Fresno State Athletics
Spring Football Kicks Off This Week
4/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 9, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - Springtime in the Valley brings wonderful sights, sounds and smells. For most residents, those include the beautiful blossoms blooming and newborn chicks chirping.
For the diehard Bulldog football fan, it can mean only one thing. Spring football is here.
The Bulldogs will strap on their helmets for this time Monday as Pat Hill and the coaching staff will begin preparation for the 2007 season. The Dogs will participate in 15 practice session between now and April 30. Monday's practice session will be held at the football practice facility adjacent to Bulldog Stadium.
"It's an exciting time," said Hill during Monday's media conference that kicked off the beginning of spring practice. "We have a lot of young players who I think are ready to take the stage. The spring is an important time for their development and starts to build team chemistry for the season. It's an important time to teach fundamentals for the players to compete for positions on the team."
Hill welcomes back 15 starters from the 2006 season, seven of which come from the offense. Among this are four starting offensive linemen who set a school record allowing just 12 quarterback sacks last season and opened holes for Dwayne Wright, one of the nation's leading rushers.
"I feel very good about the offensive line," said Hill. "We have some players coming back who played well for us last season and I'm anxious to see some good young players who are coming through the program. In Ryan Wendell and Cole Popovich we have two proven, veteran players who are as good as any linemen in the WAC. The good news is that we only have one senior on the offensive line. Bobby Lepori, Kenny Avon and Adam McDowell all played well last season under tough circumstances. Kenny and Adam were both defensive linemen early in the season.'
Hill is also excited about the team's linebacking corps, which could be the fastest and deepest in recent years. Losing team leader Dwayne Andrews is a big loss, but Hill is excited about the returning players.
"Not having Quaadir Brown and Marcus Riley last year really hurt us," Hill said. "They are back and healthy and ready for spring ball. They are great athletes, sub 4.7 40 (yard dash) guys, and can cover in space and re-route receivers. We have some young linebackers who you haven't seen who I think are going to be great players in Ben Jacobs and Nico Herron. Ahijah Lane is back. One of the most improved players on our team is Todd Chisom, who was a 100-meter sprinter in high school. He's battled injuries the last two years, but has worked hard in the weight room and gotten stronger. I'm anxious to see if he can take it to the field."
The Bulldogs have four practices this week, including Saturday's practice, the first with full pads. The spring session will include two scrimmages.
The 2007 Spring Scrimmage will be held April 28 at 2 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium. Admission is free and the public is invited. The Fresno State Quarterback Club will provide many wonderful events for the fans during the spring scrimmage, including the following activities:
- Games for the kids in front of the ticket office beginning at 1 p.m.
- Bulldog Shop Sale begins at 1 p.m. (in the Blue Lot in front of ticket office)
- Televised live via the Bulldog Sports Network (KFRE CW 59)
- Live on KMJ Radio
- Tickets available at the Bulldog ticket office
- BBQ provided afterward by the Quarterback Club
- Autographs of student-athletes available after the scrimmage
- Admission is Free
In a new wrinkle to the spring session, selected Valley media members have been tabbed as honorary coaches for the spring scrimmage. The media coaches will go through one day of spring ball with the team, from meetings and coaches film sessiones, through practice at the end of the day.
The media will coach the team, including calling all offensive and defensive plays, for the final series of the spring scrimmage.
Hill is excited about the 2007 season and returning to a bowl game for the eighth time in nine seasons, looking to put the 2006 season in the past.
"I'm very excited about the 2007 season," said Hill. "We have a lot of young players who are very talented and work extremely hard. They have a chip on their shoulder after last season, which is a good thing. We just want to put the 2006 season away and focus on 2007."
Join The State - Fresno State! Ticket information for the 2007 season is available by clicking the tickets icon at the top of this page.
