Fresno State Athletics
Countdown to Kickoff: 29 Days
8/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - As the Fresno State football team opens fall camp this week, one thing is for sure, there is not a quarterback controversy on campus.
The Bulldogs have an experienced leader in three-year veteran Tom Brandstater.
He survived a trying 2006 season and used that experience to prepare him for his junior campaign, which he capped by terrific performances against Kansas State and Georgia Tech to finish the year. Brandstater was named the MVP of the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl after throwing for 285 yards, rushing for 40 yards and accounting for two touchdowns.
He was a model of consistency and leadership.
For the season, he threw for more than 2,600 yards and 15 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He completed 63 percent of his passes.
Brandstater will enter his senior season as one of the nation's most experienced, picked for the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List.
Head coach Pat Hill has a track record of producing star quarterbacks as each of his previous three starters (Billy Volek, David Carr and Paul Pinegar) were selected first-team All-WAC in their senior seasons. Carr won the Unitas Award and Pop Warner Awards and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. After his senior season, he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft.
Brandstater enter his final season with similar experiences that Carr endured early in his career.
"Tom had been through some tough times, especially in his sophomore season," said Hill. "That's hardened him for his senior season. He's a very tough guy and extremely talented. He can throw any pattern in our playbook and the way he played at the end of last season has made him a more confident quarterback. After watching the bowl game a few times, he managed that game extremely well and played even better than I thought when we watched it live. He's a special talent and his leadership skills are very, very good. After this season, I expect he will be highly mentioned in the same breath with the great quarterbacks we've had at Fresno State."
Brandstater will enter his senior season ranked No. 10 in Bulldog history in career passing yards.
Backing up Brandstater will be sophomore Ryan Colburn and redshirt freshman Matt Faulkner.
"Ryan Colburn has really made a move," said Hill. "He's worked hard and filled out. He looked like a left-handed David Carr physically. I like how both Ryan and Matt continue to develop and improve."
Bulldog Shop Offers a 15% Discount on No. 7 Jerseys:
Bulldog fans who mention this story can get a 15% discount on all No. 7 football jerseys at the Bulldog Shop. This special ends Wednesday, August 6, at the Bulldog Shop, located on the corner of Cedar and Barstow near the Fresno State campus.
Coming Monday: A comprehensive look at the 2008 schedule.
"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. In the month of August, get your official Wisconsin game day t-shirt at the Bulldog Shop for only $10 with any purchase. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
