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

[gorillapittpray]

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NEAR DISASTER!
FRESNO BARELY ESCAPES WYOMING IN MOUNTAIN WEST ACTION TO IMPROVE TO 8-0

#18 Fresno State 26, Wyoming 21

(QB CHASE ALLEN UNDER PRESSURE GETS READY TO FIRE A PASS TO WR JAMES WATKINS)

Fresno, CA (AP) -- Mike Peters caught 6 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Chase Allen threw for a career high 334 yards and two scores as Fresno held on for a 26-21 win over Wyoming on a rain soaked Saturday night. Brandon Smith ran it in from 17 yards out to give the Cowboys (3-4, 1-2 MWC) a 21-20 lead with 4:46 left in the fourth, but Fresno (8-0, 4-0 MWC) Grabbed the lead for good after a Kelly to Peters connection and after a failed 2-pt conversion the score sat at 26-21.
Sanders was sacked by Chase Allen with 0:52 seconds left, and Fresno ran out the clock. It was only the second time Fresno got to Sanders during the game.
Sanders finished 14 of 22 passing for 287 yards and two touchdowns while spreading the ball out to six different Wyoming receivers..
Chase Allen would finish with 6 tackles and both sacks for Fresno while three others recorded 4 tackles a piece.
Sophomore receiver James Watkins scored on a 86-yard touchdown reception with in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead. In place of injured William Baker Watkins hauled in 4 receptions for 150 yards and that touchdown was the first of his college career.
Wyoming tied it with a 70-yard touchdown pass of their own from Sanders to Brandon Smith with 0:46 remaining in the second quarter.
Fresno took the lead back with a 32-yard field goal but did it thanks to help of defensive back Omar Cross who recovered a muffed punt after a quick three and out with 0:03 seconds left before halftime to put the score 17-14.
The second half was a defensive struggle for both teams as both offenses tried to establish the run with no avail. Fresno got another field goal Bailey to go up 20-14 to end the third quarter.
Fresno dominated the time of possession and had their best game of the season converting 3rd downs going 6 for 11.
Next up for Fresno is a road trip to New Mexico

BULLDOG NATION Photo Gallery

Spoiler

(DEFENSIVE BACK OMAR CROSS (19) LINEBACKER TIM WASHINGTON (32) AND DEFENSIVEBACK DAN MARSHALL (20) CELEBRATE A THIRD DOWN STOP DURING THE 3RD QTR)


(WYOMING'S BRANDON SMITH TIP TOES AS DEFENSIVE BACK CAMPBELL(2) AND JOHNSON (15) LOOK ON DURING THE 2ND QTR)


(RECEIVER JAMES WATKINS RACES 86 YARDS FOR HIS FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN CATCH DURING THE 1ST QTR)


(RECEIVER MIKE PETERS CATCHES THE TOUCHDOWN TO GIVE FRESNO A 26-21 LEAD DURING THE 4TH QTR)


(LINEBACKER CHASE ALLEN (9) SEALS THE WIN WITH THIS SACK LATE IN THE 4TH QTR)

	1	2	3	4	F
#18 Fresno State (8-0)	14	3	3	6	26
Wyoming (3-4)	7	7	0	7	21

Quick Stats	FS	Wyo
Total Yards	362	306
Passing Yards	334	287
Rushing Yards	28	19
First Downs	11	8
Turnovers	1	1
Penalties - Yards	2-20	4-35
3rd Down Conversions	6-11	2-8
4th Down Conversions	0-1	0-0
Sacks	2	2
Time of Possession	8:07	15:53

Statistical Leaders - Fresno
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
C. Kelly	16-23	334	2/1	86
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
B. Wright	14	28	0	8
M. Brooks	9	19	1	9
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
M. Peters	6	122	1	38
J. Watkins	4	150	1	86
R. Fernandez	3	33	0	25
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
C. Allen	6	2.0	2	0
D. Marshall	4	0	2	0
T. Washington	4	0	1	0

[gorillapittpray]

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL


MOUNTAINEERS, WELCOME TO BIG 12 FOOTBALL!
By Rece Davis
ESPN.com

Morgantown, WV-- Linebacker William Chance jumped around with his teammates in taunting fashion as the clock hit zero, handing out high-fives along the way to a line of adoring fans who made the long trip to Morgantown and had yet another reason to love him.Chance has the Kansas State Wildcats BCS hopes still alive with a 65-28 dominating performance, that statement is sure to keep them in the BCS top 10 as the poll comes out this week.

Chance picked off two passes returning both in the first quarter putting Kansas State up quick 24-0 and never looking back. By halftime it was 45-7 and the boo's started to pour in for a Mountaineer team who had high hopes of winning the Big 12 title but losses to Texas and now Kansas State have them on the outside looking.


TOP 25 HEADLINES

• WR P. Huggins monster day gets NC State past Maryland
• Nebraska improves to 6-1 with 38-21 win over Northwestern
• Michigan explodes for blowout win over Michigan State, 52-14
• Wisconsin's Harris adds 147 yards and two scores as the Badgers rout Golden Gophers
• BYU makes it interesting in close loss to Irish, 27-20
• 17-point 2nd quarter lifts Canes over Seminoles
• Waller, Blankenship lead USC to rout over Buffaloes
• Boise bounces back big time with 42-10 win over UNLV
• 41 unanswered has Hokies past Clemson, 41-13
• #1 Sooners win big over KU, 33-7
• 6-1 Lonhorns needed OT to get past scrappy Baylor
• Stanford dominates Cal

Weekend observations
By Kirk Herbstriet, ESPN.com

ESPN STUDIOS-- With the BCS coming out tomorrow night strong cases were made this weekend by players as well as teams. Kansas State made the most noise with their 40-point win over West Virginia. The Mountaineers who had it all going for them on the national stage at home really squandered a opportunity to impress the pollster's.
Every week turns into a hard fought grind and teams like Notre Dame and Fresno Start almost found out the hard way. #4 Notre Dame struggled big time especially quarterback R. Garcia who was 12 of 31 passing, thanks to an opportunistic defense the Irish was able to hold off BYU. For Fresno State, they showed despite being undefeated with a 8-0 record they just aren't there yet. They had a great offensive game from sophomore quarterback Chase Kelly throwing for well over 300 yards. But they couldn't pull away from a Wyoming team who ranks at the bottom at about every NCAA category you can name.
Then you have the Clemson's the Florida State's and the Michigan State's who had a chance to not only stay in the conference raise to but to stay in prime bowl position and they failed. Most disappointingly was the Spartans from Michigan State who was getting hot with a 3-game winning streak but that 38-point loss hurt.
College football is a emotional rollar coaster, only the strong survive.

[gorillapittpray]

BULLDOG NATION

UP NEXT!
FRESNO STATE IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT IMPROVING THAN THEIR UNDEFEATED RECORD

Next Up vs New Mexico (2-5) 10-27-2012 3pm

WR James Watkins burst onto the scene last week with a 4 catch 150 yard performance. The Sophomore looks forward to his first start this weekend.

FRESNO, CA -- Head coach Robert Goss wasn't as excited as he should have been with Chase Kelly's uncharacteristic performance in his team's most recent game. Instead, he was displeased with his teams rushing attack.
"Fortunately our pass game came to life a little bit," Goss said. " But I care more about the run than the pass game, because I know we'll get that figured out, so I think we need to improve there."
They should have an excellent chance to perfect their passing game against New Mexico (2-5) with receiver James Watkins. The sophomore was got on the field after a William Baker leg injury and made his presence felt almost immediately, the 6-foot-1 target returned to practice this week shrugging off last week's performance.
"That was last week, its time to get better this week and prepare for New Mexico."

With him opposite of Peters and Fernandez this gives Kelly and the Bulldogs another vertical threat to stretch this defense and help out a run game that never was for Fresno last week.

--LOOKING AT NEW MEXICO--
New Mexico started this season off 0-4 before a win at Texas State a new Division 1 football program. In fact the Lobo's are 2-1 in their last three games. with the exception of blowout losses to Texas and Boise New Mexico has been competitive in all other games.
Led running back M. Rogers and receiver K. Bennett, quarterback T. White has had some big games getting them the ball. The problem lies with the Lobo's on defense giving up over 413 yards per game. That has them ranked 112 in the country. With no real playmakers on defense to force pressure or take the ball away the offense has had to do more.

HEADLINES

• Training Staff says Thompson about 3 weeks out, can start throwing this week
• Bulldogs open the BCS rankings at #12
• Big recruiting weekend saw Bulldogs get 4 soft commitments including 3 star DE Mike Vincent
• Bulldogs off to their best start since '85
• Goss interviews on ESPN's Mike and Mike
• Bulldogs practice report 'Wednesday"

NEXT 3 GAMES

• 10-27 at New Mexico
• 11-3 vs Hawaii
• 11-10 at Nevada

LAST 3 GAMES

• vs Wyoming (W) 26-21
• at Boise (W) 28-24
• at Colorado State (W) 37-7

[gorillapittpray]

ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY PRESENTED BY HOME DEPOT

#4 IRISH HEAD TO NORMAN!
BCS OPENS WITH SOONERS AT THE TOP SPOT
By Brad Nessler
ESPN.COM
Norman, Okla I-- What way to open the BCS portion of the season than to have national title contenders head to head as #4 Notre Dame travels to #1 Oklahoma. A lot is at stake, typically from here on out a lost could ruin a whole season. But with Oklahoma being as dominant as last years Alabama a loss could barely knock them out of the top 3. Notre Dame has the luck of the Irish on their side however at one point during a four game straight the Irish knocked off four consecutive ranked teams. Notre Dame's R.. Garcia will have to contend with OU's #6 rated defense, if Garcia can limit his mistakes this could be a barn burner, Ou's quarterback however rarely makes mistakes with a 17/4 touchdown to interception ration. The Sooners look to stay dominate in this one.

BCS TOP 10

1. Oklahoma 6-0 ----
2. Arkansas 7-0 (.995)
3. Wisconsin 8-0 (.989)
4. Missouri 7-0 (.981)
5. Notre Dame 7-0 (.981)
6. Kansas State 6-1 (.970)
7. USC 6-1 (.970)
8. Texas 6-1 (.962)
9. Boise State 6-1 (.957)
10. Alabama 5-2 (.946)

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Heisman Race

1. Curtis Harris HB - Wisconsin

• 138 car, 840 yards, 10 Touchdowns

Last Game: 24 car, 147 yards 2 TD, 21 receiving yards, 1 TD


2. Nate Gray QB - Arkansas

• 195.1 QB Rating, 67.9 Comp%, 2,174 yards 27 TD-3 INT

Last Game: 26-37, 359 yards 5 TD's


3. Was Matt Sears RB Georgia until a season ending injury


4. Bill Wright HB - Fresno State

• 111 car, 920 yards, 8 Touchdowns 8.3 ypr, 11.1 punt retun ave 1 TD, 25.6 Kick return avg

Last Game: 14 car, 28 yards


5. Paul Huggins WR - North Carolina State

• 66 rec, 1,177 yards, 14 touchdowns

Last Game: 8 rec, 158 yards
__________________________________________________ ______________


TOP 25

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

WEEKEND WATCH

• Gameday travels to Norman for #1 Sooners and #5 Irish
• Michigan State hopes it can rebound in Madison vs #3 Badgers
• Kentucky may pose problems for #5 Missouri
• Nebraska looks to play bad guest when #17 Michigan comes to town
• UGA/UF doesnt have same buzz to it this year
• Horned Frogs primed for upset of Oklahoma State

[gorillapittpray]

AS EXPECTED!
BULLDOGS GET SEASONS SECOND SHUTOUT WITH 41-0 WIN OVER NEW MEXICO

#13 Fresno State 41, New Mexico 0

(MARSHALL'S 4TH QUARTER INTERCEPTION SEALED FRESNO'S 2ND SHUT OUT THIS SEASON)

Albuquerque, NM (AP) -- Bill Wright rushed for 90 yards but had career day returning punts returning two to the house as Fresno shut out New Mexico, Saturday. The Bulldogs (9-0, 5-0 MWC) jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first half, with touchdown passes of 70 and 24 yards from quarterback Chase Kelly to Miller and Fernandez. Mike Brooks would close the half out with a 33 yard sprint down the sideline. Kelly would finish 11-17 for 225 yards and one interception. Spelling Wright, Brooks gained 70 yards on just 5 carries.

The third quarter saw Wright, a newly named Heisman candidate return his first punt 61 yards getting crushing blocks as he raced past Lobo defenders.
He would get his 2nd in the 4th quarter when he cut all the way across the fiel before diving into the end zone getting swarmed by his teammates.
Not to many bright spots for New Mexico (2-6, 1-3) as Quarterback T. White was 10 of 20 for just 82 yards getting picked off in the fourth quarter by Fresno free safety Dan Marshall. The Bulldogs were all over the place as LB Tim Washington had a game high 7 tackles. DT J. Kearney would record 2.0 of the four sacks for the Bulldogs as they held New Mexico to just 110 yards of total offense and 2 of 10 on third downs.
Next up for Fresno State is a home game vs Hawaii.

BULLDOG NATION Photo Gallery

Spoiler

(MARSHALL (20) LAYS A BONE CRUNCHING HIT ON A NEW MEXICO PLAYING DURING THE 2ND QTR)


(KELLY (10) FINDS MILLER FOR THE 70 YARD SCORE)


(FERNANDEZ (11) GETS IN THE END ZONE WITH CATCH DURING THE 2ND QTR)


(TAILEBACK MIKE BROOKS GETS THROUGH THE HOLE AND BREAKS FOR 33 YARDS AND A SCORE BEFORE HALFTIME)


(ALLEN (RIGHT) AND THOMPSON (LEFT) GET THE SACK)


(TIM WASHINGTON DELIVERS THE BLOW WHILE JOHNSON (15) LOOKS ON)


(WRIGHT RETURNS HIS 2ND PUNT FOR A SCORE DURING THE 4TH QTR)

	1	2	3	4	F
#13 Fresno State (9-0)	3	21	7	10	41
New Mexico (2-6)	0	0	0	0	0

Quick Stats	FS	UNM
Total Yards	390	110
Passing Yards	225	82
Rushing Yards	165	28
First Downs	14	8
Turnovers	1	1
Penalties - Yards	3-30	4-40
3rd Down Conversions	1-5	2-10
4th Down Conversions	0-0	0-0
Sacks	2	0
Time of Possession	12:21	15:50

Statistical Leaders - Fresno
Passing	C-A	Yards	TD/Int	Long
C. Kelly	11-17	225	2/1	70
Rushing	Rushes	Yards	TD	Long
B. Wright	18	90	0	18
M. Brooks	5	75	1	33
Receiving	Rec	Yards	TD	Long
R. Fernandez	4	54	1	24
J. Watkins	4	33	1	11
A. Miller	2	102	1	70
Defensive	Tackles	Sacks	TFL	TO
T. Washington	7	0	0	0
D. Marshall	7	0	1	1 INT
J. Rush	5	0.5	0	0

[packersfan4eva]

Can you say undefeated?

[gorillapittpray]

Quote: Originally Posted by packersfan4eva

Can you say undefeated?

We'll see, I tweaked my sliders thats why I struggled with Wyoming, I still have to play Nevada whose 8-1 right now

[gorillapittpray]

COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL


LUCK ON THEIR SIDE!
By Rece Davis
ESPN.com

Norman, Okla-- In a hard fought National Championship type feel to it the Notre Dame fighting Irish went into Norman Oklahoma and took down the Giant known as the Sooners. Notre Dame's quarterback R. Garcia was knocked out of the game early in the 2nd quarter but Nash came in and saved the day giving Notre Dame the 21-14 lead heading into the 4th quarter after a 44 yard touchdown pass to Cooper. Three forced turnovers in the fourth quarter including huge interceptions by Taylor and Ham helped the Irish cling to a 24-17 win.

TOP 25 HEADLINES

• Razorbacks take care of Ole Miss to stay unbeaten
• A 34-33 win keeps Wildcats in the BCS hunt
• Alabama squeaks by Miss State, improves to 6-2
• KU no Match for 7-1 Longhorns, 49-7
• Duke nearly upsets Seminoles in Doak Campbell, falling late 24-21
• NC State squanders 10-point 4th qtr lead before getting out of Chapel Hill with win in OT
• Harris has another huge day for Badgers beating Michigan State
• Michigan, led by strong defense blowout Huskers
• Georgia gets Gators in four overtimes
• Nevada quietly winning, improve to 8-1

Weekend observations
By Kirk Herbstriet, ESPN.com

ESPN STUDIOS-- Could that possibly have been just round one between Notre Dame and Oklahoma who isn't expected to drop to far in the polls with a tough loss to the Irish. The Irish, who have played in hard fought games this season just know how to win. Garcia gets knocked out and Nash comes in and saves Face. This could be their year, but a date with destiny as in USC awaits them in 4 weeks.
Let's not forget about how Wisconsin is rolling through the Big Ten, as all games seem competitive Wisconsin's games are strack smack you in the mouth move out my way, and Heisman candidate C. Harris continues to impress us on the ground slowly becoming a clear favorite. But what about the other Heisman prospect from Arkansas? N. Gray has the Razorbacks at #2 in the land they are seemingly running through the SEC with another sharp performance this time against Ole Miss as he went 22-30 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The sleepers or BCS busters are slowly coming to the front of the line, Fresno State the favorite to bust this year is undefeated at 9-0, their secpnd best start in school history. Boise is lurking as well as a 7-1 Utah team who has given USC their only loss, but Nevada is a upset win over Fresno State away from joining the party, the Wolfpack have impressed again today and their 8-1 record will be more respected with a win over the Bulldogs in 2 weeks.