Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Nearing End of Spring Football
3/20/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 20, 2012
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team held its 12th practice of the spring on Tuesday in Bulldog Stadium as the team inches closer to Sunday's spring game that closes out the last on-the-field action for the `Dogs until fall camp in August.
As the Bulldogs continue putting together their new spread offense and 3-4 defense, head coach Tim DeRuyter has been pleased with how the team is responding to the new philosophies and schemes.
"We're making really good progress, still got a long way to go, but I like the progress we've made so far," DeRuyter said. "Our guys have had a great attitude on learning the new systems. We're still a little bit rough around the edges as far as trying to get the right guys in the right spots, but I'm really excited about what the future holds because our guys have bought in."
The defense has had the upper-hand on the offense for the majority of the spring and that was the case in the scrimmage last Saturday. The offense was challenged to respond and did so Tuesday in the last half of practice when the team was working on being backed up to their own end zone and in a two-minute drill.
"I was happy to see our offense respond better," DeRuyter said. "We're still not where we need to be from a timing and tempo standpoint, but we got some guys that can make plays and it was good to see them come out here in our two-minute period and execute."
The Bulldogs continue to hone in on the tempo and pace that is so vital in this offense.
"For us right now it's just getting some stuff in and then when we go to fall camp we can show them film to learn off of," offensive coordinator Dave Schramm said. "We put in a new install, it's day 12, and now we got to rep it. To me, it's about the tempo and we're still not there yet. That's the thing that we got to come out of spring ball understanding that we can stress people with our tempo."
Defensively, the return of safety Phillip Thomas has been evident in all practices with his physicality and knack to make a big play. On Tuesday he negated a first down completion for the offense with a big hit that forced a fumble.
"He's been a pleasant surprise and has picked up the scheme really well," DeRuyter said of Thomas, who has recovered from his broken leg. "He's a dynamic football player - very explosive. He understands football so he puts himself in great positions to make plays. To see him out here in pads running around doing it has been fun because he can be a really productive player for us."
Defensive coordinator Nick Toth has been excited to see the progress his unit has made throughout the spring.
"We're consistent and our guys are playing hard and fast," Toth said. "Our scheme is always going to give us a chance. It's so multiple and you don't ever know where [the pressure] is coming from."
As the final practices near, DeRuyter looks for his team to finish out the spring with a good understanding of the packages so they can hit the ground running next fall.
"We want to have both sides of the ball where they are confident in what they are doing so they are playing fast," DeRuyter said. "We're still not quite there offensively, guys are still second-guessing themselves a little bit, but if we can get them to where they go into the offseason on their own and run fast, that's where we want to be."
The spring game is being held on this Sunday, March 25, at noon in Bulldog Stadium and admission is free.
"We Are Your Team" - The flagship radio station of Fresno State Football is KMJ 580 AM and the Spanish Flagship is KGST-AM "ESPN Deportes".
