Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Wrap First Day at WAC Media Preview
7/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - The first full day of the 2008 WAC Football Preview came to close Wednesday evening and Fresno State's head coach and players were among the most interviewed of the day. The Bulldogs concluded their media conferences and interviews and will return to Fresno Thursday.
WAC media members heard from Fresno State, Idaho and Nevada players and coaches on Wednesday. The media conferences for the remaining schools will continue Thursday.
Hill was again the highlight, as he and the Dogs were the preseason selection by the league's coaches to win the 2008 WAC title.
"It's great to be recognized but we have to go out on the field and get it done," he said. "We haven't done it. Boise State has been the class of our league and we've only beaten them once. We have to finish the year at Boise, so I feel the championship still runs through Boise."
Hill also continued to answer questions about the scheduling philosophy and playing such a rigorous non-conference schedule.
"It's the path we've chosen," he said. "We want to play for the same thing everyone else does in Division I college football and that's to win national championship and get to BCS game. There's no play off in college football. Our playoffs start September 1. We have to run the table and we know that. It's tough because teams always are gunning for Fresno State, but that's the way it is."
Hill also heaped praise on his two senior leaders who attended the WAC media preview.
"Tommy Brandstater has been through some wars," Hill said. "He's had some ups and downs. He was the fair haired boy and then some of our fans thought he was a bum. That's harsh to heap on a 20-year old young man but that's our media and our society. It's what have you done for me lately. Well, I'm here to tell you he's won 12 of his last 16 games and in college football that's dang good. He's resilient and hardened and worked hard this summer. He's a great leader for our team."
Pascoe was also praised for Hill because of his work ethic and leadership.
"Bear Pascoe is a man," said Hill. "He comes from great stock. With his back ground on the ranch and his work ethic, no one's going to outwork him. He leads by example and our players admire him for his toughness. We have great resilience and chemistry on this team and that's due to these two guys. Our players really like each other. It's a lot of fun to be the locker room."
Hill and the Bulldogs will open fall camp on August 5.
Brandstater Captains Winning Golf Team
Tom Brandstater used his athletic ability to lead his golf foursome to victory in the annual golf tournament at the 2008 WAC Football Media Preview. The tournament was held at the Stonebridge Course just minutes from the host hotel. Brandstater and his team shot a 4 under par to win the tournament. Fresno's TV station KSEE followed Brandstater and Bear Pascoe's foursome on the course Wednesday afternoon.
Other players who played in the WAC golf tournament included: Hawaii's Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, Idaho's Shiloh Keo and Adam Korby, and New Mexico State's Chase Holbrook and Davon House.
Also playing in the golf tournament was former Bulldog basketball star Scott Barnes, who was recently named the Director of Athletics at Utah State. Barnes met the two Bulldog football players and shared stories of his memories of being a Bulldog. Utah State, located in Logan, Utah, is the closest WAC school to Salt Lake City.
"I had a lot of fun today," said Pascoe. "I'm not much of a golfer but we had a good time. I made a couple pars which is good for me. It was great to meet all of the other guys the last two days and hang out with them. This is really the only time we ever get to talk with players from the other WAC teams, so that was a pretty neat deal."
"Join the State- Fresno State!" -The first Big Ten team will travel to the Valley as the `Dogs take on Wisconsin in the home opener on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2. Be sure to reserve your seat for the Wisconsin game by purchasing a season ticket, family plan or 3-game mini plan for just $99. To purchase tickets, by logging on to www.gobulldogs.com and visiting the tickets page, calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stopping by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
