FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
2013 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Robbie Rouse-RB, Rashad Evans-WR, Matt Hunt-OG, Richard Helepiko-OG/OT
DEFENSE: Anthony Williams-DE, Travis Brown-LB, Tristan Okpalaugo-LB, Shawn Plummer-LB, Phillip Thomas-S, Andrew Shapiro-P
QB Derek Carr
Quarterback / Receiver

Derek Carr, brother of NFL quarterback David Carr, is an NFL quarterback playing in college today according to coaches that have faced him. His 28 of 32 passing game for 452 yards versus Air Force late in the season led opposing head coach Troy Calhoun, a former NFL assistant, to acknowledge as much. The Mountain West Offensive Player of The Year is on fire. He will have all of his receivers back making for some potent combinations.

Running Back

There has to be some concern in regards to the ground game. Running Back Robbie Rouse was responsible for nearly 75% of the rushing yards. The only other option will be sophomore Marteze Walker who only managed 174 yards as a frosh.

DB Derron Smith
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2013 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
FRESNO STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Derek Carr-Sr Greg Watson-Jr
RB Marteze Waller-So ..
WR Isaiah Burse-Sr Dillon Root-So
WR Davante Adams-So Aaron Peck-So
WR Josh Harper-Jr Dean Victor-Jr (inj.)
TE Marcel Jensen-Sr Riley Barnes-Jr
OT Austin Wentworth-Sr ..
OG .. ..
C Lars Bramer-Sr ..
OG .. ..
OT Cody Wichmann-Jr Alex Fifita-So
K Quentin Breshears-So ..
 
FRESNO STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Nikko Motta-Sr Ben Letcher-Sr
NG Tyeler Davison-Jr ..
DE Andy Jennings-Sr Todd Hunt-So
OLB Donavon Lewis-Jr Nat Harrison-Sr
MLB Karl Mickelson-Jr Kyrie Wilson-So
MLB Patrick Su'a-Sr (inj.) Jeremiah Toma-Sr
OLB .. ..
CB Sean Alston-Jr Shannon Edwards-So
CB L.J. Jones-Sr Davon Dunn-Jr
S Derron Smith-Jr Charles Washington-So
S .. ..
P .. ..
QUICK TAKES

    12/18/12

  • Watch out for quarterback David Carr. He's already publicly stated he is returning for his senior year. He posted some great numbers through out 2012 but caught absolute fire in November in this spread offense.
  • Carr's favorite target is sophomore Davante Adams, who has amassed 89 receptions for 1,168 yards. Carr has dumped the ball to 14 different receivers and they are all coming back.
  • When looking for a weak link look no further than the ability to stop teams from running with the pigskin. This was the nation's 75th ranked run defense. But those numbers might be a little askew given they were 3rd best in the Mountain West. The good news is that Fresno State has two All-Conference defensive linemen in Davison and Jennings.
  • Make no mistake, the pass defense is one of the best in the nation. Gone will be Jim Thorpe Award finalist Phillip Thomas at safety. But safety Derron Smith is just as capable. Thomas was the team's top tackler and picked off eight passes. Smith was the team's second best tackler and picked off six passes. Both corners return. Fresno State's 20 interceptions was the country's third best total.
  • The Bulldogs are riding the wave of a five-game winning streak and seven of their last eight games to close 2012. The players have rallied around coach Tim DeRuyter and his staff in their first year in the program. There is talent to go with the attitude. Things are looking up again in The Valley.

 

FRESNO STATE 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 29 - Rutgers
Sept. 7 - Cal Poly
Sept. 14 - at Colorado
Oct. 5 - at Idaho
CONFERENCE GAMES TBA