Bulldog ties to Super Bowl Sunday

FRESNO, Calif. – Despite not one of the 13 Bulldogs on an active NFL roster tied to Super Bowl Sunday's matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, Fresno State connects to each team having former Bulldogs on its respective staffs.

Richard Smith, the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator, Moses Cabrera, the New England Patriots' head strength and conditioning coach, and Cole Popovich, an offensive assistant for the Patriots, were all once Fresno State Bulldogs.

Smith is finishing his second year as the defensive coordinator for the Falcons.

Smith was a member of the Fresno State football team in 1977 and 1978. The 'Dogs posted a 9-2 season in '77 and won the Pacific Coast Athletic Association in Smith's first year with the program.

Cabrera is wrapping up his first season as the Patriots head strength and conditioning coach after five seasons as the Patriots assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Cabrera started his tenure at Fresno State as a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs in 2002-03 and would go on to serve on the staff as an assistant strength coach through the 2009 football season. He had a one year stint at Colorado before joining the Patriots organization.

Popovich is in his first full season with the Patriots as a coaching assistant in 2016-17 after joining the organization late last season.

Popovich was a four-year starter on the Bulldogs' offensive line (2005-08). He was the first true freshman of the Pat Hill era to earn a start on the offensive line in 2004, but had his season cut short to injury. As a redshirt freshman in 2005, Popovich was named a unanimous first-team freshman All-American. He started 25 games during his Fresno State career.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. PT on Sunday for Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas.

History: Bulldogs in the Super Bowl

50 (2016): Ben Jacobs, OB – Carolina Panthers
XLVIV (2015): Ryan Wendell, RG – New England Patriots
XLVII (2013): Lonyae Miller, RB* - Baltimore Ravens
XLVII (2013): Kenny Wiggins, OL* - San Francisco 49ers
XLVI (2012): David Carr, QB – New York Giants
XLVI (2012): Bear Pascoe, TE – New York Giants
XLVI (2012): Logan Mankins, G – New England Patriots
XLVI (2012): Ryan Wendell, C – New England Patriots
XLV (2011): Chastin West, WR* – Green Bay Packers
XLIII (2009): Bryan Robinson, DT – Arizona Cardinals
XLIII (2009): Stephen Spach, TE – Arizona Cardinals
XLII (2008): Derrick Ward, RB – New York Giants
XLII (2008): Logan Mankins, G – New England Patriots
XLII (2008): James Sanders, DB – New England Patriots
XLII (2008): Stephen Spach, TE – New England Patriots
XLI (2007): Bernard Berrian, WR – Chicago Bears
XLI (2007): Cameron Worrell, DB – Chicago Bears
XXXVII (2003): Michael Pittman, RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
XXXV (2001): Trent Dilfer, QB – Baltimore Ravens
XXXV (2001): Omar Stoutmire – New York Giants
XXXIV (2000): Lorenzo Neal, FB – Tennessee Titans
XXXIII (1999): Chris Bayne, DB – Atlanta Falcons
XXXI (1997): Ron Cox, LB – Green Bay Packers
XXVIII (1994): J.D. Williams, DB – Buffalo Bills
XXVII (1993): J.D. Williams, DB – Buffalo Bills
XXVI (1992): J.D. Williams, DB – Buffalo Bills
XXV (1991): Stephen Baker, WR – New York Giants
XXV (1991): J.D. Williams, DB – Buffalo Bills
XVIII (1984): Anthony Washington, DB – Washington Redskins

BOLD denotes Super Bowl Winner
* denotes was on practice squad

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Bulldog ties to Super Bowl Sunday

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