Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Picked Third in WAC Polls
7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 29, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog football team reports to fall camp next Wednesday and before the players take part in a single two-a-day session, the WAC coaches and media members have made their predictions for the 2009 season.
The Fresno State Bulldogs were picked to finished third in both polls with defending league champion Boise State taking the No. 1 spot in both polls. The Bulldogs and Broncos will meet in the third week of the college football season for a Friday night ESPN2 clash at Bulldogs Stadium. That game has been designated as a "White Out" game.
With 17 starters returning, including eight on offense, the Bulldogs trailed the Broncos and Nevada in the media poll and tied with Louisiana Tech for third in the coaches' poll.
Leading the way for the Dogs on offense will be the running back trio of Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding and three stellar senior receivers Seyi Ajirotutu, Chastin West and Marlon Moore.
On defense, the Dogs return their top three tacklers in linebacker Ben Jacobs, end Chris Carter and safety Moses Harris.
Fresno States' special teams units will be led by kicker Kevin Goessling, punter Robert Malone, NCAA leading kick return man A.J. Jefferson, plus three other Dogs who scored touchdowns on returns last season (West, Moore and Rashad Evans).
"Based on the talent we have returning, there's no question we can contend for the WAC title," said Hill. "Being picked third is a sign that coaches and media think we are a team that will be in the mix. Boise State has been the team to beat in the WAC and we are looking forward to getting them in Bulldog Stadium in game three. Nevada has talent and I have a lot of respect for Chris Ault and Colin Kaepernick as a quarterback."
Hawaii was fifth in both polls, with San Jose State and Utah State holding the sixth and seventh spots, respectively.
Both polls were nearly identical in order, with the exception of the teams ranked in eighth and ninth place. The WAC media had Idaho in eighth place, while the coaches had New Mexico State ranked eighth.
The media also voted on preseason players of the year. Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick was voted the Offensive Player of the Year, while Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.
Kaepernick, a junior from Turlock, Calif. (Pittman HS), became the fifth quarterback in NCAA FBS history to throw for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in the same season. Kaepernick threw for 2,849 yards and 22 touchdowns last year and added 1,130 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. He was named the 2008 WAC Offensive Player of the Year following his 2007 season where he was voted the WAC Freshman of the Year.
Wilson, a senior from Piscataway, N.J. (Piscataway HS), was a first-team all-WAC performer last year after leading the Broncos with five interceptions. He had a total of 15 passes defended and 35 tackles in 2008. As a punt returner, Wilson also was named second-team all-WAC after averaging 14.2 yards per return and scoring three touchdowns.
The Dogs are represented by head coach Pat Hill, safety Moses Harris and receiver Marlon Moore during the WAC Media Preview. All three will spend Wednesday meeting with nearly 70 media members at the Salt Lake City Airport Hilton Hotel.
The following is the complete 2009 WAC football media poll with first-place votes in parentheses:
Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Boise State (55) 519
2. Nevada (3) 444
3. Fresno State 365
4. Louisiana Tech 360
5. Hawai`i 275
6. San Jose State 263
7. Utah State 170
8. Idaho 110
9. New Mexico State 104
The following is the complete 2009 WAC football coaches' poll (coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams):
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Boise State (8) 64
2. Nevada (1) 55
3. Fresno State 45
Louisiana Tech 45
5. Hawai`i 36
6. San Jose State 34
7. Utah State 21
8. New Mexico State 13
9. Idaho 11
There are a variety of excellent ticketing plans for the 2009 season, including:
- Premium Seating (contact the Bulldog Foundation Office: (559) 244-5600 for details)
- Public Season Tickets for as low as $160
- Family Plans for $320 (includes four season tickets)
- $89 Mini-plan (Boise State game and any two other home games)
- $99 New Alumni Season Ticket Plan (available for Fresno State graduates from 2005-2009)
We are Your Team! For season tickets, mini-plans or premium seating for the exciting 2009 Fresno State football season, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page.
