Spring football comes to a close

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Spring football comes to a close

4/29/2017 6:00:00 PM | Football

Highlights Photo Gallery Head Coach Jeff Tedford - Post-practice Interview (4.29.17)Offensive Coordinator Kalen DeBoer - Post-practice Interview (4.29.17)Defensive Coordinator Orlondo Steinauer - Post-practice Interview (4.29.17)Sophomore QB Chason Virgil - Post-practice Interview (4.29.17)

After 15 spring practices, the Bulldogs sit far ahead from where they started March 27

By: Matt Burkholder / Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – In front of approximately 2,500 fans on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium, the Fresno State football team held its final practice of the 2017 edition of spring football.

"A lot of progress in spring ball, I'm really pleased with it," said head coach Jeff Tedford. "We came out injury free, which is great. You always have your fingers crossed on the last day to stay healthy and we did that. I was really pleased today, actually. The offense got the better of it last [Saturday], and the defense rose to the occasion this week. It was really competitive and nice to see."

On this day, the defense made its presence known with some quarterback pressure and forcing two turnovers in Saturday's third scrimmage of spring ball. Between six sacks accumulated by Mike Bell, Patrick Belony, Justin Green, Nathan Madsen, Trent Soechting and Tainoa Foster – making things uneasy for the quarterback, not live – and Stephen Van Hook forcing a fumble that was recovered by Madsen and Andrew Wright snagging an interception, the Bulldog defense had a solid final practice.

"I am happy with where we're at, but not satisfied at all," said defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer. "We have a long ways to go, but we are so much closer than we were when we started [spring football]."

The offense on the other hand, posted four scores, all runs, albeit all four managed in situational red zone work. Three were runs from running backs Saevion Johnson, Bryson Oglesby and Treyvon Green. Jorge Reyna tossed a TD pass to Donte Coleman for the fourth red zone score.

Quarterback Chason Virgil was effective with the first unit, getting off to a fast start completing six of his first seven throws. He had strikes of 28 and 33 yards to Da'Mari Scott and moved the chains on a fourth down with a 27-yard pass to KeeSean Johnson.

"Our defense is a good defense," said Virgil. "I think I said last week they were going to bounce back. We knew they were going to come out and play hard, we need to match their energy, and at times we matched it and at times we didn't. It's a credit to our defense, but there were times we missed our own plays and didn't get in the end zone. Would we have liked to score more, yes, but it's tough going against a defense like that, it's not going to be easy."

At last Saturday's scrimmage, the offense did not turn the ball over, and Virgil registered five touchdown passes.

"The defense made some nice plays today," said offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. "You want some give-and-take on both sides of the ball. I thought there was a lot of plays that we made, we got out of our own territory, we did well with that, when you're deep in your own territory that's a big deal to get a first down, and we've done that consistently. It's a fine line when you're moving the ball and making those plays and getting a toe inbounds and making a catch on the sideline versus being an inch or two out of bounds, so it good for us and our guys to have a little adversity here and there so we can understand what our response is going to be."

What's Next
May 10 is the last day of spring instruction at Fresno State, and exams are May 15-18. Summer classes begin June 12.

Coaches will hit the road recruiting first thing Monday – the spring evaluation period started April 15 and runs through May 31.

"Number one is finish strong academically," Tedford noted about what's next for the players after Saturday's scrimmage. "Finals are coming up, that's the first priority, as it always is. They'll take a little break, and then from there the leadership needs to surface this summer and continue to work on the little things that we've worked on so far this spring."

After turning focus to finishing out school in the spring, a strength and conditioning program will start in June for the Bulldogs that participated in Saturday's scrimmage as well as the incoming high school recruits that enroll in summer school.

2017 season opens at home, September 2
The Red Wave can take advantage of season ticket deals that start as low as $99, which includes all six games set to be played on Saturdays this fall, highlighted by Boise State and BYU visiting Bulldog Stadium, and the homecoming game on Oct. 14 against New Mexico.

Student ticket packages are $60 for the all six games.

Fans can secure their seats by contacting the Fresno State ticket office by calling 559-278-3647 or by visiting GoBulldogs.com.

Bulldog Express
The Bulldog Express will be back on the road May 15-20. Stay tuned for when and where you can find Fresno State Athletics across the San Joaquin Valley and beyond.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics