Posted by bambi2godzilla on 9/2/2007, 1:03 pm Previous Bulldog teams would have put up 50 or so points. Expectations down The Raisin Way have definitely been lowered of late. This may appear as sour grapes considering ASU's pounding of SJSU...but it isn't. Nothing ameliorates the flat performance by the Spartans. Fresno State does just what it wants Bryant-Jon Anteola Pat Hill walked down the ramp, smiling for a change and dishing out high-fives to fans stretching their arms over the railing. It's been quite some time since Hill could share some joy after a game and there were fans who actually wanted to congratulate the Fresno State coach rather than offer condolences. Behind an unrelenting defense and an intentionally conservative offense, Fresno State began its season with a 24-7 victory against Sacramento State on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium. "I really like being 1-0," said an understating Hill, who is coming off a 4-8 season. Fresno State hasn't been above .500 -- much less undefeated -- since winning last year's opener against Nevada. Sure, the Bulldogs' first true test won't arrive until next weekend when Fresno State (1-0) plays at No. 25 Texas A&M (1-0). But Saturday, Fresno State did what it was expected to do against a Division I-AA opponent. The Bulldogs dominated on both sides of the ball to lead throughout and never feel threatened -- so much so that Hill began emptying his bench near the start of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs held the Hornets to 102 total yards and kept Sacramento State on its side of the field on nine of 12 drives -- this despite missing three defensive starters due to suspension or injury. The Bulldogs' offense, led by rejuvenated quarterback Tom Brandstater, generated 475 total yards and 23 first downs while sticking with a few base formations. Brandstater began his second year as the starter just as he did last year -- on fire. The junior connected on seven of his first 10 passes for 99 yards before finishing with 199 yards and one touchdown on 16-of-27 passing. He also ran for 38 yards on six attempts, twice gaining a first down while scrambling on third-and-long situations. "I thought [the defense] did a great job putting the clamps on," Hill said. "I thought [Brandstater] had great command with the passing game and he ran the ball well. "We didn't show a whole lot tonight [offensively]. Didn't want to. Didn't need to." That time will surely come with Texas A&M up next. Against the Hornets, Fresno State's conservative style allowed it to patiently work the clock and hold onto the ball for a 34:43-to-25:17 advantage in time of possession. Any running back Fresno State inserted seemed to have a field day. True freshman back Ryan Mathews ran for a team-high 77 yards on 11 carries, dazzling observers from the start when he broke loose for an 16-yard scamper on his first touch. He would have had at least 50 more yards had one of his fourth-quarter runs not been called back because of penalty. Starting running back Lonyae Miller had 57 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts while showing off a more power, north-south rushing style. Clifton Smith used his change-of-pace, shifty style to the tune of 49 yards on seven carries. The senior scored on a 30-yard run on a draw out of a shotgun formation. And Anthony Harding notched 41 yards on six carries. "We just kept playing physical," said tight end Bear Pascoe, who helped open a couple of those big holes to add to his three catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. "It was important to come out tonight, play the style we've wanted to play and keep at it." About the only flaws to Fresno State's outing were its careless ballhandling (lost three of four fumbles) and penalties (six for 43 yards). Marlon Moore's fumble, committed just before halftime, occurred 1 yard shy of the end zone and cost Fresno State the chance to expand its lead. Not that Fresno State was all too concerned. It still led 14-3 at intermission, and Hill didn't mind sticking around for some of the halftime jersey-retirement ceremony for David Carr rather than be with his team in the locker room. Fresno State scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters. The first came on a 27-yard pass from Brandstater to Pascoe, with the tight end running a post-corner pattern to make a catch over his left shoulder. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 14-3 midway through the second quarter when Miller powered his way up the middle on a 3-yard run. That drive stayed alive thanks to a 20-yard scramble from Brandstater on third and 9. Fresno State scored its last touchdown when Smith maneuvered his way to the end zone -- practically untouched -- from 30 yards out. "This sets the tone," Moore said. "None of us are satisfied. But we got the win and we'll build on it."
63.249.102.18
You don't want to spit on a win but Fresno State 24-3 victory over Sac State is actually a surprise.
Bulldogs pick apart the Hornets to put football fortunes back on track
The Fresno Bee
9/02/07
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