2004 Statistics

Quarterback
Paul Pinegar won't be flying under the radar any longer after he finished 32nd-ranked for all I-A QBs for efficiency. Although he and the Bulldogs don't fling the ball around like the school once did (with David Carr), Pinegar has earned the starting nod for three years with his knowledge and execution. He fine-tuned his touch from 2003 to 2004, learning when to fire and when to finesse, and completed almost 60% of his passes. But Pinegar now must fine-tune his decision-making (15 INTs). Pinegar has some quick feet, but only enough to get him free when needed (18 sacks). The bottom line on the kid is that he's 24-8 as a starter, including 6-3 against schools from BCS-member conferences, and 3-0 in bowl game (UCLA, Georgia Tech and Virginia). Local-product (Corvis HS) RS Junior backup Jordan Christensen is another prototypical drop-back guy with good speed to go with his strong, accurate arm, and what he lacks in experience would be made up within the fact that this offense need not change when he is inserted. If inserted, the offense would miss a beat, but not for long.

Receiver
Ugh. Fresno State's top two receivers from 2004 are returning, but that isn't saying much. Joe Fernandez led the team with the lowest total by a team leader in 14 years. Not one player in this group had a 100-yard receiving game last year. The problem is this: while head coach Pat Hill may have liked the idea of the small, smurf-like receivers (save Jamison) who can catch a short pass and turn it into a big gain, that didn't happen. Fernandez doesn't produce the yards-after-catch and Jamison needs to shake a continued case of the drops. That's why we'll see some of the freshmen that Hill brought in. "I wouldn't say we're targeting receivers," he said, "but I'm real happy with the skill guys we're getting. No. 1, they can run. And they have size." To be sure, there's something to be said for the confidence and chemistry that Paul Pinegar has built with Fernandez, Jamison and Adam Jennings. There's also something to be said for having a game-breaker on the field.

Running Back
This is the one of the deepest units in the nation, and that's not hyperbole. Bryson Sumlin and UCLA transfer Wendell Mathis were five measly yards from giving Fresno State two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season for the first time in school history. Now Dwayne Wright (1,000-yard back in 2003) returns (season-ending knee surgery) after playing in only four games. This is clearly a problem coaches love to have. It creates competition, but, more importantly, since the Bulldogs are a run-oriented team (63% running plays in 2004), they throw a variety of different looks that send defenses scurrying. Sumlin and Wright are bruisers with decent hands, while Mathis jukes his way with 10.47-sec 100 meter speed. In addition, fullback Matt Rivera is a viable ball-carrier (6.9 yards per carry) often found in the flat, while starter Roshon Vercher is huge in size and at picking up the blitz.

Tight End
Smallish Devyn McDonald is the only returner with experience here. This position is invaluable to Fresno State's short yardage offense. The TEs are utilized not only in run-blocking support, but as receivers in quick outs. Fresno State would be better served here by letting McDonald try to bolster the wide receiver corps and using Jesus Tapia as the starting tight end. Tapia is far more physical - he's a former high school offensive lineman - and at 6-6 he's also a more inviting target for each game's two or three throws this way. The Bulldogs should also take a long look at Bear Pascoe, a 6-foot-5, 252-pounder who played QB in high school but will make the move to TE.

Offensive Line
The departure of all-American (LT) Logan Mankins has created a domino effect here. Here's what will happen for 2005: Though Hill probably prefers for Dartangon Shack to remain at right guard, Shack is the best of the returning linemen and will take over the LT spot vacated by Mankins. Ryan Wendell, a frosh all-American at left guard, goes to right guard. Sophomore Cole Popovich, who started at LG last year before injuring his arm, will return there. NC.net all-American (Honorable Mention) Kyle Young stays at center. Chris Denman or Matt Stevenson (lingering shoulder problem) takes over the other tackle spot. Got all that? Good, because despite all the position changes, this is a strong, experienced unit that pulls well (moving pocket) with its mix of size and svelte. In the bowl win, they did not yield a single sack to Virginia, and the Bulldogs will give up less than the 18 they surrendered last season.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
You have to love what this team can do. They run from the I-formation; they can also run out of a three-back set; they can go power, between the tackles; or they can go wide, behind a fullback and a blocking tight end; they can swing the ball out to their running backs; or they can utilize the tight ends in short yardage; heck, they can even show you a variation of a west coast offense with quick, three-step drops and short passes. They only thing they can't do, seemingly, is effectively spreading the field by throwing the ball deep (the longest completion was 61 yards, with only two other catches over 50). Once foes saw this loophole, they adjusted for wins over the Bulldogs. But you have to figure Hill will remedy that situation. The Bulldogs improved from 350 yards a game on offense in 2003 to 404, a number that will continue to climb. Utilizing the running game to force defenses to load the box is important, and to then air it out regularly to keep safeties thinking deep just requires the tight execution already established. This "next level" will be needed if State is to improve its record.

Defensive Line
Once again, this is a unit that has issues. A year ago it was depth, and this year it will be experience. DT Garrett McIntyre will move back to fill one of the vacant DE spots, and his size/speed says this move works well. Jason Shirley and Louis Leonard will end up playing in the middle of the front four, two huge guys that penetrate. But that still leaves the Bulldogs without a playmaking DE on the other side. Junior Marlon Brisco and converted-LB Tyler Clutts have the rushing skills needed here, and both have shown such off in their limited exposure(s). QB-pressure won't be much better (than 2004's 27 sacks), putting more responsibility on the back seven. But with such a weak run-stopping effort (ranked 70th, allowing 164 yards per game) this unit had best learn to walk (plug) before it runs (QB-rush which, if undisciplined, often leads to over-pursuit), so to speak. Such adjustments would actually increase win totals.

Linebacker
Swift, strong, and merciless, the best linebacking corps in the WAC returns virtually intact on the two-deep, with starters/subs that are all clones physically (though RS soph Marcus Riley comes in under 200). They're all run-stoppers with a nose for the ball, but none is bigger than 240, a sure factor for the marginal ranking in this area. Sanchez is particularly impressive (10 TFLs) and it wouldn't be surprising to see him as a down lineman to stop any initial rush. But this crew hasn't produced overall as a unit the way it should with so many run-stopping duties, so the line's improvement will allow them to focus more on underneath coverages. Put it this way: teams don't have to throw much if they can run well, so one step at a time will help to improve this unit's overall production and impact.

Defensive Back
Though handicapped as stated, three of the four starters return from the nation's third-best pass efficiency defense. CBs Marcus McCauley and Richard Marshall are strong in both coverage and open-field tackling. Tyrone Culver is the mainstay at FS, and the well-sized depth is strong here, too. Key stat to remember: teams threw only nine touchdown passes (T-5th in all I-A). This unit will benefit from the line's improvements, making Fresno's pass defense, an already-established strength, into a vice-grip that can save/win a game (3 TDs) with its smothering abilities and strong run-support.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Traditionally, Hill has used a 4-3 set in the pass-happy WAC. But, with experience and momentum, there will be some mixing, matching, and stunting so that run-stopping dilemmas eventually solve themselves. Accordingly, the code word this year will be 'disguise.' Now, this is not a smoke-and-mirrors type of thing. There's a lot of talent to achieve such new approaches. But to hide the deficiencies of the line, at least until it can gel, Hill and defensive coordinator Dan Brown will rely on different eight-man fronts and dare foes to throw the ball against these corners. A lot of chances should equal the proper yardage-limiting rewards. Even if the line again struggles, the back seven are good enough to carry the load. Ala Boise State's offensive moves that got them so far in 2004, instilling balance will be the main element if/when this crew improves its unworthy 36th total defensive ranking and therefore allowing the entire team to move to the "next level". Tuesday September 27th, Toledo will let them know if this is feasible/achievable, or if another revamping is needed before the Broncos and Trojans.