Paul Pinegar may be the best quarterback you’ve never heard of.

Quietly, Fresno State’s four-year starter has positioned himself to become the first quarterback in NCAA history to lead his team to four consecutive bowl-game victories. He became the seventh quarterback in NCAA history to win three bowl games after leading the Bulldogs past Georgia Tech in 2002, UCLA in 2003 and Virginia in 2004. Pinegar was named the MPC Computers Bowl’s Most Valuable Player last season after throwing a bowl-record five touchdown passes in the overtime victory.
“Paul is a proven winner,” Fresno State head coach Pat Hill said. “He will be the key for us this season, no doubt about it. Paul has won a lot of big-time games for us, and he’s won in hostile environments like Washington and Kansas State. He won’t be rattled. He’s a leader and a winner.”
A winner is a good way to describe Pinegar. He has won 75 percent of the games he’s started, including a 6-3 record against Bowl Championship Series opponents. If he reaches his three-year average of 2,267 yards this season, he will rank among the top 50 passing yardage leaders in NCAA history.
He currently ranks sixth in passing yards at Fresno State and is fifth on the school’s career list for total offense. His 56 career touchdown passes rank fourth all-time at Fresno State, but with 15 touchdown passes this season, Pinegar will own the school record for career touchdown passes.
– Luke Andrews

Cornerback Aaron Gipson has shown every side of his game, both good and bad, since becoming the first true freshman in more than 20 years to start at cornerback for Oregon. Gipson has defended a number of talented players including former wideouts Mike Williams of Southern California and Braylon Edwards of Michigan. As a freshman he endured a trial by fire but showed his potential by picking off two UCLA passes, earning team defensive honors.
Now as a senior, Gipson has become one of the defensive line’s most consistent players as a cover corner. He has an interception in each of the first two games and six tackles this year, one for a four-yard loss. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti has noted the exceptional play of Gipson and that he has improved into a reliable cornerback.
“I think that Aaron is playing at a high level,” Bellotti said. “He came in and, forced into playing as a true freshman with limited success, it cost him some confidence going into his sophomore season, but he continued to contribute. This year he is playing with confidence and impressiveness. I was comfortable with how he played last week, and overall, I’m impressed with him.”
Gipson faces his biggest test so far this season as he will try to shut down Fresno State’s passing attack and get his hands on some of quarterback Paul Pinegar’s passes. Fresno State thrives on play action, which should keep Gipson on his toes, having to both drop into coverage and contribute on run support.
The senior is well on his way for his defensive goal: 10 interceptions and to win the Thorpe Award, honoring the nation’s top defensive back.
– Scott J. Adams