Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Notebook
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 20, 2007
Fresno State vs. San Jose State
Bulldog Stadium
October 20, 2007
Shutout Saturday
Fresno State's shutout of the Spartans was the first over their arch rival since 1942, when the Dogs won 6-0 at home. It was Fresno State's second shutout in the last 11 games dating back to last season, seven of which were WAC games. Fresno State has held three of its eight opponents this season without a touchdown, beating Sacramento State 24-3 and Louisiana Tech 17-6.
Mr. Touchdown
Freshman Ryan Mathews 14 yard touchdown on the second play of the third quarter gave him eight for the season breaking the Bulldog freshman record of seven by Derrick Ward in 1999. Ward is currently the leading rusher for the N.Y. Giants of the NFL. Mathews added his ninth touchdown of the season later in the third quarter on a 58 yard run, which gave Fresno State a 27-0 lead. He finished the game with 144 yards, two touchdowns and averaged 9.0 yards per carry.
Clint Gets His Kicks
Fresno State's outstanding kicker Clint Stitser continues to have an excellent season, knocking in all three field goal attempts, two in the first half that gave the Dogs a 6-0 lead at intermission. Stitser has made 8 of his last 10 attempts and 9 of 14 on the season. Two of his five misses this season are from over 50 yards. It marked the second straight week he's made two of 40 or more yards in a game.
In the Clutts
Tyler Clutts got his sixth sack of the season and the 21st of his career, moving him into a tie for fifth place with former All-American Alan Harper (1998-01) on the Bulldog career sack list. In all five different Bulldogs had sacks today, include Jon Monga, Kenny Borg, Charles Tolbert and Ben Jacobs.
Lockdown Boy
Prior to the San Jose State game, sophomore cornerback Damion Owens had the words "lockdown boy" stenciled in his hair cut. It provide prophetic as he got Fresno State's first interception of the season on the game's first play, picking off Adam Tafralis. The Dogs were the only team in the country without an interception while the Spartans ranked third in the NCAA with 15. Owens returned the interception 17 yards.
Fake This
The Spartans attempted a fake punt against the Bulldogs, which was thwarted on a great defensive play by Marvin Haynes, Damon Jenkins and Chris Carter, who smelled the fake and tackled the personal protector for a 1 yard gain after he took the first snap. It was 3 yards shy of the first down.
Growing Leads
When Fresno State went ahead of the Spartans 20-0 early in the third quarter, it marked the third straight game Fresno State took at least a 20 point lead in the second half. The Dogs added another scored later in the quarter to extend their lead to 27-0 heading into the fourth quarter. The Dogs led Nevada 49-20 and then last week held a 31-7 at Idaho.
Noteworthy
The Dogs improved their lead in the series against the rival Spartans to 36-33-3 ... Fresno State has won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two schools ... Mike Bates, a walk-on linebacker, made his first career start. Bates made several big plays in the first quarter, including a tackle for a loss ... the Dogs held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the second straight week and the third time this season ... Fresno State held San Jose State scoreless in the first half, the first time they've done that to an opponent since Nov. 18, 2006 when they shutout Idaho 34-0 ... A.J. Jefferson entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in kickoff return average. His first return of the game, which started the second half, went for a career-high 61 yards. His previous high was the 56 yards ... the Dogs scored on their opening possession of the second half with a touchdown for the third straight game. Two of those drives were two plays or less. Fresno State scored on the second play of the half with a 14 yard Ryan Mathews touchdown run. Mathews scored on the first play of the second half against Nevada, a 67 yard run ... left guard Ryan Wendell started his 42nd consecutive game, most of any player on the team ... the Dogs stopped the Spartans twice on fourth down plays in the Bulldog Red Zone in the third quarter when they were trying to get back into the game ... the Dogs have won a homecoming game for three straight weeks, winning at Nevada's, at Idaho's and winning their own today ... Athletics Director Thomas Boeh announced senior defensive tackle Jason Shirley has been suspended from the football team for the remainder of the season affective today ending his college career at Fresno State.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - Fresno State football continues play at Bulldog Stadium on Friday, October 26 at 6 p.m. against 2006 Fiesta Bowl Champion Boise State. It's Turn Out the Lights on Boise State night with special black game day t-shirts that can be purchased at the Bulldog Shop or Fresno area Gottschalks locations. For tickets, go to the ticket page at www.gobulldogs.com, call 559-278-DOGS or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
