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Fresno St: Scrappy "David" Awaits Goliath This Saturday

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by TejasTiger, Nov 14, 2005.

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TejasTiger Founding Member

I'm down with Pat Hill, having liked the guy for years due to his no-nonsense attitude and his "anywhere, anytime" approach to playing BCS teams.

It may be all hot air---or pure, true piss and vinegar---but these guys are calling out the Trojans.

Ballsy, to say the least.

Here's a recent article from the Fresno Bee (registration) that sums up what I keep reading about this team:

Bulldogs, fans call for Trojans
Talk quickly turns to next week's long-shot bid.

By Andy Boogaard / The Fresno Bee

(Updated Friday, November 11, 2005, 5:15 AM)

Are you excited about the big game between the Fresno State Bulldogs and USC Trojans on Nov. 19? Can the Bulldogs pull off the big upset?
REDDOG said: There is no doubt that USC should be ranked number 1, there is no doubt that USC has some of...
[Join the talk!]

In the end, many from the near-record crowd of 42,781 remained at Bulldog Stadium, chanting "beat S.C., beat S.C., beat S.C."

Likewise, many Fresno State players didn't want to leave Thursday night.

They were on the top of their games, at the pinnacle of their careers, having scored a thunderous reversal, winning 27-7 against a Boise State team that had owned the Bulldogs for four years.

And, finally, it was fitting that quarterback Paul Pinegar was the last of the Bulldogs to leave, strutting through the red-and-white checkered end zone, up the ramp and aiming south — figuratively, at least, toward the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

It is there on Nov. 19 that the senior quarterback will arrive in a wonderful rhythm to oppose No. 1 USC, the nation's two-time defending champion.

"Paul has come from the valley of death, he's risen up in a big game when his team really needed it, and that's an awesome thing for him," said Boise State coach Dan Hawkins, speaking on a first-name basis as if the nationally ranked quarterback were his own.

More importantly, Pinegar and his teammates feel good about themselves.

Yes, with the mighty Trojans looming, it's a good idea to have your house in order.

"We're clicking," said Pinegar after passing for 307 yards and two touchdowns in a 513-yard offensive assault. "We've got playmakers. We've got guys who can score with the ball."

Then, he added: "I've just got to get the ball in their hands and give them a chance."

That's the thought with which the Bulldogs departed soggy Jim Sweeney Field: They have a chance against USC, even if no one else outside of their locker room will give them one.

"No, nobody will," junior cornerback Marcus McCauley said. "But all we need is us, and that's what we got right here, the city of Fresno."

The Bulldogs are confident, and it doesn't appear to be phony.

Center Kyle Young, who said he believes he would start for the Trojans if he played for them, didn't leave much for debate: "We can beat anybody in the nation, that's just how it is."

Fresno State, ranked 20th, has won seven straight since losing 37-34 at No. 11 Oregon in a game the Bulldogs led 17-0.

Offensively, featuring Pinegar and wide receiver Paul Williams, they made plays against Boise State befitting the ESPN cameras. Defensively, they held the Broncos to their lowest scoring output in six years, spanning 85 games. And, on special teams, they delivered licks that resonated throughout an already loud stadium.

But this was only Boise State, only the program that had produced 31 consecutive WAC victories while winning three championships.

Now USC.

"We're playing good, but we're going to have to step it up to another level for S.C." defensive tackle Louis Leonard said. "I think we can play with anybody in the nation right now, but we're going to have to play assignment perfect against S.C."

And the Bulldogs weren't Thursday night. Almost, but not quite. And this matters with the Trojans on deck.

"We didn't get in from the 1-yard line once and we missed a field goal," said wide receiver Adam Jennings, peeking south.

"We'll definitely have to savor all the points we can. I mean, I know they can score."

That's the question, and it was presented to Broncos coach Hawkins, the neutral observer: Can the Bulldogs score with USC?

"Wow," he said. "I don't know about that."
Click to expand...

I also like this excerpt from a 2003 article:

"I came to Fresno State to bring big time football to the San Joaquin Valley... we are not going to make excuses, we are going to do everything we can even if it means that we have to go on the road and play every BCS team on the planet - we'll do it."
Click to expand...

Kickoff is 9:15 this Saturday on Fox Sports Network.

TejasTiger, Nov 14, 2005

#1
blindside517 Founding Member

this team isnt scared of usc at all.....and they will give them a game....go bulldogs!

blindside517, Nov 14, 2005

#2
RedElephants Founding Member

FSU will win...Mark it down.

RedElephants, Nov 14, 2005

#3
donut2001 Founding Member

I wish I was as confident as you, but hey, go Fresno!

donut2001, Nov 14, 2005

#4
DarkHornet Louisiana Sports Fan

I don't know if Fresno will be able to pull it off, but I'm pretty sure they'll make Herbstreit look stupid when he predicts that USC is on a roll and Fresno won't be able to touch them.

DarkHornet, Nov 14, 2005

#5
TejasTiger Founding Member

Fresno State forum (only one I could find):

http://mb11.scout.com/ffresnostatefrm1

TejasTiger, Nov 14, 2005

#6
RedElephants Founding Member

It's the best D the Trojans have seen...Also, I think their O has enough to exploit USC's weak D.

RedElephants, Nov 14, 2005

#7
RedElephants Founding Member

TejasTiger said:

Fresno State forum (only one I could find):

http://mb11.scout.com/ffresnostatefrm1
Click to expand...

Ewww...I HATE those formats!

Tigerforums is how you do it! :thumb:

RedElephants, Nov 14, 2005

#8
kcal Founding Member

Maybe if Jupiter and Mars line up FSU has a chance, but unfortunately I don't think a team from a watered down mid major conference is going to stay with USC , will prolly wind up about like USC/ASU.

kcal, Nov 14, 2005

#9
RedElephants Founding Member

kcal said:

a watered down mid major conference .
Click to expand...

Hmmm...I thought that's what the Pac10 was? :rofl:

RedElephants, Nov 14, 2005

#10

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