After the stadium's field looked a hot mess for the spring game, somebody got their butt in motion and went to work on the field.

It looks like they're going to resod the middle of the field (where the Bulldog was painted) and home bench area -- both needed much work.

They had the sprinklers going yesterday and it looked like they could have rolled the field as well.

Congratulations. It's good to know the field won't look horrible come September.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State MVP Clifton Smith will fly to Tampa Bay on Thursday and will sign a free agent contract for the weekend with the Buccaneers.

If all goes well, he'll be able to sign a longer deal.

Damon Jenkins, a starter at cornerback, will do the same with the Clelevand Browns.

Continue reading "Bulldogs' Clifton Smith to Tampa, Jenkins to Cleveland" »

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In Bob Condotta's blog today (he's the University of Washington football reporter for the Seattle Times), he lists information on spring football game attendance from around the country (these numbers were compiled by Colorado sports information director Dave Plati, so, folks, you're getting this information third hand).

Fresno State's attendance was 2,600 for the free-of-charge April 19 scrimmage. By comparison:

• Nebraska's, where they charge $4-$10, was 80,149
• Alabama's was 78,200
• Ohio State's, where they charge $5, was 76,346.

In the Western Athletic Conference, Boise State's, where they charge $7, was 7,500; Hawaii's was 9,300; Idaho's was 5,100; and Louisiana Tech's was 5,103.

From the surprisingly low: Virginia 5,000, Wake Forest 4,100, Syracuse 3,428, Stanford 2,000 and Washington State 900.

The national average was 14,331 and the median was 8,000.

So, there you have it. Five minutes that you'll never get back.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's an excerpt from a story by Kevin Seifert in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In addition to chronicling the Minnesota Vikings' trade for Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, it talks about former Fresno State wide receiver Bernard Berrian and his recruitment this offseason by the Vikings.

It started on Day 1 of free agency, when [team owner Zygi] Wilf sent his private plane to Fresno, Calif., to collect receiver Bernard Berrian. The Vikings had decided that receiver and defensive end were their top priorities, and Berrian was widely considered the best pass-catcher available.

While the Vikings had Berrian on lockdown at the 601 Graves Hotel, several other teams — Oakland and Tennessee among them — tried persuading Berrian to leave town. The Vikings? They kept increasing their offer until Berrian agreed to terms on a deal that included him $16 million in guaranteed money.

Oakland ended up signing receiver free agent Javon Walker, a riskier move considering Walker’s history of knee injuries, while Tennessee was left with no choice but to re-sign journeyman Justin McCareins.

“They sold me on the fact that they’re trying to get to that championship game,” Berrian said. “They told me that they needed a couple pieces to try to get there. And the actual thing is, their two top priorities that they went for this offseason, they got them both. That was impressive.”

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ryan Wendell, Marcus Riley and Brandon Breazell, neither of whom were chosen in this weekend's NFL draft, each came to terms on free-agent contracts with NFL teams.

Wendell, a former Fresno State offensive lineman, signed with the New England Patriots; Riley, a former Bulldog linebacker, will join the Green Bay Packers; and Breazell, the former UCLA wide receiver and Edison High standout, agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Former Fresno State defensive tackle Jason Shirley was chosen in the fifth round (No. 145 overall) of this weekend's NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shirley, a 6-foot-5, 329-pounder, was limited to three games during his senior season because of suspensions.

Shirley was suspended the first two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He played three games, then was suspended a second time after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Police say he crashed a car into an apartment complex on Oct. 8. Shirley was charged with three misdemeanors: driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08% or higher, and hit and run.

Shirley appealed the suspension and provided medical documents that detailed a concussion he received days before the car crash.

He again was reinstated, but a few days after he was was charged with driving with a suspended license and expired registration. He was suspended again, this time for the remainder of the season.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Several thousand fans showed up today to watch the Bulldogs spring game.
The band was out, and so were the cheerleaders ... make sure to check out the paper Sunday for more coverage.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier was calling out "OOO OOO OOO" in the coaches box upstairs as Colburn bootlegged left inside the 10-yard line. He had Kinter open in the back of the endzone for a couple of seconds before finally zipping a strike into Kinter's hands.

Both he and Grady have been animated in their box. Ryan Skidmore just dropped a pass and you could hear a thud in the box ... earlier when QB Matt Faulkner missed a swing pass read, one of them shouted.

They were pleasantly silent when Faulkner found Duffy for a quick swing pass to the left side ... Duffy outraced former Golden Eagles teammate DE Chris Lewis for the score.

Lewis looks like he gained weight since his suspension last season. Not all of it was good weight. He's improved since the start of spring practice, though.

-- The defense adjusted to that swing pass Duffy scored on. ... Sonny McCree wrapped Duffy up for about a 4-yard loss.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bear Pascoe got back in as the first team off. takes the field with Colburn at QB ... and boom, the ball goes to Bear who does a bear thing, trucking CB A.J. Jefferson. He had no shot at Pascoe, who lowered his shoulders nicely on that one for a 10-yard gain.

also on this drive, Mathews picked up his two longest runs of the day ... a 7-yarder with Kinter as the lead back and a 15-yard gain after a missed tackle.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Dogs lost both their starting kicker and punter this season. Redshirt freshman Kevin Goessling is the placekicker for the fall ... Soph. Robert Malone is the punter.

Goessling just went 4-6 on FGs. He hit his first three. The first two were from 40 yards ... the third I didnt see. He was short from 51 yards and from 50. A 48-yarder bounced off the cross bar ... GOOD

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dont know if I've seen an I formation yet ... the Dogs have shown lot of 3 and 4 wr sets so far .... just like last year....

The WRs seem to ahve a pretty steady rotation flowing in and out of the game ... I don't know how well Chastin West will play this fall. That will be a boost to the Dogs if they can get him back healthy for those end arounds. Ajirotutu has made some catches this spring,

FB Reynard Camp ... aka Big Nasty ... don't know if he's seen the field yet. And he

Just like Pat Hill said in an interview this week tho, they'll use a lot of 3 wr sets this season ... he said the preconceived notion that the Dogs run the ball all the time from I formation is wrong.

Ryan Skidmore, a backup TE, just took a hit after a big gain .... it looked like he could have fumbled. if this was game action, they'd definitely be reviewing in the booth.

Skidmore was slow getting up, but then jogged it back to the huddle...

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It took the Bulldogs a long time in 07 and forever in 06 to get an interception, but Damion Owens just collected the BUlldogs first in the spring scrimmage ... off Ryan COlburn who was playing with the first offense. ...

TB and Bear Pascoe have not renentered after that first drive .... TB has the headset on ... I was definitely hoping to see more of the full first offense.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I saw Nick Bates go out for first team defense, I assumed he had passed Brown in the depth chart. But Brown wasn't out for second team defense either ... or third ....

I'm wondering where he is ...

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

TB (Brandstater, this is a blog and I type slowly so we're goign to use abbreviations now) connected with Seyi fior abotu a four-yard pass touchdown in teh south endzone to complete teh first drive. the run didn't work too well for yards, but the pass did. The defense picked up a pass interference too.

Kyle Duffy just scored on a 44-yard run foer the second team offense... Clovis West representing once again.

Things haven't gone too well for third string QB Matt Faulkner. He threw an INT on his first attempt in 7-on-7 drills and almost threw a second oen laster on.

Now in full scrimmage, his team is commiting penalties. ... and the runs aren't working ....

They just ran a draw up the middle on 3 and 13 from inside the 15. ... I guess there's not goign to be any risk taking, even in practice.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The starters on the off. line in this first drive have been, R-L:

Kenny Avon
Andrew Jackson
Adam McDowell
Charley Robbins
Kenny Wiggins

This position group has played musical chairs over the past two seasons bc of injury or suspension (Kyle Young back in 06.)
The biggest deal this season will be McDowell making the move to center in place of Joe Bernardi who injured his knee last season ... I think it was in the bowl game if I remember correctly.

Run blocking so far has been ...

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ryan Mathews has gone nowhere in his first two handoffs ... Jon Monga, a senior dlinemen who's expected to be play a big part for the defense this season, caught him in teh backfield with a host of other Bulldogs ....

Mathews got the start over Lonyae Miller who entyered afterwards ....

brandstater has hit two receivers for huge pass plays.
Marlon Moore on the first for abotu 20 yards and Seyi Ajirotutu on a second play for about 45 yards .... Owens tried to jump theroute but missed, leading to a long gain after the catch.

The run has really been stifled so far ... but TB's shown he can move the ofefnse when the offense isn't running effectively.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Dogs are starting it off slowly this spring ... with 7 on 7 drills. Db's and LB's versus the offense's passing game in third down situations.

On the first snap, quarterback Tom Brandstater hit Marlon Moore over the middle for a long completion.
Brandstater's going to have to be great this season if the Dogs want to pull off a BCS run.

The starting defense that came out was :
Weakside LB: Nick Bates
MLB: Ben Jacobs
Strsongside LB: Nico Herron

Bates got one start last season ... Quaadir Brown got eight ... Senior Trevor Shamblee got two ... I'll try and figure out y Shamblee started those last two games of the season instead of Brown ...

DBs:
Damion Owens and AJ Jefferson at CB and Jake Jorde and Moses Harris at safety. Marvin Haynes, from Fresno, has been sittign otu this spring with a groin injury.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The first thing you notice when you look at the Bulldog Stadium field is ... there's not much grass.
The Bulldogs practice field looks better than this.
The center of the field, where the Bulldog was painted in the fall, is nearly all dirt. The endzones are splotchy. The south side of the field looks particularly bad in the middle .... They'll have to figure something out before the home opener Sept. 13 against Wisconsin.

The season starts at Rutgers on Sept 1.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OK Bulldog fans,

I'll be blogging the entire spring game and I'll be getting some postgame video interviews to post by Sunday morning to give a little extra access.

This should be pretty fun. It's nice outside, 68 degrees with a breeze. The girls are out ... I caught a guy staring hard through his sunglasses at a group of college girls that walked by near the open concession stands. (Here's a tip fellas: The shades hide your eyes, but if you turn your entire upper torso to stare, you might as well take the glasses off.)

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The Web site Nationalchamps.net has the Fresno State football team at No. 23 in its preseason rankings released Wednesday.

Boise State, which sets up to be the Bulldogs' biggest competition for the Western Athletic Conference title this season, is ranked No. 25. Ohio State is No. 1.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

CollegeFootballNews.com mentions the Fresno State football team in a flattering light in its Big Ten team-by-team schedule breakdown.

For its entry on Wisconsin -- which visits Fresno State on Sept. 13 -- the Web site had this to say:

"As insane as this might sound, considering Michigan might be down and the Badgers get two weeks to prepare for the trip to Ann Arbor (as do the Wolverines) the real early problem could be the September 13th trip to face a fired up and very good Fresno State."

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This morning's St. Louis Post-Dispatch is quoting St. Louis Rams team sources as saying that Doug Nussmeier, the Rams' quarterbacks coach the past two seasons, is headed for Fresno State to become offensive coordinator.

The newspaper, in an earlier report, said the Rams would replace Nussmeier as quarterbacks coach with Terry Shea, but wasn’t clear on Nussmeier’s status.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

It's official, Jim McElwain is leaving for Alabama and Fresno State will be searching for its third offensive coordinator in three seasons.

Alabama officials announced McElwain's hiring early this morning in a statement.

"Jim is a phenomenal coach and we are thrilled to have him on board," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban in the news release. "He did an outstanding job last year at Fresno State. Their improvement on offense, especially in the play of their quarterback, was tremendous."

McElwain turned down the head coaching job at Eastern Washington earlier this month, but Alabama calling was a different situation.

"I'm excited as heck about the opportunity to join the staff at the University of Alabama," McElwain said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and I'm ready to hit the ground running as soon as I arrive in Tuscaloosa. Coach Saban and his staff have the Alabama football program on the rise and I want to do my part to continue that momentum. I'm leaving a great place at Fresno State and appreciate all that Coach [Pat] Hill, the players, the staff, and the fans did for me and my family while we were there."

Saban contacted Hill last week, asking permission to speak with McElwain.

According to reports, he interviewed in Alabama on Monday.

Posted by Daniel Lyght at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The Fresno State offense gained nearly 600 yards and the defense held strong after allowing a touchdown on the first possession of the game as the Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-4 record and a 40-28 Humanitarian Bowl victory over an Atlantic Coast Conference team in Georgia Tech.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State's Jake Jorde intercepted a Georgia Tech pass on its first play from scrimmage with less than 1:30 to go and Fresno State appears to be on its way to a Humanitarian Bowl victory.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Clifton Smith scored on a 32-yard run with 1:50 left in the game to seal the game for Fresno State. The score gives Fresno State a 40-28 lead. A 2-point try failed.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With a 6-point lead and the clock under 3 minutes, Clifton Smith is pounding the Georgia Tech defense for sizable gains and helping Fresno State hang on to its lead.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State's fumble deep in Georgia Tech territory didn't cost the Bulldogs any more than the lost points as they held the Yellow Jackets after one first down and forced a punt.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Marlon Moore, lined up in the backfield, took a handoff at the Georgia Tech 6-yard line and had the ball stripped. The Yellow Jackets recovered at the 1 to douse Fresno State's scoring drive.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Georgia Tech quarterback Calvin Booker, under pressure from Tyler Clutts, threw the ball up for grabs into the end zone on 3rd-and-19 from the Fresno State 20, and 6-foot-4 receiver D.J. Donley came up with the catch between two Fresno State defenders to pull the Yellow Jackets within 34-28 with 13:06 left in the game.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Georgia Tech, after holding Fresno State without a first down, forced a punt and blocked Kyle Zimmerman's effort, recovering the ball at Fresno State's 35-yard line.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jonathan Dwyre scored from the 3-yard line with 2:11 left in the third quarter to pull Georgia Tech within 34-21. Dwyre's score followed a pass-interference penalty on Fresno State's Sharrod Davis in the end zone.

Up to the penalty, Fresno State's defense had held the Yellow Jackets deep in Bulldog terriroty. On 1st-and-goal from the 2, Marcus Riley stuffed the running play for a 3-yard loss. On 2nd-and-goal from the 5, Sharrod Davis drilled scrambling quarterback Calvin Booker. Then came the pass-interference penalty to set up Dwyre's TD.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State senior cornerback Damon Jenkins, while providing solid coverage, has dropped two catchable interceptions so far today.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State quaterback Tom Brandstater scrambled 24 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 34-14 lead over Georgia Tech with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

The Fresno State offensive line has not allowed a sack today against one of the best sacking defenses in the nation. And Brandstater's mobility has gotten him out of trouble.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jonathan Dwyer scored on a 36-yard run to pull Georgia Tech within 27-14 with 9:59 left in the third quarter. It was the Yellow Jackets' first score since the opening drive.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State senior running back Clifton Smith went untouched on a 43-yard touchdown sprint off left tackle. The touchdown gave Fresno State a 27-7 lead with 13:29 left in the third quarter.

Tom Brandstater's scramble on 3rd-and-4 kept the drive alive.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Avery Roberson, a Georgia Tech defensive back, was knocked out of the game after a helmet-to-helmet hit with Fresno State running back Anthony Harding.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State received the kickoff to open the second half, leading 20-7 over Georgia Tech.

The Bulldogs outgained the Yellow Jackets in the first half, 286 total yards to 183.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State kicker Clint Stitser connected on a 39-yard field as time expired in the first half. The field goal gave Fresno State a 20-7 lead.

The Bulldogs forced Georgia Tech to turn the ball over on downs and used a quick three-play drive to get within field-goal distance.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Georgia Tech is trying to run its 2-minute drill and score before the end of the half. Fresno State's secondary has played well, not allowing a long connection since the first drive.

With 15 seconds to go, Georgia Tech is forced to turn over the ball on downs when Fresno State's Tyler Clutts sacks the quarterback on fourth down.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tom Brandstater hit Drew Lubinsky on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 1:54 left in the first half to take a 17-7 lead.

Brandstater connected with Lubinsky, a junior tight end, on 3rd-and-goal.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A long, zig-zagging run by Fresno State senior tailback Clifton Smith has the Bulldogs at Georgia Tech's 39 and threatening to score.

A pass along the left side from Tom Brandstater to Seyi Ajiritutu put Fresno State at the Yellow Jackets' 4.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Bulldogs forced a punt and have the ball deep in their own territory, after an illegal formation penalty negated a big Georgia Tech gain on a fake punt.

But the Bulldogs were pushed deep because of a personal foul penalty on the punt.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State receiver Marlon Moore, lined up in the backfield, scored on a pitchout to the left side from 6 yards out to give the Fresno State football team a 10-7 lead over Georgia Tech with 10:55 left in the first half of the Humanitarian Bowl.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Clint Stitser kicked a 21-yard field goal with 4:02 left in the first quarter to pull Fresno State to within 7-3 against Georgia Tech.

The Bulldogs had three tries to score a touchdown from the Georgia Tech 5-yard line but couldn't get in.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On its opening drive of the Humanitarian Bowl, Georgia Tech takes a 7-0 lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Bennett to Demaryius Thomas.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

El Diamante leads Tulare 35-7 at halftime on four Earl Rhodes touchdown runs in front of 6,500 people at a packed Visalia’s Community Stadium on Friday in the Central Section Division II football championship game.

Tulare had the ball at midfield with 15 seconds left in the first half. Tried a fourth-down flea-flicker pass by Jake Rufert that was intercepted by Justin Jeffries.

In Bakersfield in the Division I final, Clovis West leads Bakersfield 9-6.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 8:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State football is eligible for a bowl game. When, where and the opponent is the question. Give us your predictions for postseason action...

Posted by John Mincks at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresno State has 478 total yards with 12:53 left in the game to set a season high. The previous high was 475 against both Sacramento State and Nevada.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Anthony Harding bulled in from 8 yards out to give Fresno State a 45-21 lead with 2:36 left in the third quarter. The drive started at Fresno State's 29 and ate up more than 5 minutes.

Posted by Robert Zizzo at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Still in the third quarter, Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater already has a career high in passing yardage with 278. His previous high was 263 against Boise State this season.