Fresno State Athletics
2006 Bulldog Football Preview: Offensive Line Analysis
7/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Current roster
There's an old saying that says it doesn't matter how you start, but rather how you finish. Pat Hill and the 2005 Bulldog football team heard that repeatedly after the season, so much so that the theme for the 2006 campaign is "Finish the Job." That theme will ring throughout the next six months, both on the field and in the Fresno State locker room.
"Because of the way the 2005 season ended, we will be better mentally and a more focused football team in 2006," said Hill. "We learned a lot about ourselves and overcoming adversity. This senior class has been through the battles of some big football games and this is their team and their season. There's a tremendous amount of seriousness to how they have prepared themselves for the season."
Hill welcomes his largest senior class, a group that has been instrumental in Fresno State's success over the last three years. With three straight bowl game appearances, including wins over UCLA and Virginia, these Bulldogs are battle-tested.
Headlining the senior class are several players who have earned All-WAC honors, and are looking to earn All-America honors after the season. This group will likely set a Fresno State record for numbers of NFL draft picks, as Hill predicts a minimum of six players will be selected in the 2007 draft.
The 2006 schedule is once again superb, with top-notch non-conference competition, and an excellent balance of WAC teams, the home schedule ranks among the best in Bulldog history. The season kicks off Sept. 1 with a nationally televised game against defending WAC champion Nevada at Bulldog Stadium. Eight days later, Fresno State will host Oregon, a team that finished the 2005 season with a 10-2 record and ranked No. 10 in the nation. One week after that, Fresno State makes its first road trip to Washington, where the Dogs won 35-16 in 2004. After that, the Bulldogs return home to host perennial Mountain West Conference powerhouse Colorado State. Needless to say, the front of the schedule is loading. The Bulldogs are also looking forward their first game against LSU on Oct. 21 at Baton Rouge. In all, at least five games will be shown on national television.
"As long as I'm here, we are going to play as tough a schedule as we can," said Hill, whose 10 wins over BCS Conference schools since the 2001 season are more than any other non-BCS coach. "This is a great home schedule and it's tough from top to bottom. We can really make a statement if we get off to a fast start and then it's up to us as we head down the stretch to finish the job."
Offensive Line
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/1The Fresno State offensive line has been superb for many years and the 2006 edition will be no different. With two players who have started more than 30 consecutive games, and three who have earned first-team freshman All-America honors, this is undoubtedly the most experienced and talented position on the squad.
Leading the way will be All-America candidate Kyle Young, who has earned All-WAC honors twice in his career, and has been on the Rimington Award Watch List each of the last three seasons. Young, starter of 39 consecutive games, is considered by many the nation's premier center, and at 6-5 and 330 pounds, he is the largest. He has named to the 2006 Outland Trophy watch list.
Senior right tackle Chris Denman has made 34 straight starts and been an important part of one of the nation's most productive offenses. Flanking Young are two talented guards, junior Ryan Wendell, the 2004 WAC Freshman of the Year, and sophomore Cole Popovich. Both players were consensus freshmen All-Americans each of the last two years.
The left tackle spot will decided in fall camp, where former defensive lineman Adam McDowell, sophomore Bobby Lepori and transfer James Paulk will battle to replace All-WAC performer Dartangon Shack. Others who are expected to see action on the front are senior center Robin Kezerian, guards Pierce Masse, Chris Piligian and Richard "Bear' Pacheco, and tackle John Guevara.
"Each year it seems like are get better and better on the offensive line," said Hill. "We are very good in the middle, with Kyle Young, Ryan Wendell and Cole Popovich. Not only are they strong and tough, they are great football players. They are smary, know the game and how to play. Chris Denman is so solid at right tackle. He doesn't get much credit, but everyone on our team knows the kind of player he is. He's a tough guy. We've got some good young players coming up, but with only two senior starters in this group, we should be pretty good for years to come."
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Join the State - Fresno State! Get tickets online 24/7 at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Ticket Office is located at the south entrance of the stadium off Bulldog Lane. Fresno State's 2006 home schedule- which kicks off Sept. 1 against Nevada- features opponents such as Oregon, Colorado State, Hawai'i, New Mexico State and Idaho.
