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Sept. 28, 2015
The Battle for the Old Oil Can Trophy is on the line when Fresno State and San Diego State meet for the 55th time Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Qualcomm Stadium ... the game is being televised nationally on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline) calling the game ... fans can also listen to the game on the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs, 940 AM ESPN radio, with `Voice of the Bulldogs' Paul Loeffler on the play-by-play, Fresno State coaching legend Pat Hill delivering game analysis and former Bulldog and NFL safety Cameron Worrell as the sideline reporter ... Saturday's matchup pitts the two teams picked atop the West Division in the 2015 Mountain West preseason poll and the two teams that have finished as the top two in the division over the last two years ... Fresno State is tied for the league lead with 12 sacks this season while Ejiro Ederaine and Claudell Louisare tied for second in the MW with three sacks apiece ... two of the top rushers in the country will be featured in Saturday's game, as SDSU tailback Donnel Pumphrey ranks No. 5 among active FBS players with 2,924 career rushing yards and Fresno State's Marteze Waller ranks No. 13 with 2,567 yards ... in last seasons win over San Diego State, the Bulldogs held the Aztecs to 270 total yards and that was the fewest yards Fresno State allowed in any game on the year ... both teams are looking to snap three game losing streaks on Saturday. Fresno State has not lost four-straight since 2006 while SDSU hasn't dropped four consecutive games in a season since 2009.
Bulldog Headlines
• Head coach Tim DeRuyter looks to improve to 4-0 against San Diego State.
• Fresno State owns a 7-3 record in October games under DeRuyter.
• Fresno State looking to avoid its first 0-2 to start in conference play since 2004 WAC play.
• Fresno State is going for its second-straight win over the Aztecs in San Diego. The last time the `Dogs won consecutive games there was back in 1992 and 1994. That is the only occasion in the last 50 years that the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games at San Diego State. Fresno State is 10-15-2 all-time when playing at SDSU.
| Fresno State (1-3, 0-1 MW) at San Diego State (1-3, 0-0 MW) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 | |||||
| Time | 7:30 p.m. PT | |||||
| Location | Qualcomm Stadium (70,561) - San Diego, Calif. | |||||
| TV | CBS Sports Network | Play-by-Play: Carter Blackburn; Analyst:: Aaron Taylor; Sideline: Jenny Dell | |||||
| Radio | ESPN Radio (940 AM) | Gameday Live (4:30 p.m.), Pregame Show (6:30 p.m.) Play-by-Play:Paul Loeffler; Analyst: Pat Hill; Sideline:Cameron Worrell
ESPN Deportes (1600 AM) in Spanish | Play-by-Play: Jesse Beltran; Analyst:Octavio Duarte
| |||||
| Game Notes | Fresno State Game Notes | San Diego State Game Notes | Mountain West Game Notes | |||||
| Live Stats | Gametracker | Stat Broadcast | |||||
| Team Statistics | Fresno State | San Diego State | Mountain West | |||||
| Social Media | @FresnoStateFB Twitter | Facebook | Fresno_State_Football Instagram | Snap Chat: FSAthletics | |||||
The Battle for the Old Oil Can Trophy is on the line when Fresno State and San Diego State meet for the 55th time Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Qualcomm Stadium ... the game is being televised nationally on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline) calling the game ... fans can also listen to the game on the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs, 940 AM ESPN radio, with `Voice of the Bulldogs' Paul Loeffler on the play-by-play, Fresno State coaching legend Pat Hill delivering game analysis and former Bulldog and NFL safety Cameron Worrell as the sideline reporter ... Saturday's matchup pitts the two teams picked atop the West Division in the 2015 Mountain West preseason poll and the two teams that have finished as the top two in the division over the last two years ... Fresno State is tied for the league lead with 12 sacks this season while Ejiro Ederaine and Claudell Louisare tied for second in the MW with three sacks apiece ... two of the top rushers in the country will be featured in Saturday's game, as SDSU tailback Donnel Pumphrey ranks No. 5 among active FBS players with 2,924 career rushing yards and Fresno State's Marteze Waller ranks No. 13 with 2,567 yards ... in last seasons win over San Diego State, the Bulldogs held the Aztecs to 270 total yards and that was the fewest yards Fresno State allowed in any game on the year ... both teams are looking to snap three game losing streaks on Saturday. Fresno State has not lost four-straight since 2006 while SDSU hasn't dropped four consecutive games in a season since 2009.
The Last Meeting
| San Diego State [CBSSN] | 13 |
| Fresno State | 24 |
October 3, 2014
Fresno, Calif.
Fresno, Calif.
| Bulldogs Win Third-Straight, Down SDSU 24-13 The Bulldog defense forced two key fourth-quarter turnovers and Fresno State held San Diego State to 270 yards in its 24-13 victory on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. |
• Head coach Tim DeRuyter looks to improve to 4-0 against San Diego State.
• Fresno State owns a 7-3 record in October games under DeRuyter.
• Fresno State looking to avoid its first 0-2 to start in conference play since 2004 WAC play.
• Fresno State is going for its second-straight win over the Aztecs in San Diego. The last time the `Dogs won consecutive games there was back in 1992 and 1994. That is the only occasion in the last 50 years that the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games at San Diego State. Fresno State is 10-15-2 all-time when playing at SDSU.
Series History vs. San Diego State
San Diego State leads the all-time series with Fresno State, 27-23-4, although Fresno State has won the last three meetings with the Aztecs. The two in-state rivals have been league affiliates of four different conferences throughout the history of the series that dates back to 1924. In intra-conference play, SDSU has the slight edge, 19-18-4, although the Bulldogs are 3-0 vs. SDSU in Mountain West play under head coach Tim DeRuyter.
San Diego State leads the all-time series with Fresno State, 27-23-4, although Fresno State has won the last three meetings with the Aztecs. The two in-state rivals have been league affiliates of four different conferences throughout the history of the series that dates back to 1924. In intra-conference play, SDSU has the slight edge, 19-18-4, although the Bulldogs are 3-0 vs. SDSU in Mountain West play under head coach Tim DeRuyter.
In Fresno State's last trip to Qualcomm Stadium, the Bulldogs blocked a field goal try at the end of regulation to force overtime. There, Fresno State won it in the extra period with a Marteze Waller touchdown run and a defensive stop on SDSU's overtime possession. In last seasons meeting with the Aztecs, which was also the second conference game of the season for the Bulldogs, Fresno State's defense forced two key fourth-quarter turnovers and held the Aztecs to 270 total yards in a 24-13 victory.
Scouting San Diego State
San Diego State like the Bulldogs enters Saturday's rivalry game on a three-game losing streak. The Aztecs lost at California, at home against South Alabama and last week at Penn State. SDSU features 2014 first-team All-Mountain West running back Donnel Pumphrey, who in 2015 is averaging 76.2 yards per game with three touchdowns. The Aztecs have averaged just 294.2 yards of offense and 23.0 points in the first month of the season. Opponents have scored 27.2 points and gone for 396.0 yards per game on the Aztec defense this year. This will be San Diego State's first conference game of the season.
San Diego State like the Bulldogs enters Saturday's rivalry game on a three-game losing streak. The Aztecs lost at California, at home against South Alabama and last week at Penn State. SDSU features 2014 first-team All-Mountain West running back Donnel Pumphrey, who in 2015 is averaging 76.2 yards per game with three touchdowns. The Aztecs have averaged just 294.2 yards of offense and 23.0 points in the first month of the season. Opponents have scored 27.2 points and gone for 396.0 yards per game on the Aztec defense this year. This will be San Diego State's first conference game of the season.
Ederaine A National Leader
Senior outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine ranks No. 6 in the FBS among all active players for the most career tackles for a loss with 25.0. He also ranks No. 17 in the FBS for career sacks with 15.0. Ederaine is coming off a second-straight strong outing. After setting a new career-high for tackles with 13 against No. 21 Utah, Ederaine had eight tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks last week at San Jose State. He is tied for second in the Mountain West with three sacks this year and is tied for first in the league with Colorado State's Kevin Davis with six tackles for a loss.
Senior outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine ranks No. 6 in the FBS among all active players for the most career tackles for a loss with 25.0. He also ranks No. 17 in the FBS for career sacks with 15.0. Ederaine is coming off a second-straight strong outing. After setting a new career-high for tackles with 13 against No. 21 Utah, Ederaine had eight tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks last week at San Jose State. He is tied for second in the Mountain West with three sacks this year and is tied for first in the league with Colorado State's Kevin Davis with six tackles for a loss.
→ Ederaine's two sacks against SJSU marked his fourth career game with two sacks and first since the 2013 season when he was a second-team All-Mountain West selection.
→ In two career games against SDSU, Ederaine has 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery that in 2013 he returned 78 yards for a touchdown. That is the longest fumble return for a TD in school history.
→ In two career games against SDSU, Ederaine has 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery that in 2013 he returned 78 yards for a touchdown. That is the longest fumble return for a TD in school history.
Sack Leader
Fresno State is tied for the conference lead in sacks with Boise State and New Mexico, each school posting 12 sacks through week four. All three schools are tied for 17th nationally in sacks. The Bulldogs are coming off a six-sack performance last week at San Jose State. That is the most sacks in a game for the Fresno State defense since also posting six sacks against Hawai`i last November. The Bulldog defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in both 2012 and 2013 with 40 sacks each season. In 2014, Fresno State had a drop off in sack production, posting just 30 on the season to rank 65th nationally.
Fresno State is tied for the conference lead in sacks with Boise State and New Mexico, each school posting 12 sacks through week four. All three schools are tied for 17th nationally in sacks. The Bulldogs are coming off a six-sack performance last week at San Jose State. That is the most sacks in a game for the Fresno State defense since also posting six sacks against Hawai`i last November. The Bulldog defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in both 2012 and 2013 with 40 sacks each season. In 2014, Fresno State had a drop off in sack production, posting just 30 on the season to rank 65th nationally.
Already this year seven different Bulldogs have posted sacks. Fresno State is one of four teams in the conference to have seven or more players record a sack this year. Along with Ejiro Ederaine, Claudell Louis also has three sacks this season. Fresno State is the only team in the Mountain West to have a pair of players who each have three sacks on the year.
Jordan Scores Twice
Redshirt freshman receiver Jamie Jordan scored a pair of touchdowns last week at San Jose State for his first career multi-touchdown game. He scored on a seven-yard touchdown reception and a five-yard run where he pulled a Houdini act to avoid three tacklers to find the end zone. Jordan leads the team in scoring this year with four touchdowns, three receiving and the one rushing score. Two weeks ago against No. 21 Utah, he caught an 82-yard touchdown pass that was the longest reception by a Bulldog since 2012. He also returned a kickoff 47 yards against San Jose State. Jordan is second on the team in all-purpose yardage with 361, trailing Marteze Waller who has 425.
Redshirt freshman receiver Jamie Jordan scored a pair of touchdowns last week at San Jose State for his first career multi-touchdown game. He scored on a seven-yard touchdown reception and a five-yard run where he pulled a Houdini act to avoid three tacklers to find the end zone. Jordan leads the team in scoring this year with four touchdowns, three receiving and the one rushing score. Two weeks ago against No. 21 Utah, he caught an 82-yard touchdown pass that was the longest reception by a Bulldog since 2012. He also returned a kickoff 47 yards against San Jose State. Jordan is second on the team in all-purpose yardage with 361, trailing Marteze Waller who has 425.
→ The last Bulldog to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game was running back Josh Quezada vs. New Mexico exactly one year prior to when Jordan did so, on Sept. 26, 2014 at New Mexico.
→ The last wide receiver to do so was Jalen Saunders vs. New Mexico State on Nov. 12, 2011.
→ The last Bulldog wide receiver to score a rushing touchdown in a game was Isaiah Burse vs. New Mexico on Nov. 23, 2013.
→ The last wide receiver to do so was Jalen Saunders vs. New Mexico State on Nov. 12, 2011.
→ The last Bulldog wide receiver to score a rushing touchdown in a game was Isaiah Burse vs. New Mexico on Nov. 23, 2013.
Rushing TDs
Fresno State got its first rushing touchdown on the year in week four at San Jose State. It came on a five-yard run by wide receiver Jamire Jordan. This is the first time in 15 years that a Bulldog running back did not have a rushing touchdown in the first four games of a season. The last season a Bulldog running back did not have a touchdown run in the first four games of the season was in 2000. That year, Fresno State started out with a 2-2 record and finished 7-5. The Bulldogs' leading rusher that year was Josh Levi, who had 92 carries for 397 yards and two touchdowns. Fresno State finished that 2000 season with just 11 rushing touchdowns, but only seven of those were by running backs.
Fresno State got its first rushing touchdown on the year in week four at San Jose State. It came on a five-yard run by wide receiver Jamire Jordan. This is the first time in 15 years that a Bulldog running back did not have a rushing touchdown in the first four games of a season. The last season a Bulldog running back did not have a touchdown run in the first four games of the season was in 2000. That year, Fresno State started out with a 2-2 record and finished 7-5. The Bulldogs' leading rusher that year was Josh Levi, who had 92 carries for 397 yards and two touchdowns. Fresno State finished that 2000 season with just 11 rushing touchdowns, but only seven of those were by running backs.
Starting Quarterback Debuts
Junior Ford Childress drew his first career start as a Bulldog last week at San Jose State. His two TD passes were the most by a Fresno State quarterback in a starting debut since Jeff Grady threw for three TDs on Aug. 23, 2002 at No. 25 Wisconsin. Childress' 159 passing yards are the most since Ryan Colburn's 161 in his 2009 starting debut. Colburn is actually the last Bulldog quarterback to lead his team to a victory in a starting debut.
Junior Ford Childress drew his first career start as a Bulldog last week at San Jose State. His two TD passes were the most by a Fresno State quarterback in a starting debut since Jeff Grady threw for three TDs on Aug. 23, 2002 at No. 25 Wisconsin. Childress' 159 passing yards are the most since Ryan Colburn's 161 in his 2009 starting debut. Colburn is actually the last Bulldog quarterback to lead his team to a victory in a starting debut.
Multiple Starting Quarterbacks
Childress became the third different quarterback to start a game this year for the Bulldogs. Research going back through 1979 when game-by-game starters were available shows that this is the first season Fresno State has started three different quarterbacks in a season. Fresno State is also just one of three FBS programs this year to start three different quarterbacks, joining Louisville (1-3) and Syracuse (3-1). Wyoming has started two different quarterbacks this year and looking in recent history, Utah State last year started four different quarterbacks in its 10-4 season. At Fresno State, the Bulldogs have had nine previous seasons starting two quarterbacks going back to 1979 and have posted winning seasons in just three of those years.
Childress became the third different quarterback to start a game this year for the Bulldogs. Research going back through 1979 when game-by-game starters were available shows that this is the first season Fresno State has started three different quarterbacks in a season. Fresno State is also just one of three FBS programs this year to start three different quarterbacks, joining Louisville (1-3) and Syracuse (3-1). Wyoming has started two different quarterbacks this year and looking in recent history, Utah State last year started four different quarterbacks in its 10-4 season. At Fresno State, the Bulldogs have had nine previous seasons starting two quarterbacks going back to 1979 and have posted winning seasons in just three of those years.
There has not been a season this century when four different Bulldog quarterbacks attempted a pass in the same year like it has happened in the first month of this 2015 season. The last season when four different Bulldog quarterbacks attempted a pass was in 1988 when Mark Barsotti, Dave Telford, Eric Buechele and Bobby Nieto all saw game action.
Childress Likely Out For the Year
Junior quarterback Ford Childress will likely miss the remainder of the season due to an internal injury that required surgery Sunday morning. Childress started and played the entire game for the Bulldogs on Saturday night in a loss at San Jose State. He was 19-of-32 passing in the game for 159 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Childress traveled back with the team following the game and was taken to a Fresno hospital upon the teams return. He is the second Bulldog quarterback this season to suffer a season-ending injury. Two weeks ago true freshman Chason Virgilsuffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Utah.
Junior quarterback Ford Childress will likely miss the remainder of the season due to an internal injury that required surgery Sunday morning. Childress started and played the entire game for the Bulldogs on Saturday night in a loss at San Jose State. He was 19-of-32 passing in the game for 159 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Childress traveled back with the team following the game and was taken to a Fresno hospital upon the teams return. He is the second Bulldog quarterback this season to suffer a season-ending injury. Two weeks ago true freshman Chason Virgilsuffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Utah.
Gains on Kickoff Returns
It has been seven years and 87 games since Fresno State's last kickoff return for a touchdown, but Fresno State showed an explosiveness in the kick return game that has not been seen for a while. Fresno State entered last week's San Jose State game averaging 17.0 yards per kickoff return, which ranked 10th out of 12 teams in the Mountain West. Last season, the Bulldogs ranked 111th nationally with an average return of 18.9 yards and Fresno State has not ranked in the top 50 nationally in kickoff return average since 2010 when the `Dogs averaged 20.5 yards per return.
It has been seven years and 87 games since Fresno State's last kickoff return for a touchdown, but Fresno State showed an explosiveness in the kick return game that has not been seen for a while. Fresno State entered last week's San Jose State game averaging 17.0 yards per kickoff return, which ranked 10th out of 12 teams in the Mountain West. Last season, the Bulldogs ranked 111th nationally with an average return of 18.9 yards and Fresno State has not ranked in the top 50 nationally in kickoff return average since 2010 when the `Dogs averaged 20.5 yards per return.
That last kickoff return for a touchdown was a 92-yard TD by A.J. Jefferson on Nov. 7, 2008 in a loss against Nevada. Last week at San Jose State, the Bulldogs nearly snapped that streak twice on a pair of returns. Da'Mari Scott took the games opening kickoff back 66 yards to the SJSU 33-yard line, which was the longest return by a Bulldog since Jefferson's TD in 2008. Then later, Jamire Jordan had a 47-yard return. Fresno State averaged 26.1 yards on its eight returns in the game. After their best showing in this category in quite some time, Fresno State now finds itself averaging 20.2 yards per return and in one week moved up from 10th to seventh in the conference rankings.
→ Fresno State at SJSU broke 200 yards in kickoff return yardage for the first time since Sept. 18, 2009 vs. Boise State (210).
Special Teams Key
Now the Bulldogs are set to go up against the league's top kickoff return unit in San Diego State. The Aztecs are averaging 35.7 yards on 12 returns this year with two touchdowns. They rank No. 1 nationally in kickoff return average and their two TDs are tied for the most by any team in the FBS. Fresno State has allowed opponents to average 24.7 yards on kickoff returns with one touchdown. The key there might be reproducing last week's effort. Kickoff man Garrett Swanson had touchbacks on all five of his kickoffs against San Jose State and 11 of his 19 kickoffs on the season have been touchbacks.
Now the Bulldogs are set to go up against the league's top kickoff return unit in San Diego State. The Aztecs are averaging 35.7 yards on 12 returns this year with two touchdowns. They rank No. 1 nationally in kickoff return average and their two TDs are tied for the most by any team in the FBS. Fresno State has allowed opponents to average 24.7 yards on kickoff returns with one touchdown. The key there might be reproducing last week's effort. Kickoff man Garrett Swanson had touchbacks on all five of his kickoffs against San Jose State and 11 of his 19 kickoffs on the season have been touchbacks.
Importance of A Fast Start
Over the last 18 games since the start of the 2014 season when Fresno State has a 7-11 record, the `Dogs have been slow out of the gates. In those 11 losses, Fresno State's offense has averaged just 2.3 points and 52.8 yards of offense in the first quarter of a game. In the seven victories, the `Dogs have averaged 8.4 first-quarter points on 126.6 yards.
Over the last 18 games since the start of the 2014 season when Fresno State has a 7-11 record, the `Dogs have been slow out of the gates. In those 11 losses, Fresno State's offense has averaged just 2.3 points and 52.8 yards of offense in the first quarter of a game. In the seven victories, the `Dogs have averaged 8.4 first-quarter points on 126.6 yards.
→ Fresno State owns a 21-4 record under Tim DeRuyter when scoring first, but is just 6-13 when allowing opponents to be the first to score in a game.
More Freshman Making A Mark
Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson became the second Bulldog freshmen to score a touchdown this year when he caught a 29-yard TD pass from Ford Childress last week. Jamire Jordan is the other Bulldog freshmen with a TD. Johnson had his best game so far early on in this season, catching seven passes for 90 yards and the score at San Jose State. His seven receptions are the most by any Bulldog in any game this season and his 90 receiving yardage is the second-highest behind Jordan's 102-yards he put up against No. 21 Utah.
Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson became the second Bulldog freshmen to score a touchdown this year when he caught a 29-yard TD pass from Ford Childress last week. Jamire Jordan is the other Bulldog freshmen with a TD. Johnson had his best game so far early on in this season, catching seven passes for 90 yards and the score at San Jose State. His seven receptions are the most by any Bulldog in any game this season and his 90 receiving yardage is the second-highest behind Jordan's 102-yards he put up against No. 21 Utah.
True freshman James Bailey posted nine tackles and recovered a fumble last week. His nine tackles are the most by a Bulldog freshman since Ben Jacobs (RFr.) had 16 tackles at No. 23 Texas A&M in 2007. Jacobs is Fresno State's third all-time leading tackler with 387 stops and now in his third season with the Carolina Panthers. Bailey, unlike Jacobs, is playing as a true freshman. He has 15 tackles on the season which is tied for sixth on the team and is second in the Mountain West among all true freshmen. Only Wyoming true freshman defensive back Andrew Wingard has more tackles, as he has 33 stops this season.
Fumble Recoveries
James Bailey's fumble recovery last week was Fresno State's fifth of the season. The Bulldogs are in a tie for second in the FBS for the most fumble recoveries with 14 other teams. Only Ohio University has more fumble recoveries with six. The five fumble recoveries this year are already more than they had in 13 games in 2011 (four recoveries) and tied the total amount they had in 2010 (five in 13 games).
James Bailey's fumble recovery last week was Fresno State's fifth of the season. The Bulldogs are in a tie for second in the FBS for the most fumble recoveries with 14 other teams. Only Ohio University has more fumble recoveries with six. The five fumble recoveries this year are already more than they had in 13 games in 2011 (four recoveries) and tied the total amount they had in 2010 (five in 13 games).
Fresno State ranks in a tie for second in the Mountain West in turnovers gained this year with nine total, adding four interceptions to their five pickups on fumbles. The nine take-aways also ranks in a tie for the 18th most nationally. The Bulldogs have forced at least one turnover in every game this year.
More on Fumbles
Stratton Brown forced his first career fumble last week that Bailey recovered for the Bulldogs. He is the fourth different Bulldog with a forced fumble this year. Boise State is the only other team in the Mountain West ahead of the Bulldogs with five forced fumbles, all five by different players. Last year, 10 different Bulldogs forced fumbles on the year and that number tied for the most by any team in the conference with Hawai`i and New Mexico.
Stratton Brown forced his first career fumble last week that Bailey recovered for the Bulldogs. He is the fourth different Bulldog with a forced fumble this year. Boise State is the only other team in the Mountain West ahead of the Bulldogs with five forced fumbles, all five by different players. Last year, 10 different Bulldogs forced fumbles on the year and that number tied for the most by any team in the conference with Hawai`i and New Mexico.
Turnovers Into Points
Fresno State's 10 turnovers this season has amounted to seven touchdowns by its opponents (48 points).The Bulldogs as a team do have nine take-aways, which is tied for the 18th-most in the FBS and second in the Mountain West, but Fresno State has converted those nine turnovers into just 27 points (three touchdowns and two field goals).
Fresno State's 10 turnovers this season has amounted to seven touchdowns by its opponents (48 points).The Bulldogs as a team do have nine take-aways, which is tied for the 18th-most in the FBS and second in the Mountain West, but Fresno State has converted those nine turnovers into just 27 points (three touchdowns and two field goals).
Back-To-Back With 10+
For the second-straight game junior inside linebacker Jeff Camilli posted double-digit tackles. Two weeks ago vs. No. 21 Utah he recorded a career-high 11 stops. Last week at SJSU he had 10. The last Bulldog with 10 or more tackles in consecutive games was Travis Brown in 2011 when he had 11 tackles at Idaho and 10 the following week against Mississippi at home. Ben Jacobs in 2008 was the last Bulldog to produce three-straight games with 10 or more tackles, doing so in the Utah State (10), Louisiana Tec (11) and Nevada (14) games from Oct. 25-Nov. 7.
For the second-straight game junior inside linebacker Jeff Camilli posted double-digit tackles. Two weeks ago vs. No. 21 Utah he recorded a career-high 11 stops. Last week at SJSU he had 10. The last Bulldog with 10 or more tackles in consecutive games was Travis Brown in 2011 when he had 11 tackles at Idaho and 10 the following week against Mississippi at home. Ben Jacobs in 2008 was the last Bulldog to produce three-straight games with 10 or more tackles, doing so in the Utah State (10), Louisiana Tec (11) and Nevada (14) games from Oct. 25-Nov. 7.
Hardaway Returns
Sophomore wide receiver Delvon Hardaway returned from injury to make his first appearance of the season last week at San Jose State. Hardaway suffered a torn ACL in spring practices and recovered quickly from surgery and with rehab to return to action. His quick recovery is similar to that of Todd Hunt's in 2012. Hunt that year also tore his ACL in spring football, but recovered to return to action in the fifth game of that season, which was a Homecoming 52-40 victory over San Diego State. Hardaway saw plenty of action in his return last week, but did not record a reception.
Sophomore wide receiver Delvon Hardaway returned from injury to make his first appearance of the season last week at San Jose State. Hardaway suffered a torn ACL in spring practices and recovered quickly from surgery and with rehab to return to action. His quick recovery is similar to that of Todd Hunt's in 2012. Hunt that year also tore his ACL in spring football, but recovered to return to action in the fifth game of that season, which was a Homecoming 52-40 victory over San Diego State. Hardaway saw plenty of action in his return last week, but did not record a reception.
Clean Play
Fresno State had a disciplined team in 2014, being penalized just 59 times to rank No. 9 in the FBS. Through the first month of the season, the Bulldogs have played smart and avoided being highly penalized, drawing just 15 penalties on the season. Fresno State is the least penalized team in the MW this year and is ranked No. 10 in the FBS. This is one area where Fresno State has greatly improved in Tim DeRuyter's tenure.
Fresno State had a disciplined team in 2014, being penalized just 59 times to rank No. 9 in the FBS. Through the first month of the season, the Bulldogs have played smart and avoided being highly penalized, drawing just 15 penalties on the season. Fresno State is the least penalized team in the MW this year and is ranked No. 10 in the FBS. This is one area where Fresno State has greatly improved in Tim DeRuyter's tenure.
Third Down Rebound
One week after allowing No. 21 Utah to convert 13-of-19 third-down tries, the Bulldog defense allowed San Jose State to convert 7-of-10 third-down plays last week. The 13 third-down conversions by the Utes on Sept. 19 are the most a Fresno State defense had allowed since Oct. 23, 1999. That day the UTEP Miners were 13-of-22 on third downs against the Bulldogs in a 24-23 Fresno State win in overtime. Like the Utah game where the Utes controlled the ball for 37:22 of the clock, UTEP held the ball for 38:42 in that 1999 game, but lost three fumbles. The Miners had 30 first downs to Fresno State's 14 and out-gained the Bulldogs 448-333, but Fresno State stopped UTEP going for a two-point conversion in overtime to win.
One week after allowing No. 21 Utah to convert 13-of-19 third-down tries, the Bulldog defense allowed San Jose State to convert 7-of-10 third-down plays last week. The 13 third-down conversions by the Utes on Sept. 19 are the most a Fresno State defense had allowed since Oct. 23, 1999. That day the UTEP Miners were 13-of-22 on third downs against the Bulldogs in a 24-23 Fresno State win in overtime. Like the Utah game where the Utes controlled the ball for 37:22 of the clock, UTEP held the ball for 38:42 in that 1999 game, but lost three fumbles. The Miners had 30 first downs to Fresno State's 14 and out-gained the Bulldogs 448-333, but Fresno State stopped UTEP going for a two-point conversion in overtime to win.
The Bulldogs look to get back to their third-down defense they had in the season opener. That evening against Abilene Christian, the Bulldogs held ACU to 1-of-7 on third-down tries in the first half and 10-of-19 for the game.
→ Bulldog opponents are converting 56.7 percent of its third downs against Fresno State, ranking the Bulldogs 126th out of 127 nationally.
→ Fresno State is converting 43.5 percent (27-for-62) of its third downs, ranking 41st nationally and fourth in the MW.
→ Fresno State is converting 43.5 percent (27-for-62) of its third downs, ranking 41st nationally and fourth in the MW.
More on Time of Possession
In the last two games, Fresno State has trailed in the time of possession category by 15:52 against San Jose State and 14:44 against then 21st-ranked Utah. Time of possession is not always the telling factor of a game, but in these last two games it does illustrate a bit of the disparity Fresno State has had against its opponents. The Bulldogs had just 13 first downs against San Jose State and only 247 yards of total offense and 16 first downs with 365 yards of total offense vs. Utah.
In the last two games, Fresno State has trailed in the time of possession category by 15:52 against San Jose State and 14:44 against then 21st-ranked Utah. Time of possession is not always the telling factor of a game, but in these last two games it does illustrate a bit of the disparity Fresno State has had against its opponents. The Bulldogs had just 13 first downs against San Jose State and only 247 yards of total offense and 16 first downs with 365 yards of total offense vs. Utah.
How Fresno State can help itself in this category is by being productive on first down. Over these last two games the Bulldogs have gained three yards or less on 62 percent of their first-down plays. The `Dogs have been run heavy on first down, rushing the ball 60 percent of the time on first down. In the Abilene Christian game, Fresno State averaged 4.8 yards on first down. Since then, the Bulldogs have averaged 4.0 yards at No. 14 Ole Miss, 4.3 vs. No. 21 Utah and 3.9 at San Jose State on first down plays.
This-N-That
• Before this season defensive end Claudell Louis had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks in 14 games. This year in four games, Louis has 13 tackles, three sacks, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery.
• Running back Marteze Waller has moved up into sixth place on the Fresno State all-time rushing list with 2,567 yards. He needs 117 yards to pass Dwayne Wright for fifth place. Waller's career rushing yardage is the 13th highest among all active FBS players.
• Waller has been held from a rushing touchdown for six-straight games dating back to last season. That is the longest such stretch since the tailback become the `Dogs starter last year.
• In two career games vs. SDSU, Waller has 24 rushes for 89 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with two touchdowns. Also in two career games against Fresno State, Aztec running back Donnel Pumphrey has 36 rushing attempts for 131 yards (3.6 yards per carry) with no touchdowns.
• There have been 17 scoring drives by opposing offense's this year and seven of them have used 10 or more plays. Only three of Fresno State's 16 scoring drives on offense this year have spanned 10 or more plays, the last being a 10-play, 82-yard drive at then No. 14 Ole Miss in the second quarter.
• The Bulldogs have five players on their roster from the San Diego area, including its starting left guard in sophomore Aaron Mitchell (Cathedral Catholic). Also from the area is offensive lineman Brendan Bailey (Vista, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista HS), defensive end Kyle Hendrickson (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS), running back Chris Moliga (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS) and defensive back Eric Wilson (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino).
• Fresno State offensive coordinator Dave Schramm grew up in San Diego and earned his bachelor's degree from San Diego State in 1988. He coached at SDSU from 1990-2001, serving as the recruiting coordinator for his first 11 years there while also coaching the offensive line (1992), safeties (1993), tight ends (1994-96) and running backs (1997-01).
• Nose guard Nathan Madsen recorded the first sack of his career last week at San Jose State.
• Outside linebacker Justin Green posted a career-high eight tackles against SJSU and he had a sack in the game, which was his second of the season. He entered the game with three career tackles in 10 career games.
• Fresno State had never lost a MW opener until last week. The last conference opener lost was vs No. 10 Boise State in 2009, but that year Fresno State bounced back with a win at Hawai`i in its next conference game.
• Opponents are averaging 4.25 points, four first downs and 55.5 yards on its opening drive of the game against Fresno State. The Bulldogs have scored just one touchdown on their opening drive of a game and that was in the season opener against Abilene Christian. Fresno State does not have a first down on its first drive of the game in its last three contests, although the Bulldogs did get a field goal on their first possession two weeks ago against No. 21 Utah (they forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and recovered on the Ute 17-yard line).
• Before this season defensive end Claudell Louis had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks in 14 games. This year in four games, Louis has 13 tackles, three sacks, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery.
• Running back Marteze Waller has moved up into sixth place on the Fresno State all-time rushing list with 2,567 yards. He needs 117 yards to pass Dwayne Wright for fifth place. Waller's career rushing yardage is the 13th highest among all active FBS players.
• Waller has been held from a rushing touchdown for six-straight games dating back to last season. That is the longest such stretch since the tailback become the `Dogs starter last year.
• In two career games vs. SDSU, Waller has 24 rushes for 89 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with two touchdowns. Also in two career games against Fresno State, Aztec running back Donnel Pumphrey has 36 rushing attempts for 131 yards (3.6 yards per carry) with no touchdowns.
• There have been 17 scoring drives by opposing offense's this year and seven of them have used 10 or more plays. Only three of Fresno State's 16 scoring drives on offense this year have spanned 10 or more plays, the last being a 10-play, 82-yard drive at then No. 14 Ole Miss in the second quarter.
• The Bulldogs have five players on their roster from the San Diego area, including its starting left guard in sophomore Aaron Mitchell (Cathedral Catholic). Also from the area is offensive lineman Brendan Bailey (Vista, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista HS), defensive end Kyle Hendrickson (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS), running back Chris Moliga (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS) and defensive back Eric Wilson (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino).
• Fresno State offensive coordinator Dave Schramm grew up in San Diego and earned his bachelor's degree from San Diego State in 1988. He coached at SDSU from 1990-2001, serving as the recruiting coordinator for his first 11 years there while also coaching the offensive line (1992), safeties (1993), tight ends (1994-96) and running backs (1997-01).
• Nose guard Nathan Madsen recorded the first sack of his career last week at San Jose State.
• Outside linebacker Justin Green posted a career-high eight tackles against SJSU and he had a sack in the game, which was his second of the season. He entered the game with three career tackles in 10 career games.
• Fresno State had never lost a MW opener until last week. The last conference opener lost was vs No. 10 Boise State in 2009, but that year Fresno State bounced back with a win at Hawai`i in its next conference game.
• Opponents are averaging 4.25 points, four first downs and 55.5 yards on its opening drive of the game against Fresno State. The Bulldogs have scored just one touchdown on their opening drive of a game and that was in the season opener against Abilene Christian. Fresno State does not have a first down on its first drive of the game in its last three contests, although the Bulldogs did get a field goal on their first possession two weeks ago against No. 21 Utah (they forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and recovered on the Ute 17-yard line).
Upon Further Review
Zack Greenlee's three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against No. 21 Utah two weeks ago are the most TD passes by any Bulldog quarterback in a fourth quarter of a game going all the way back through 1980. Greenlee was 6-for-10 in that fourth quarter and his TD tosses went for 82 yards, 32 and six. The 82-yarder to Jamire Jordan was the longest since 2012 when Derek Carr hit Davante Adams on an 89-yard TD at New Mexico.
Zack Greenlee's three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against No. 21 Utah two weeks ago are the most TD passes by any Bulldog quarterback in a fourth quarter of a game going all the way back through 1980. Greenlee was 6-for-10 in that fourth quarter and his TD tosses went for 82 yards, 32 and six. The 82-yarder to Jamire Jordan was the longest since 2012 when Derek Carr hit Davante Adams on an 89-yard TD at New Mexico.
"Battle for the Old Oil Can" Trophy
This is the fifth season of the "Battle for the Old Oil Can" Trophy, given to the winning team in the rivalry series between San Diego State and Fresno State. The trophy stems from the discovery of an old oil can from Fresno (circa 1935) that was recovered during a San Diego State campus building project, said Jacquelyn K. Glasener, executive director of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
This is the fifth season of the "Battle for the Old Oil Can" Trophy, given to the winning team in the rivalry series between San Diego State and Fresno State. The trophy stems from the discovery of an old oil can from Fresno (circa 1935) that was recovered during a San Diego State campus building project, said Jacquelyn K. Glasener, executive director of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
"The old oil can," she said, "likely came from a time when Aztec and Bulldog fans traveled to football games between the two schools via the old, twisting, precipitous Grapevine section of Highway 99 over Tejon Pass."
"Cars in those days carried extra oil and water to be sure they could make it through difficult trips," added Jim Herrick, executive director of the San Diego State Alumni Association.
The alumni associations of the two schools purchased an antique oil can to be the basis of the trophy to be awarded to the winner of the rivalry game each time the schools meet.
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