Their resume is long and distinguished. They command more respect than any other non-BCS school. And they have 29 wins since 2001, sixth-best in the nation. But don’t tell them that.
The Fresno State Bulldogs, the odds on favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference, have a chip on their collective shoulder and if Oregon isn’t prepared, the Ducks will become the next in a long list of Bulldog victories over major conference opponents.
Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti, who has guided the Ducks to three consecutive wins over the Bulldogs, knows the challenge that a Fresno State team brings.
“The type of young men they bring in there are tough, physical and feel as if they have something to prove,” Bellotti said.
That attitude has enabled the Bulldogs to 10 wins over BCS schools since 2001, the most of any non-BCS school.
“This is a physical football team that plays well, that knows how to win, that prides itself on going into other people’s houses and winning games,” Bellotti said. “We have to make sure that we are not a very good host.”
The Ducks, who are in the middle of a three-game home stand, are focused on shutting down the run. While Fresno State works through a “traditional” offense, the Bulldogs aren’t afraid to run the ball. Running backs Bryson Sumlin and Dwayne Wright have each rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season each, while Wendell Mathis was only five yards short of 1,000 on the ground.
“They are content to run the ball eight or 10 or 11 times in a row,” Bellotti said. “It has been very efficient, very effective and they are putting up a lot of points.”
Sumlin rushed for 1,104 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, while Wright racked up 1,038 in 2003 before a season-ending knee injury sidelined him last year. Mathis, a transfer from UCLA, scored 12 touchdowns and led the WAC with a 6.9 yards per rush average last season.
“I think we have one of the best groups of running backs in Fresno State history,” head coach Pat Hill said. “As a group, we have a lot of speed and power and I think we have some toughness. Running the football will be important for our success and we have some guys who can really carry the load.”
Thrown into the backfield at times is Clifton Smith, who returned two punts for touchdowns during a 55-17 victory over Weber State last week.
Mathis rushed for three touchdowns, while quarterback Paul Pinegar was 14 of 18 for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
The veteran signal caller recorded his 25th victory as a starter and if the Bulldogs win a bowl game this season, Pinegar will become the first quarterback to win a bowl game in each of his four seasons.
The Ducks own a 3-2 edge in the series over Fresno State. The average margin of victory for Oregon in the last three games is 3.3 points. In their last meeting, Oregon edged Fresno State 28-24, and the Ducks won overtime games by a combined seven points in 1996 and 1997.
“I guarantee they are going to bring their A-game,” Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “Fresno State is one of the most dangerous teams ever in September. They are giant killers.”
Perhaps the best non-Pac-10 team on the West Coast, there has been a ripple of talk about the conference expanding, and Fresno State would be an ideal fit according to Bellotti.
“They are of the same caliber of many of the teams we play in the Pac-10,” Bellotti said. “They’ve done a great job of sealing the valley, in terms of recruiting and getting wide spread support there. I think they are a very good football program.”
Hill has guided the Bulldogs to six consecutive bowl appearances, a school-record 11 wins in 2001, produced at least one All-American in six of the last seven years and has the team riding a seven-game winning streak.
Oregon is preparing with the same intensity as it always does, but getting one week extra to practice for a conference-type opponent.
“Fresno State is certainly the most complete team that we’ve played so far,” Bellotti said. “They have team speed across the board. Their defense is opportunistic and can create turnovers. Their offense can run the ball and score quickly via the big play. And special teams – which might be the scariest – they can take it back on a punt return or kickoff and can really change the complexion of the game.”
Defensively the Ducks have allowed an average of 19 points and 278 total yards per game, but the real challenge might come when Oregon has the ball. The running game has struggled so far this season, averaging only 146.5 yards on 37 attempts per game. Establishing the run early is a focus for Bellotti.
“That is a huge goal this week and one of the things we are emphasizing,” Bellotti said.
Starting running back Terrence Whitehead has gained only 67 rushing yards this season, but frustration has turned into motivation.
“I’m still trying to adjust to the offense and run the ball better,” Whitehead said. “I’m getting enough carries. I just need to make the most of when I do get the ball.
“Winning is the bottom line and that comes with scoring – that’s my concern. We are winning, and that’s the main thing. That’s the goal.”
The Ducks have also been stagnant in the red zone this season. Despite 14 trips inside the 20-yard line, Oregon has come away with only five touchdowns. However, kicker Paul Martinez, who made a school-record six field goals last week, has connected on seven field goals when the Ducks have sputtered inside the red zone.
“I don’t think six field goals will beat Fresno State,” Bellotti said. “We need to score more points.”

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