Fresno State has as much of a chance to prove its legitimacy Saturday as Oregon does. After easily topping Weber State 55-17 last Saturday, the No. 23 Bulldogs return to Autzen Stadium for the first time in three years and could steal a win from the Ducks if their offense picks up where it left off a week ago.
Unlike Oregon, whose rushing attack has become questionable following the past two games, Fresno State runs the ball with authority. The Bulldogs simply get it done on the ground. In last week’s win over the Wildcats, Fresno State’s tandem of senior tailbacks Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin accounted for 145 rushing yards.
Mathis grinded out 77 of those yards and three touchdowns and Sumlin finished with 68 yards. Most importantly, Fresno State’s tailbacks provided balance for senior quarterback Paul Pinegar, who was a dead-eye in the pocket, completing 14 of his 18 passes totaling 189 yards in just one half of play. Pinegar connected with wideouts Adam Jennings and Jaron Fairman for two touchdown passes, both longer than 25 yards.
Fresno State’s defense played soundly as well, forcing an early turnover on the heels of Mathis’ first touchdown run. Tyrone Culver made an interception on Weber State’s first offensive play setting up Pinegar’s touchdown pass to Fairman seven seconds later.
Victory at a price
On the last play of the third quarter in last week’s win over the Wildcats, senior defensive end Garrett McIntyre of Fresno State was carted off of the field after suffering a leg injury. McIntyre entered the season as a preseason favorite to earn Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Many happy returns
Fresno State’s punt-return team had a field day with the Wildcats, who had their hands full trying to contain third-string tailback Clifton Smith. Smith racked up a school record 189 yards and two touchdowns on punt returns. Smith struck first in the second quarter, blazing through the center of Weber State’s punt coverage team and finding the endzone 92 yards later. Smith found daylight again in the third quarter as he broke through a slew of would-be tacklers en route to an 84-yard return for his second touchdown of the game.
Take to the air
The Bulldog’s biggest and perhaps only weakness is its pass defense. Fresno State’s secondary may have been the 13th best in the nation in yards surrendered per game, but Weber State had success passing the ball last week. Quarterback Ian Pizarro of the Wildcats went 23-42 for 261 yards and threw two touchdown passes against the Bulldogs. One could attribute the mediocre game by Fresno State’s secondary to first-game jitters, but three of the Bulldogs’ four defensive backs are returning starters, including two upper-classmen. Oregon’s newly acquired spread offense could be primed to wreak aerial havoc on the visiting pride of the San Jouquin Valley.
Elusive success
Fresno State may have a reputation as a spoiler, given its 10-6 record against BCS opponents in its last 16 meetings, but since 2001 the Bulldogs have twice ended their season as bridesmaids of the WAC. After notching an early upset victory over a BCS team, the Bulldogs have had to watch Boise State take home the WAC title. With two early season losses having already been dealt to Boise State, a conference crown is within reach of the Bulldogs.
Success gives way to expectations and with Fresno State returning 15 starters from a team that went 9-3 last year, a season with fewer than nine wins will be considered a disappointment. Fresno State head coach Pat Hill continues to carve a contender out of his squad and a win at Autzen Stadium could help his cause immensely.

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