A West side Story: The Rise of the Fresno State Bulldogs!!

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BULLDOG NATION

TURNING IT ON

BULLDOGS LOOK TO TURN IT ON AS CONFERENCE PLAY STARTS
Dogs set for their first Mountain West Conference Tilt against San Diego State
-- A 4-0 start, a tough aggressive defense, and are inching closer to cracking the top 25. The Fresno State Bulldogs couldn't ask for a better transition since hiring new coach Robert Goss. "They're getting better every week."says Goss. "But we know we can't just show up as we found out at Tulsa last week, it's gonna take 60 minutes to get the job done. Entering conference play several Bulldogs are a top the conference statistically, but its warranted having played less than stellar competition with the exception of Oregon.

--ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE--
The Aztecs are 2-2 and coming off a 23-20 win over San Jose State a week ago. Injuries have hurt the offensive unit as key starters (QB) Troy Estes and (WR) Tony Simmons won't make the trip. They are led defensively by middle linebacker Mario Lewis who leads the team with 33 tackles, the defensive unit isn't bad giving just over 300 yards per game (316.2) good for fifth in the MWC

TOP STORIES

• Conference plays starts against Aztecs
• Washington earns MWC defensive player of the week
• Kelly learning each day
• Bulldogs welcoming 5 for visits this weekend
• Coach Goss weekly presser

NEXT 3 GAMES

• 9-29 vs SAN DIEGO STATE
• 10-6 AT COLORADO STATE
• 10-13 AT #10 BOISE STATE

LAST 3 GAMES

• AT TULSA (W) 27-22
• VS COLORADO (W) 30-0
• AT OREGON (W) 44-41

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ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY PRESENTED BY HOME DEPOT

SEEING RED!
HUSKER'S PLAY HOST TO BADGERS
By Desmond Howard
ESPN.COM
Lincoln, Neb -- Gameday is headed to Lincoln Nebraska for the big match up with Nebraska and Wisconsin. Last year the Badgers were too much for the Husker's, they had momentum they had home field and they had Russell Wilson. This year it seems as if both teams are equally similar. The Badgers are 4th in the nation in rushing yards per game. The Huskers are 6th. Both teams have very good defenses with the Badgers ranked 4th and the Huskers ranked 7th. Whats gonna give. Seeing red could help he Badgers but hearing red could lead the Husker's. Both teams are 4-0, the Husker's have a chance to avenge last seasons blow out loss in this one and take a claim as to being one of the top teams in the land. Should be a great battle.

TOP 25

1. OKLAHOMA 3-0
2. USC 4-0
3. FLORIDA STATE 4-0
4. ARKANSAS 4-0
5. WEST VIRGINIA 3-0
6. ALABAMA 3-1
7. WISCONSIN 4-0
8. GEORGIA 3-1
9. KANSAS STATE 3-1
10. BOISE STATE
11. SOUTH CAROLINA 3-1
12. CLEMSON 3-1
13. NEBRASKA 4-0
14. NOTRE DAME 4-0
15. OREGON 3-1
16. TEXAS 3-0
17. OKLAHOMA STATE 3-0
18. LSU 2-2
19. MICHIGAN 2-2
20. MISSOURI 4-0
21. STANFORD 2-1
22. WASHINGTON 3-0
23. VIRGINIA 4-0
24. AUBURN 3-1
25. MICHIGAN STATE 2-2

Weekend Watch


By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com

Here are five things to watch this weekend:



1. CAN #4 ARKANSAS KEEP THE MOMENTUM HEADING INTO KYLE FIELD?
The Aggies are 3-1 and more importantly 1-0 in SEC play, they took Arkansas to the wire last season on the road and now have a chance to win the biggest game to date in this classic rivalry. Razorback pivot Nate Davis is among one of the elite signal callers in the country he's avg just below 300 yards passing per game (295.2) A good day from him can mean victory for pig soowiii.


2. Can the Longhorns stop the Cowboys pass attack?
Despite being 3-0 and ranked 16th the Longhorns have had some inconsistency in the defensive backfield, Ole Miss passe for over 300 yards and in a route over New Mexico the Longhorns allowed 400 total yards of offense. The Cowboys have the fourth best passing attack in the country (347.3) along with the #8 defense in the land. The Longhorns will need to quiet the crowd early and disrupt passing lanes to prevail.


3. Michigan State backed into a wall.
A loss could really hurt the Spartans who had Big 12 aspirations to start the season. Home losses to Notre Dame and Boise State have given them a loss of confidence and today they face a 3-1 Ohio State team who seems to be gaining momentum. Can the Spartans turn their season around?


4. The #3 Seminoles could be walking into a trap at South Florida.
At 2-2 the South Florida Bulls dont look to be a match for the mighty Seminoles but thats what instills trap games. The Seminoles are coming off back to back hard fought wins and fatigue may be settling in. Watch this game closely.


5. Huskies try to make their move.
The Huskies may have had the biggest upset this season when they went into baton Rouge a few weeks ago and slapped LSU around the field. Now at 3-0 coming off a bye they get a chance to do it to Stanford at home. Stanford too is coming off a by week after losing a tough one to USC. For both teams this could be a make or break game.

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STARTING STRONG
BULLDOGS GRAB FIVE INTERCEPTIONS EN ROUTE TO WIN IN CONFERENCE PLAY

Fresno State 24, San Diego State 3

Cornerback D. Robinson picks off Aztec quarterback J. Kilpatrick during Saturday's game.

FRESNO, CA -- Bill Wright rushed for 177 yards and a career-long 94-yard touchdown run as Fresno State held off a San Diego State 24-3

The Bulldogs (5-0, 1-0 MWC) jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half, but the offense became real stagnant during the third in fourth quarters despite the defense grabbing 5 interceptions and seven sacks.
Sophomore Chase Kelly, who was making his third career start with junior quarterback Leon Thompson out, finished 9 of 17 for 124 yards and one touchdown,
Linebackers Chase Allen and Tim Washington grabbed 1.5 sacks a piece while corner J. Wood took his interception 23 yards to the house to solidify the victory late in the fourth quarter.
"It was a good victory for us." Goss said during the post game press conference. "We did enough to get the win offensively, but I feel our defense has turned the curve, they are playing at a high level right now."

Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip to Ft. Collins to take on the undefeated Colorado State Rams who are 5-0.

Photo Gallery

Spoiler

	1	2	3	4	F
Fresno State	7	3	0	14	24
SDSU	0	0	0	3	3

Quick Stats	FS	SDSU
Total Yards	264	154
Passing Yards	124	122
Rushing Yards	140	32
First Downs	7	8
Turnovers	0	5
Penalties - Yards	5-45	4-40
3rd Down Conversions	2-8	2-8
4th Down Conversions	0-0	0-0
Sacks	7	3
Time of Possession	11:44	12:18

Statistical Leaders - Fresno
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
C. Kelly	9-17	124	1/0	59
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
B. Wright	14	177	1	94
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
R. Fernandez	3	26	0	11
W. Baker	2	59	1	59
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
D. Robinson	7	0	0	1
C. Allen	5	1.5	2	0
T Washington	4	1.5	3	0

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL


POPCORNED!! BADGERS STILL THE BIG BULLY
By Rece Davis
ESPN.com

LINCOLN, NEB-- Every phase of the game was dominated by the Badgers who belittled the corn huskers in front the sold out crowd in Lincoln Nebraska. C. Harris rushed for two scores while the golden arm of A. Golden tossed 3 touchdown passes. Nebraska was equally worse on offense going 4-16 on third downs while fumbling a ball away and throwing away another. Nebraska is a good team but they just dont have the big boys that a team in the Big Ten conference to compete, until then keep expecting this outcome.


TOP 25 HEADLINES

• Seminoles survive trap game with USF 28-23
• Davis throws Arkansas to victory over A&M 34-24
• Barbers huge day at wide out helps Vols to upset of Georgia
• Bama too much for Rebels
• 44 yard field goal as time expires get Mizzou past Central Florida 27-24
• Cowboys no match Longhorns Defense
• Sparty defends home vs Buckeyes 24-17
• LSU shows no mercy to FCS SE 52-7
• Huskies squander opportunity on national stage falling to Stanford 35-26

Three weekend observations


By Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com




1. Nebraska and Washington both at home had a huge opportunity to put their university on the national stage. Instead they both look like teams we expected and had no chance to win this weekend. In order to become that team you need to show week in and week out that you can get up and play at the highest of levels and right now those schools just dont have that type of player on their rosters. Of course you can say the win for the Huskies over LSU put them on that stage but LSU has lost again since. As for Nebraska its a recruiting thing, they just dont have the big ten type of athletes on thier roster yet.





2. Arkansas Nate Davis is proving to the country that he may be just as good or better than USC's Chance Waller. His 17-2 touchdown to interception ratio is best in the NCAA. He beat the national champ in Alabama and doesnt look to slow down.





3.Here's to hoping teams like Florida State, Mizzou and even Virginia keep up the fight. All undefeated, all have been in tightly contested battles this year and all keep finding that edge to win. If history is true these teams will fall, but who first?

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BULLDOG NATION

MOVING AHEAD
FRESNO STATE LOOKS TO STAY UNDEFEATED IN CONFERENCE PLAY

Next Up @ Colorado State (5-0) 10-6-2012 2pm

Bulldogs lead the MWC in Sacks with 31

FRESNO, CA -- Upon walking through the fence to view practice, there's one thing evident. If you mess up a drill you will be disciplined. Senior Running back Bill Wright, who is coming off a 177 yard performance against San Diego State last week fumbled a ball during inside run on Tuesday's practice. Instead of doing up downs or push ups, coach Robert Goss sent the whole offense around the track and started the drill over.
"He wants perfection." Said Wright who spoke to Bulldog Nation after practice. "I respect that. He's trying to instil that in us. Im a senior in terms a veteran, I should never have those types of mental lapses."
The Bulldogs who are suprisingly 4-0 right now face another team who is over achieving in Colorado State who sits at 5-0. This game is even bigger because #9 Boise looms the next week.
"I work them because I want them to understand it only gets tougher from here on out. Teams will be playing their best football now that they got games under their belt. Over looking a good Colorado State team will bite us in the butt." Goss eagerly said. Defensively however the Bulldogs are one of the best in country ranked #8 in terms of overall stats. If they can keep playing at a high level I expect them to move ahead this week.

--COLORADO STATE--
The Rams could pose a tough challenge for the Bulldogs, averaging almost 200 yards on the ground (193.6) and 220 in the air the Bulldogs better be ready. Quarterback D. Morris is highly efficient and has thrown 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Running back D. Edwards really makes this offense go averaging 126 yards per contest on the ground. They havent played stellar competition but a huge win over the Air Force Academy has the Rams believing.

HEADLINES

• Recruits give Dogs good rating on visits last weekend
• 3rd down woes continue
• Defense among tops in the nation
• Washington setting in on season sack record
• Fan bus tickets on sale for trip to Boise
• Bulldogs receiving top 25 votes

Next 3 games

• 10-6 at Colorado State
• 10-13 at #9 Boise State
• 10-20 vs Wyoming

Last 3 games

• vs SDSU (W) 24-3
• at Tulsa (W) 27-22
• vs Colorado (W) 30-0

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ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY PRESENTED BY HOME DEPOT

GETTIN IN GEAR!
MOUNTAINEERS TRAVEL TO AUSTIN
By Lee Corso
ESPN.COM
Austin, Tex-- The #5 West Virginia Mountaineers hit the headlines this week when quarterback Robert Anderson told a local news station that they would go down to Texas and easily beat them. Well the day is here and after a week full of coverage he will get his time to prove himself right. On paper Texas is out matched, but two quality wins over Oklahoma State and Ole Miss in my eyes has the Longhorns as favorites. Add the bulletin board material and head coach Mack Brown now has some extra tools to motivated his team. The nation is watching.

TOP 25

1. Oklahoma 3-0
2. USC 4-0
3. Florida State 5-0
4. Arkansas 5-0
5. West Virginia 4-0
6. Wisconsin 5-0
7. Alabama 4-1
8. Kansas State 3-1
9. Boise State 4-0
10. South Carolina 4-1
11. Clemson 4-1
12. Notre Dame 4-0
13. Texas 4-0
14. Oregon 4-1
15. LSU 3-2
16. Nebraska 4-1
17. Missouri 5-0
18. Michigan 2-2
19. Stanford 3-1
20. Georgia 3-2
21. Virginia 5-0
22. Oklahoma State 3-1
23. Auburn 3-1
24. Michigan State 3-2
25. Virginia Tech 4-1

WEEKEND WATCH

• In a battle featuring the No. 5 and 6 passing attacks in the country #2 USC travels to Utah
• LSU travels to Gainesville in a must win, loser could hurt their conference title chances
• The Red Raiders always play OU tough at home their #1 ranking could be on the line
• For the third consecutive week #3 Floria State will face a worthy opponent this time 4-1 NC State
• The Huskies hope to bounce back against the nations best back D. McIntosh of Oregon
• VTech travels to Chapel Hill where they'll face the nations #5 rush defense
• Nate Davis and the Arkansas Razorbacks head to Auburn for a SEC Primetime showdown

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MARCHING ALONG
THE BULLDOGS REMAIN UNBEATEN AS THEY KNOCK OFF CONFERENCE FOE COLORADO STATE

Fresno State 37, Colorado State 7

(RB BILL WRIGHT PUTS A MOVE ON A COLORADO STATE DEFENDER BEFORE RACING 80 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN)

FORT COLLINS, CO (AP) -- Mike Peters hauled in two touchdown receptions while Bill Wright added 189 yards on the ground and the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-0, 2-0) remained unbeaten with a 37-7 win over Colorado State. Quarterback Chase Kelly was 13 of 20 for 198 yards winning his fourth straight start since the injury to star quarterback Leon Thompson.
Colorado State (5-1, 1-1) was led by receiver A. Taylor who had a career high 162 yards receiving, his quarterback D. Morris was 18-28 for 293 yards but could not get a touchdown pass against Fresno.
The Bulldogs started out the gates in terms of physicality when 5'8 free safety Dan Marshall lit up receiver D. Edwards on Colorado State's sideline, officials had to break up a small skirmish as well.
"I believe we set the tone with had hit. After that guys were just kinda flying everywhere." Defensive end J. Rush said. Rush recorded 4 sacks of the 6 sacks the Bulldogs had on the afternoon. The exclamation point came late in the fourth already up 30-7 when senior cornerback Omar Cross returned a interception 34 yards for the score.
Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip face #9 Boise State.

BULLDOG NATION Photo Gallery

Spoiler

(DE B. HACKETT RECORDS ONE OF FRESNO'S 6 SACKS AGAINST COLORADO STATE)


(CB M CAMPBELL GRABS HIS SECOND INTERCEPTION OF THE SEASON AGAINST COLORADO STATE)


(FS D. MARSHALL (20) CRUSHES A COLORADO STATE RECEIVER ON THE SIDELINE)


(W. BAKER HAULS IN THIS 36 YARD RECEPTION AGAINST COLORADO STATE)


(LINEBACKER'S CHASE ALLEN (9) AND TIM WASHINGTON (32) IN THE TACKLE AGAINST COLORADO STATE)


(QB CHASE ALLEN PASSES FOR HIS SECOND TOUCHDOWN AGAINST COLORADO STATE)

	1	2	3	4	F
Fresno State	7	10	10	10	37
CSU	0	0	0	7.	7

Quick Stats	FS	CSU
Total Yards	373	247
Passing Yards	198	293
Rushing Yards	175	-46
First Downs	12	9
Turnovers	2	2
Penalties - Yards	3-30	1-4
3rd Down Conversions	1-5	3-10
4th Down Conversions	0-0	0-0
Sacks	6	2
Time of Possession	13:11	10:49

Statistical Leaders - Fresno
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
C. Kelly	13-20	193	2/1	37
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
B. Wright	17	189	1	80
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
M. Peters	5	42	2	14
R. Fernandez	3	50	0	37
W. Baker	2	60	0	36
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
D. Marshall	7	0	1	0
T. Washington	6	0	3	0
J. Rush	4	4.0	4	0

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL


#1 USC SUPRISED!
By Rece Davis
ESPN.com

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- Utah proves once again why games aren't played on paper. The Utes answered every blow USC handed out and at the end came out the victor's as both goal post were torn down. When it came down to it, it was who could protect the ball and the Trojans couldn't, a rare interception by USC quarterback late in the fourth quarter was returned the distance, 79 yards in fact to put Utah up 34-31. A stop on downs would then prevail the Utes to victory. With it being October games like this are expected. Whose next to fall?

TOP 25 HEADLINES

• On the legs of Moore the Longhorns upset West Virginia at home
• Georgia bounces back big with win over Gamecocks
• Florida State runs out of gas losing first game of te year to NC State
• #1 Sooners to much for Red Raiders, 24-7
• C. Harris gets 293 yards on the ground as Badgers roll Illini
• Georgia Tech shows force with 35 point second half to blow out Clemson 49-10
• Huskies keep it exciting but fall to Ducks 24-21
• Irish move to 5-0 with win over 'canes
• Razorbacks invade Jordan-Hare
• Cornhuskers follow up last weeks bad effort with win in the Shoe

Three weekend observations
By Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com


1. Sleepers are starting to emerge as the season progresses and Missouri along with Notre Dame has the country awakening to them. In its first season the Tigers are 3-0 in SEC play, A huge game next week at home awaits them against Alabama. As for the Fighting Irish they typically have their tougher games at the beginning of the schedule before cup caking to USC, well they past the semester's first test and at 6-0 everybody is watching. They face a tough Stanford team next week.


2. USC's Chase Waller looked to be the real deal, but he struggled a bit against a smaller Utah defense. As they would say the blue print is out. Utah sat back in zone and forced Waller to read them in turn he produced his worst outing of the season going 19-35 243 yards and only 1 touchdown. Nate Davis from Arkansas just became number one on everyone's ballot.


3. The badgers are turning into the nations biggest bullies. Undefeated at 6-0 they lead the country in rushing yards per game with 310.7. Running back C. Harris just reminded everyone of how physical they are nearly eclipsing 300 yards himself against Illini. Expect the Badgers to be in talks as the #1 team when the polls come out.