Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Hold Open Scrimmage Saturday
4/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 29, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Pat Hill would love to have a full-fledged spring game, but with some injuries and lack of healthy bodies, he's not able to divide the team into two full squads. That said, Hill is using Saturday's scheduled event as an intense scrimmage with a lot riding for the players.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Bulldog Yard Sale in the Lexus Blue Lot south of the stadium. The sale of Bulldog merchandise, apparel and equipment will take place until the scrimmage begins. All items in the sale will range in cost from $5 to $25.
The team will be on Jim Sweeney Field at 1 p.m. and the scrimmage will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m. The scrimmage is open to the public and admission is free. It will be the last chance to see the Dogs in action until fall training camp.
Hill will take the team through about 70 plays during the scrimmage in the following situations:
- Two-minute drill (actually the offense will have 90 seconds to drive the length of the field to kick a field goal, while the defense attempts to prevent them from scoring)
- Over the Field (the offensive units will get eight series to move the ball and each series will continue until they score, turn the ball over or are forced to punt by the defense. Each time one of those things happens, new offensive and defensive units will take the field.)
- Compete Zone (also known as Red Zone, the offense will get the ball at the 25-yard line and attempt to score while the defense will attempt to prevent the score, similar to the college football overtime rule. There will be six series of this situation.)
Fresno State's quarterbacks Ryan Colburn and Derek Carr are expected to share the majority of the offensive plays.
"We have some spots on this team that are up for grabs and this scrimmage is going to be important for the players to show what they can do," said Hill. "This is their last chance to impress the coaches and put something on film that will help their chances to earn playing time in the fall."
KMJ Radio will be broadcasting live from the scrimmage beginning at 1 p.m. with Paul Loeffler and Jordan Christensen in the booth and Alexan Balekian and Steve Gonzalez on the sideline with field reports.
"We've had a very, very productive spring," said Hill. "We were able to get some live work in short bursts in the middle of the week and the scrimmages have been crisp and intense. We are hoping for the same thing on Saturday."
In other news regarding Bulldog football, the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper sent two reporters and a photographer to Fresno for a large feature on former Bulldog running back Ryan Mathews, the No. 12 overall pick of the San Diego Chargers. The reporters talked with players and coaches after Wednesday's practice and will continue talking with staffers and community members on Thursday. The article is expected to run in Monday's paper.
"We Are Your Team" - The 2010 Fresno State football season is fast approaching and season tickets are available. Click on the tickets icon at the top of this page for more information or to purchase.
