Monday, Aug. 25, 2008

First four games could dictate season in store for Fresno State

By Bryant-Jon Anteola / The Fresno Bee

Fresno State's summer camp is over, and it's time to go back to school.

First exam is in seven days for that much anticipated game at Rutgers.

So let's review the two main questions regarding the season: Fresno State's talent and that of its opponents.

So get out that pen and pad, and take notes.

Hey, you all in the back with the redshirt and grayshirt on. Don't doze off this semester. This is for you, too, even if you don't travel with the team this year.

Is Fresno State ready?

It's a three-fold answer. Offensively, the Bulldogs look sharp. Defensively, it's coming around. And special teams, uh, cross your fingers.

"There's still a lot of loose ends to tie up," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "After three weeks, we've got a good feel but we're not completely done. We've got a lot of work to do before the season opener."

Loaded offense

Quarterback Tom Brandstater begins his third season at the helm and has a plethora of weapons to use with 10 offensive starters back.

Running backs Ryan Mathews and Lonyae Miller are bigger and faster. And the offensive line excels at run blocking, particularly when running to the left side behind guard Cole Popovich, tackle Bobby Lepori and tight end Bear Pascoe. That's three of the team's strongest players plowing in the same direction.

A lot of receivers have been nicked up in summer workouts. But they, too, seem good to go. Deep-ball threat Marlon Moore could be in line for a big year again after leading the team with 694 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Pascoe will again be tough to handle with his size and speed. And don't be surprised if slot receiver Devon Wylie plays a prominent role.

Brandstater should have plenty of time to throw, being that the Bulldogs ranked 22nd in the nation by allowing just 18 sacks all of last season, and return 80% of the starting line. Brandstater also has proved to be a good play-action passer.

"It's great to know that we've accomplished things before and we're clicking this early," Brandstater said. "We just need to get it out of our head that last year's success means nothing this year and we've got to start over."

The only chinks in the armor seem to be backfield blocking; whether the running backs can pick up safety blitzes and if the fullback can provide the solid lead blocking in short-yardage situations.

Questions on defense

Defensively, there's a few more question marks with six players back who started the majority of last year.

But expected first-year starters Nico Herron (strongside linebacker) and A.J. Jefferson (cornerback) have looked impressive at camp.

Senior defensive end Ikenna Ike, who has played significant downs since he was a redshirt freshman, would be considered a returning starter had he not missed half of last season with a wrist injury.

Stopping the run inside could present a problem if defensive tackles Cornell Banks and Mark Roberts can't clog up holes. After the interior line play, the main area of concern is whether weakside linebacker Chris Carter has learned his new role. He switched from defensive end in the summer.

The 6-2, 220-pound Carter has potential, along with the size and speed, to excel at the position, but lacks the instincts of knowing where the ball is going that last year's starter, Marcus Riley, showed.

"Each day, I feel more comfortable," Carter said. "I still don't know everything. But I'll be ready."

Also, it's unclear whether free safety Marvin Haynes will be healthy to assume his starting role again. He's been dealing with various injuries since the spring, which might force Jake Jorde to play a prominent role. Jorde, a senior, has never started.