Moore.
Jason Shirley blocked two PATs in the game, giving him three blocked kicks on the year. Fresno State has now blocked four kicks over the season, increasing the team's blocked kick totals to 68 blocks in the Pat Hill era. Under Hill, the Bulldogs have blocked 28 PATs or field goals.
Freshman Lonyae Miller led the Bulldogs in rushing with 113 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. That was the first time that starting running back Dwayne Wright did not lead the team in rushing on the year.
Miller's touchdown in the fourth quarter was the first touchdown of his career, and the first rushing touchdown for the Bulldogs in the game.
Fresno State has now had a 100-yard rusher in five of their six games this season, with Wright recording four such performances and Lonyae Miller picking up 113 yards in today's game.
Isaac Kinter's touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the first touchdown of his career.
Sean Norton threw three touchdown passes in his first game with the Bulldogs. That was the first time that a Fresno State QB has thrown for three touchdowns this season. The last player to do so was Paul Pinegar, who had three touchdowns against Louisiana Tech in 2005.
Fresno State Coach Pat Hill
"Give a lot of credit to Hawai'i. We ran into a buzz saw tonight. Their quarterback was really on. I don't remember playing against a quarterback as hot as that. We haven't had a game like that in a while. We were in it early at 7-7 but then put the ball on the ground twice giving them a short field and before you know it it's 21-7. I knew coming in that we could not get into a scoring match with them. We are not built to score like that. Once the game headed that direction it was very difficult for us to play catch-up."
"I was very pleased with Sean's (Norton) performance tonight. That's not taking anything away from Tom (Brandstater). He threw a touchdown pass and completed four for five passes but we fumbled the ball deep on our territory. Neither were Tom's fault. I thought we needed a spark and we put Sean in and I thought be provided that."
"We were outmatched tonight. Hawai'i was the better team. I give them a lot of credit. They are an outstanding football team."
"We need to get back to work on Fresno State. We can't control our destiny for very much right now, but we can focus on getting better as a football team. We have six games left to do that and build a stronger bridge to the future."
Hawai'i Coach June Jones
"Obviously, I have to start out by saying that I think our quarterback is a great player and that as a team we came out ready to play. We were a better team today."
"Everything that we do offensively starts with Colt [Brennan] and the offensive line. When they play well, the entire team responds and the result is the entire team playing well."
"We're a better football team right now, and the team competed hard. Getting those turnovers really changed the complexion of the game and we worked extremely hard to come away with the win."
Hawai'i Defensive Back Leonard Peters
"After giving up that first touchdown, we really wanted to get momentum back on our side. Getting those fumbles was huge, and after causing them we were able to get on top and stay there."
"I was on the team two years ago and got embarrassed, giving up 70 points. It was nice to come back in and return the favor somewhat."
