Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Tabbed Second In WAC Preseason Coaches Poll
7/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
FRESNO, Calif.- Four-time defending champion Boise State has been named the favorite in the 2006 Western Athletic Conference football coaches poll announced today at the league's football preview being held in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State was picked a close second while last year's other champion, Nevada, was picked third.
Last season, Boise State was 9-4 and tied Nevada for the conference title with a 7-1 mark in WAC games. The Broncos have played in a bowl game in six of the past seven seasons. Fresno State was 8-5 last year and made its seventh consecutive trip to a bowl game, the longest active streak of any team in the western United States.
"The championship belongs to Boise State until someone takes it away," said head coach Pat Hill. "We got them last year (Fresno State's 27-7 win over the Broncos) but we didn't win the WAC. We have to go up there this year and get the job done, no excuses. We are looking forward to Sept. 1 and the WAC opener with Nevada. That will be a great way to start the season."
The Dogs return 18 starters from last year's squad, including first-team All-WAC award winners Paul Williams and Kyle Young.
Boise State received 61 points from the nine WAC coaches while Fresno State was close behind with 59 points. Nevada finished third with 48 points. Hawai`i was selected fourth with 43 points followed by San Jose State (25). Idaho and Utah State tied for seventh with 18 points followed by New Mexico State with 13.
Fresno State was also picked second in the WAC media poll, which was released on Tuesday.
The following is the complete 2006 WAC football coaches' poll:
Rank Team (1st place votes) Points1. Boise State (5) 612. Fresno State (4) 593. Nevada 484. Hawai'i 435. Louisiana Tech 396. San Jose State 257. Idaho 18 Utah State 189. New Mexico State 13
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.
