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SilverBullet19 · 12-18-2015, 03:33 AM

Sonoma State Announces Plan To Join C-USA in 2015

Rohnert Park, CA -- During halftime of their week 4 home matchup against Eastern Washington, Sonoma State athletic director Brian Franks announced the Seawolves had finally found a home. Sonoma State will join the C-USA as a football only member in 2015. The move comes at a perfect time, as Sonoma State has struggled to find opponents since the program was created. As of now, Sonoma had only one scheduled game for 2015 (Fresno State). "This is huge for scheduling" said Franks, "its going to make the offseason easier as we can focus on things other than filling a 12 game season."

Sonoma State will no longer be a probationary FBS member next season, if they fulfill their requirements this year. That will make them eligible not only for a conference championship their first year in C-USA, but also bowl eligible if they can manage six wins.

Sonoma will join the West Division of C-USA, bringing the conference to an even 14 teams. They will compete with Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, UTSA, Rice, and North Texas for the division crown. Sonoma is the only team in the conference west of Texas. The costs of the long travels should be offset by the shared income from the conference. "Some may complain about the cost of travels, but in reality we already spend so much more as an independent" said Franks.

Head coach Scott Wright was pleased with the move. "Its great to have a home. When you're independent, you can get lost in a season. Now we will have a division title and conference title to work for, and that adds a lot of motivation" Wright said. "I look forward to building rivalries with some of these teams, I'm very excited" he finished.

The announcement eased many worried minds. Sonoma had already applied for membership to the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences. The Mountain West denied their application, citing a need for a better winning tradition. The Sun Belt, well known for taking on newcomers, cited traveling costs as a main reason for turning down the school. Many feared it would be years until the Seawolves found a conference home, which would mean many added expenses. "After being turned down twice, we figured it would be best to apply to a conference looking to round out their divisions. C-USA was the clear choice having only 13 teams" Franks stated.

C-USA provided a press release stating they were looking forward to the national notoriety they could experience with a California team in the mix. They also expressed the excitement of having a full 14 teams.

editors note: I struggled to pick a conference for a while. Personally, I hate being an independent. If the WAC still existed I would have gone there. The MWC is a clear geographical choice...but they are too strong to take on a newbie. On top of that I have played a lot of dynasties in the MWC, so the competition is a bit stale. The Sun Belt takes on tons of newcomers...but the C-USA was a bit more geographically sound. It also made it an even 14 teams...which I felt would be a selling point for the conference to add a team. Being from CA, Sonoma gives the conference a wider audience.

SilverBullet19 · 12-18-2015, 05:35 AM

Week 4: Sonoma State Vs. Eastern Washington

Sonoma State (2-2) Sets Records in 49-17 Win

The Seawolves breezed past the Eagles this week in a game that saw two record breaking performances. Brian Givens led an offense that put up a school record 49 points, and defensive tackle Nick Chambers recorded a record 4.0 sacks.

Sonoma had a hot start, putting up 28 points in the first half. They went into the break up 28-10. After a quick fumble recovery, Givens hit WR #87 on a 46 yard TD to start off the third quarter. Givens was on pace for almost 600 passings yards, but Sonoma turned to the run in the second half to keep the clock moving. Givens would record 346 yards and just one interception. He turned to WR #87 often too. WR #87 racked up 193 yards on just 9 catches, averaging over 20 yards per catch.

HB #22 had a breakout game. After amassing just 68 in the three previous games, he would run for 127 yards and averaged 7.9 per carry. He also caught a TD pass.

The win convinced three recruits to verbally commit as well. Offensive Tackles Marcello Price (San Clemente, CA) and Robert Hollis (Manhattan Beach, CA) both announced via twitter they had chosen SSU. Defensive Tackle Norris Woods (Gardena, CA) announced his intent via Facebook, stating that he couldn't see himself anywhere else.

Week 5: Sonoma State Vs. Army

Sonoma (2-3) Falls to Army (4-0) At Home

In the first sellout crowd at Seawolf Stadium, the Seawolves couldn't compete with an overpowering Army option attack. Army had four touchdowns of 30 yards or more in the contest. Sonoma rallied midway through, coming back from a 17 point deficit to take the lead 28-24. 5 turnover would end their chances of a comeback. The loss would make SSU's first home loss of the season. Although they sit at 2-3, they have still not earned a victory over an FBS opponent.

"I saw a lot of good things...and a lot of bad things" said coach Wright when speaking of QB Brian Givens. Givens threw for a school record 484 yards and 4 TD, but threw 4 interceptions in the process. "He's a freshman...we have to remember that. Its easy to forget because he is so poised, but there will be growing pains" said Wright.

Turnovers continue to be an issue for Sonoma State, as they lead the FBS in giveaways. They hope to turn it around next week at Arkansas State.

Not all was lost in the week, as recruiting efforts still prove to be strong in wine country. Sonoma had five recruits verbally commit this week:
2* JUCO CB Isaac Johnson (Oakland, CA)
3* DE Tyler Alexander (Fullerton, CA)
1* JUCO QB Ron Bowman (Santa Rosa, CA)
1* FB Tyrone McQueen (Roseville, CA)
2* G George Givens (Apple Valley, CA)

Week 6: Sonoma @ Arkansas State

Sonoma State (2-4) Gets Rolled 42-14 By Arkansas state (2-3)

Sonoma State struggled heavily against an Arkansas State team that apparently had something to prove. The Seawolves offense struggled, giving up 7 sacks to the Red Wolves in the contest. "Our line had a hard time. Make no mistake, they flat out beat us" said coach Wright.

Givens was only able to muster 212 passing yards. The highlight of the game was a 68 yard run by HB #22 that set up a TD to put Sonoma on the board. They trailed 17-7 at that point. From there, it was a show by the Red Wolves. They shut down the Sonoma passing attack with ease, and running wasn't any better. Sonoma didn't cross midfield in the second half.

The loss comes just before a tough trip to Stillwater to take on #15 Oklahoma State. "We've had a tough stretch, and its only getting tougher. If we can pull through this, we will come out strong" said Wright.

Once again, the high note on the week was recruiting. It appears Wright has a knack for the job, as he picked up 4 more commitments. Sonoma State has given out 12 of their 25 scholarships at the midway point of the season. The highlight of the group this week was a 3* offensive guard Keenan Harris, who will likely see the field next season to help a weak line.

SilverBullet19 · 12-18-2015, 06:13 AM

Despite Strong Start, Sonoma State Struggles

After winning their opener against Portland State and putting Alabama on upset alert, it was looking as if Sonoma State would be a dangerous team this season. A blowout win against Eastern Washington only made it look more like a certainty. After back-to-back losses to Army and Arkansas State, however, Sonoma State has fallen off the map. "Its been tough. We've had rough competition and no bye weeks to help recover" said coach Wright. "I see more wins for us, we just need to turn it around."

An upcoming trip to Stillwater to face the #15 Cowboys doesn't help matters. Despite the 2-4 record, Wright still seems to have full support from his school. "We've got two wins, which is exponentially more than last season" chuckled athletic direction Brian Franks. "Whats more important is that we have seen a lot of progress. The players have class, and you can see the will to win. That wasn't present last year" he continued. The improvements have been obvious.

B. Givens has put up great passing numbers. In six games he has thrown for over 2100 yards in what has become a pass heavy offense. His 15 interceptions have been a major detriment. "Theres a learning curve, he will get there" Wright told reporters. His favorite target has emerged in WR #87, who has racked up almost 700 yards through the first half of the year. "His leadership has been important. WR #87 really picked up our offense quick. He understands it, so he can get open much easier."

The running game has seen a boost as well. After gaining a total of 68 yards in their first three games, HB #22 averaged over 100 yards per game through the last three contests. His average has gone from 2.1 yards per carry to a very respectable 5.9. "Despite our losses, we have seen a lot of improvement" Wright pointed out.

Sonoma has also seen a huge improvement in support as well. The Seawolves managed to have their first sellout crowd against Army, filling their 20,000 seat stadium. "Coach Wright has done a lot to get this community excited about football. He does a lot off the field, and he helps this program in a lot of ways" Franks said.

Sonoma's Remaining Schedule
10-11: @ #15 Oklahoma State (2-1)
10-18: Vs. Colorado State (4-1)
10-25: Vs. Toledo (1-3)
11-01: @ Houston (4-1)
11-15: Vs. Wyoming (2-3)
11-29: @ Rice (2-3)

Their strongest chances to win from here look to be Toledo, Wyoming, and Rice. Coach Wright likes his chances at home for two of those games. "I love home games. The foundation for success is to win at home. It all starts there, and were working on it. We're 2-1 at home, we need to keep building this foundation."

Recruiting
12/25 scholarships awarded. All players unscouted

3* G Keenan Harris (Cathedral City, CA): 68
2* WR Chad Mathis (Modesto, CA): 58
2* WR Chad Thompson (Santee, CA): 62
1* P Shaun Garrison (Carson, CA): 65
2* JUCO CB Isaac Johnson (Oakland, CA): 79
3* DE Tyler Alexander (Fullerton, CA): 67
1* JUCO QB Ron Bowman (Santa Rosa, CA): 65
1* FB Tyrone McQueen (Roseville, CA): 66
2* G George Givens (Apple Valley, CA): 64
2* T Robert Hollis (Manhattan Beach, CA): 62
1* T Marcello Price (San Clemente, CA): 61
2* DT Norris Woods (Gardena, CA): 60

If recruiting is any indication, Sonoma could have a whole new set of starters on the O-Line next season. The full walk-on group has been struggling, and with four quality lineman commits its clearly been a focus. JUCO CB Isaac Johnson will hope to have an immediate impact for struggling defense. JUCO QB Ron Bowman was a commit to former coach Bobby Hill. He followed Hill to Santa Rosa Junior College, and has accepted a scholarship to SSU for the second time now. Bowman has had a good season at SRJC, where he had thrown for 1,200 yards and run for another 200 so far. Although Givens has put up great numbers, he has turned the ball over at an alarming rate. That may open the door for Bowman to take over the QB spot. In either case, they are building depth at the position.

Stats

Passing:
B. Givens: 125/195, 2110 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 170.1 QBR

Rushing:
HB #22: 64 carries, 383 yards, 5.9 avg, 5 TD
B. Givens: 74 carries, 168 yards, 2.2 avg, 4 TD

Receiving:
WR #87: 33 rec, 678 yards, 6 TD
T. Newberry: 26 rec, 396 yards, 3 TD
D. McNeal: 23 rec, 475 yards, 5 TD
HB #22: 18 rec, 180 yards, 1 TD
E. McClellan: 17 rec, 269 yards, 2 TD

Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: MLB M. Franklin (46)
Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin/DT L. Johnson (11 each)
Sacks: DT N. Chambers/DT L. Johnson (7.0 each)
Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2)
Forced Fumbles: DT N. Chambers (2)

SilverBullet19 · 12-22-2015, 12:16 AM

Week 7: Sonoma State @ #15 Oklahoma State

Injuries Thwart Sonoma State (2-5) Comeback as they fall 45-21 to #15 Oklahoma State (3-1)

Sonoma State showed flashes of greatness in a rough game against Oklahoma State. The Seawolves hung in there with the Cowboys, trailing just 28-21 going into the 4th quarter. A 17 point rally by the Cowboys sealed with a pick six closed the door on the Seawolves.

Sonoma State came out strong, scoring on their first drive to take the lead 7-0. The defense had a great first half, and managed to rack up 7 sacks on the day. Missed opportunities and coverage breakdowns allowed the Cowboys to rack up big yards. "We had a few opportunities for interceptions and forcing punts that we didn't come through on," coach Wright told reporters, "and wouldn't you know it, they would get a major gain on the next play. We need to make our opportunities count."

The loss was particularly taxing in terms of injuries. HB #22 went down in the 4th quarter with a strained shoulder. Although he was not effective running the ball, he did have five catches out of the backfield and two receiving touchdowns. Brian Givens had one of his better passing performances, going 26/39 for 264 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. His favorite target was clearly WR #87 who racked up 11 catches in the contest. Both interceptions were returned for touchdowns by SS #3, who seemed to have Givens' number all day. Givens went down with a chest injury in the 4th quarter as well, which saw Chase Crowder come in. By that time, Sonoma was down for the count and chose to run the ball to finish the game. "I wasn't interested in more injuries. We were down 24 at that point, its not worth the risk" said Wright.

Both Givens and HB #22 are listed as "probable" going into their next game at home against Colorado State. Coach Wright hopes they can play and build off the success from this week.

Week 8: Sonoma State Vs. Colorado State

Sonoma State (3-5) Defeats Colorado State (5-2) For First Win Over FBS Opponent

Marcus Franklin picks off QB #18 and runs it all the way back to secure the win

A gutsy call on the Seawolves opening drive set the tone for the entire game. Facing 4th and 24 from the Colorado State 36, coach Wright elected to roll the dice instead of pooch punting. The result was a 28 yard gain that gave the Seawolves a 1st and goal, and ultimately a touchdown to take an early lead. "We had a play in mind for Newberry. He had been cold lately and it was a chance for him to shine. Both he and Givens came through" said Coach Wright. "You have to take your chances when you're the underdog."

The Rams walked into wine country with confidence, boasting a 5-1 record and favored by 28 over the hometown Seawolves. Just sixty football minutes later, the Rams would be 5-2 and the Seawolves would have their first victory over an FBS opponent in program history. As 28 point underdogs, the Seawolves pulled off the biggest upset win in FBS this season.

Sonoma State would never trail in front of their second sellout crowd of the season. They walked into the half up 21-7. The Rams scored on their opening possession of the third quarter, but Brian Givens and the Seawolves answered back to reclaim a 14 point advantage. It was the closest the heavily favored Rams would get.

Givens had a stellar game, going 21/28 for 220 yards and two touchdowns. The Seawolves employed a short range passing attack that left the Rams looking confused. Givens only interception would come with 3:21 left in the fourth, trying to force a pass on 3rd and five. "We had a lot of time to strategize, which helped" said Wright. "With their slow paced offense, we could review each drive and really pick and choose what to do on the next one." Sonoma scored on every possession until the 4th quarter pick. Givens spread the ball around evenly, with five players having multiple catches. HB #22 continued to have a strong impact on the passing game, catching 6 passes for 60 yards while running for 51 on 12 carries.

The defense was also a sight to behold, racking up six sacks in the game. The Rams had a shot at a comeback, until MLB Marcus Franklin picked off a 3rd and 8 pass and ran it back 58 yards for a touchdown. "At that moment, I lost it" said Wright, "because I knew it was ours. Our first FBS win. The fans were going wild, the kids were going crazy, it was great."

With the win Sonoma improves to 3-1 at their brand new stadium. They face Toledo again at home next week, and hope for another big crowd. "We've been giving people what they want at home, wins!" said Athletic Director Brian Franks. "Its what we need. Hopefully the crowd comes in for another."

Week 9: Sonoma State Vs. Toledo

Sonoma State (4-5) Makes Goal Line Stand To Defeat Toledo 31-23

As the saying goes, there's no place like home. Sonoma State fought back against a heavily favored Toledo team to secure their second straight win.

Sonoma struggled to move the ball early. After a touchdown on their opening drive, they found themselves punting three straight times. They trailed 20-7 in the 2nd. It was looking like Toledo would make it a 27-7 lead, until a pick by FS CB #18 in the red zone pumped life into the team. The offense would drive down the field with Givens hitting McNeal for two consecutive touchdowns to take the lead 21-20. Coach Wright successfully iced K #85, who missed a 57 yard kick wide left going into halftime.

Toledo answered in the 3rd with a quick field goal, but Sonoma again would answer back, with HB #22 taking it in from 12 yards out. CB #4 quickly picked off QB #7 on the following drive, setting up a Sonoma field goal.

Toledo made a drive late in the game, but MLB M. Franklin forced a fumble as QB #7 scrambled. Sonoma would recover it at their own six.

Givens remained perfect until late in the 4th. He went 23/37 for 291 and 3 touchdowns, hitting 8 different receivers in the process. WR #87 was the clear leader with 10 receptions for 135 yards. After leaving the game with a sprained ankle, Givens would come back and throw a late pick that allowed Toledo a run at the game.

After allowing Toledo to drive inside the 10 yard line with 1:00 to go, the defense embraced the "bend, but don't break" mentality. D. Myers was able to force WR #19 out of bounds at the four, clinching the win for the Seawolves.

"We've had rough games. The past couple have really shown how our team has grown this season" said Coach Wright. "They have improved so much, and its become obvious."

Sonoma State has played strong at home. In the last two games they have only had two turnovers total, their lowest numbers of the season. "We're doing a much better job of taking care of the ball, which is key to winning" said Wright.

Sonoma improves to 4-1 at home on the season and will travel to Houston next week. Givens is listed as "probable" with his ankle injury.

SilverBullet19 · 12-22-2015, 01:19 AM

Sonoma State Proves To Be Competetive

After dropping to 2-5 on the season, the Seawolves rallied at home for their first two wins against FBS opponents. Sonoma State improved to 4-5 last week with a win a win over Toledo. The Seawolves have posted over thirty points in each of their last two games, bringing their season average to 30.7 points per game. They rank 34th in the nation in that category.

Although Sonoma has five losses, they have been to solid competition. Three of the losses are to currently ranked teams (#5 Michigan (7-1), #10 Alabama (7-2), and #18 Army (8-0)). The five teams post a combined record of 29-9. "We picked quality competition, so naturally we will have some trouble with them. In the long run it has clearly made our team better" said Athletic Director Brian Franks.

After numerous turnovers, the Seawolves have found solid ground in the past two games. Freshman quarterback Brian Givens has been taking care of the ball much better, throwing only one interception in each game. "He has made big strides. If he keeps this confidence, he could make it to the NFL" Coach Wright told reporters. Although that would be years away, Givens would be the first NFL prospect from Sonoma State since Larry Allen.

Sonoma has continued to lean on their high powered passing attack. Brian Givens is quickly approaching the 3000 yard mark, leading the nation with 2885 passing yards. WR #87 will almost certainly eclipse the 60 catch and 1000 yard milestones next week against Houston. The running game has sputtered, but HB #22 has made his impact in other ways. He has snagged over thirty catches out of the backfield and come on strong in the past few games. "He knew running would be tough this year," Coach Wright explained, "so he really worked hard on other ways to have an impact out of the backfield. He has great dedication to helping the team."

Sonoma State has built strong home following during the season. The 20,000 stadium has sold out each of the last three home games. That has directly resulted in offseason plans to add end zone seating, which reportedly will raise the stadium capacity to about 30,000 and enclose the field. "It is a huge help to win at home like we have been. It draws more people in and allows us to make a football game a bigger and better experience," quoted AD Brian Franks.

Sonoma has just three remaining games on the season, with one home matchup. They have made it through the toughest part of their season and have managed to keep all their players relatively healthy. "We have been banged up, but everyone is active," said Coach Wright. Brian Givens has gone down with minor injuries the last two games, but is expected to play. They have two bye weeks through their final three games, which should allow time for players to heal and rest.

Remaining Games
11-1 @ Houston (4-2)
11-15 Vs. Wyoming (4-4)
11-29 @ Rice (2-6)

Recruiting
18/25 Scholarships awarded. All players unscouted

Commits since last update:

3* FB Jeremy Thomas (Irvine, CA): 73
2* TE Matt Gray (Whittier, CA): 56
3* OLB Ryan Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA): 68
2* K Sean Bentley (South Whittier, CA): 74
2* SS Tyrone Steele (Dana Point, CA): 61
1* JUCO SS Lukas Williams (Highland, CA) 65

Sonoma State has had a strong recruiting presence in southern California, and they have secured several quality recruits. Through this point in the season, they a 4 3* commits, 9 2* commits, and 5 1* commits. Its good enough to rank #16 in the nation thus far. They look to award all 25 scholarships this year.

Stats
Passing:
B. Givens: 195/299, 2885 yards, 25 TD, 19 INT, 161.2 QBR

Rushing:
HB #22: 95 carries, 492 yards, 5.1 avg, 7 TD
B. Givens: 122 carries, 324 yards, 2.6 avg, 6 TD

Receiving:
WR #87: 59 rec, 973 yards, 7 TD
T. Newberry: 33 rec, 464 yards, 3 TD
HB #22: 31 rec, 295 yards, 4 TD
D. McNeal: 30 rec, 568 yards, 7 TD
E. McClellan: 28 rec, 393 yards, 2 TD

Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: MLB M. Franklin (65)
Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin (16)
Sacks: DT N. Chambers/DT L. Johnson (9.0 each)
Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2)
Forced Fumbles: DT N. Chambers (2)

Kicking:
T. Jones
FG: 1/2 (32 yards)
39/39 PAT
21 Punts, 38.8 avg, 5 inside 20

SilverBullet19 · 12-22-2015, 03:34 AM

Week 10: Sonoma State @ Houston

Houston (5-2) Breezes Past Sonoma State (4-6) 55-28

The turnover bug hit Sonoma hard again this week, with freshman quarterback Brian Givens giving the ball up three times in the loss to Houston. Sonoma Stated off hot, with a 57 yard touchdown pass to WR #87 to open things up. The Houston defense quickly locked it down, holding Sonoma to less than 50 yards on the ground.

The Sonoma defense never stood a chance against the high powered Houston offense. The Cougars had 11 plays of over 20 yards, and scored 4 touchdowns from outside the Sonoma 30 yard line.

The Seawolves looked fatigued throughout the game. Coach Wright looks forward to them getting a week off before facing off against Wyoming. "We've played two or three more games than most teams at this point. All our bye weeks are here at the finish. These kids are tired, they need some rest," said Wright.

With two games to go, Sonoma is in a position to reach the .500 mark by the end of their season. With just Wyoming and Rice left to play, they have a decent shot at reaching the goal. Especially considering they have a bye week between each game. Sonoma is not eligible for a bowl game this season, but an even record would be a landmark achievement.

Week 12: Sonoma State Vs. Wyoming

Givens Goes Down As Sonoma State (4-7) Falls to Wyoming (6-5) 38-6

Wyoming became bowl eligible with the win in Sonoma this weekend. The game was a bust after SSU quarterback Brian Givens left in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. Sonoma was already trailing 24-3 at the time.

Wyoming came out firing on all cylinder, accumulating 24 points in the opening quarter. Givens was 8/21 before he left the game. Walk on Chase Crowder had a rough time through the rest of the game, going 1/8 with an interception. The Seawolves went 3-and-out seven times through the game and only managed 124 yards of offense.

The loss prevents Sonoma from reaching the .500 mark for the year. They will travel back to Houston in two weeks to face Rice in the season finale. Early reports indicate Brian Givens will be able to play in the game.

Week 14: Sonoma State @ Rice

Rice (3-9) Spoils Sonoma (4-8) Comeback, Wins 59-55

In a wild west style shootout Rice held on to win 59-55 after a late push by the Sonoma State Seawolves. The future division rivals lit up the scoreboard and the skies all day, in a game where the defenses both forgot to show up.

Brian Givens went 27/42 for 416 yard before leaving with a concussion in the third. Chase Crowder stepped in and immediately threw a pick six. He recovered to go 14/23 for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Injuries rattled Sonoma State early. Daniel McNeal left early in the 2nd with a separated shoulder. WR #87 would amass 17 receptions for 301 yards (both school records) before leaving early in the 4th with a sprained ankle.

Despite the injuries, Sonoma State made a late run at it. They scored 21 in the 4th to take the lead 55-52 with 26 seconds left. Two long passed put Rice in the end zone quick and deflated the Seawolves.

Luckily for Sonoma, the injuries came in the last game of the season. With so little depth, CB #18, CB #4, and Murphy were playing both sides of the ball in the 4th.

SilverBullet19 · 12-22-2015, 03:54 AM

End of 2014 Season

Sonoma State Shows Big Improvements in 2nd Season

Sonoma State managed four wins in their second season of FBS play. They also managed to set multiple school records. Freshman quarterback Brian Givens would set a school record, throwing for 3711 yards and 31 touchdowns. WR #87 also set numerous records for receiving yards and catches during the season. The records signified vast improvements from the 0-12 campaign the season before.

"We are really happy with the direction the program is going. Obviously we want more wins, but we are starting off on the right foot," AD Brian Franks told reporters.

Sonoma State will enter the offseason with 21 recruits already committed. It should make offseason recruiting much easier for them with so much already taken care of.

Stats

Passing:
B. Givens: 253/400, 3711 yards, 31 TD, 24 INT, 154.8 QBR

Rushing:
HB #22: 114 carries, 543 yards, 4.7 avg, 7 TD
B. Givens: 152 carries, 370 yards, 2.4 avg, 8 TD

Receiving:
WR #87: 90 rec, 1475 yards, 11 TD
T. Newberry: 46 rec, 658 yards, 4 TD
HB #22: 39 rec, 356 yards, 4 TD
D. McNeal: 37 rec, 637 yards, 7 TD
E. McClellan: 37 rec, 2538 yards, 2 TD

Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: ROLR Deon Harper (87)
Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin/DT L. Johnson (18 each)
Sacks: DT DT L. Johnson (11.0)
Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2)
Forced Fumbles: MLB M. Franklin (3)

Kicking:
T. Jones
FG: 5/7 (long of 40)
50/50 PAT
36 Punts, 40.2 avg, 9 inside 20

New School Records

Brian Givens:
Passing Touchdowns (season): 31
Passing Yards (season): 3711
Passing Yards (game): 484

WR #87:
Receiving Yards (season): 1475
Receptions (season): 90
Receiving Yards (game): 301
Receptions (game): 17

N. Chambers:
Sacks (game): 4.0

SilverBullet19 · 12-22-2015, 04:12 AM

Here is the transcript of Coach Wright's post-season press conference:

Q: Do you feel good about the improvement to 4-8, considering Sonoma was 0-12 last season?

Well, of course 4-8 doesn't feel good, but I feel like we made big strides. No one likes to lose, and no one likes to post a losing record. That will never change regardless of the circumstances, but there was plenty to be proud of this season.

Q: What do you hope to improve on this offseason?

We need to work on depth across the board. We were really thin this year, and it hurt us a lot. The other thing we need to work on is our O-line. Brian was getting beat up in the pocket this season, he can't go through that again.

Q: How do you feel about Givens throwing so many interceptions? He's on pace to break the record.

There was a huge learning curve. I think the picks were a result of Brian really forcing passes, and poor protection. He got rid of a lot of passes to avoid getting sacked. I think he is still learning to throw the ball away. Next season will be much better with a stronger line and more experience. I'm not too concerned for him.

Q: The big news this season was that you only recruited in California. Do you plan to recruit outside the state this year?

We will play it by ear. At this point, no. I chose to do that for several reasons. I want people in our state, within our area, to be excited about our team. I want our players to be excited. If everyone is a Californian, then its almost like a home town team. It creates excitement for our kids and our community. Is it sustainable? No, but its a good jump start for our program to get a fan base and some excitement.

Q: With Just 4 wins, do you feel your job is in any danger?

Not at all. Mr. Franks has my back and I think we have made big strides here. A program is not built overnight.

Q: Are there any offseason changes you will be making in terms of training and coaching?

I have a few changes in mind. I want to get a good motivational saying for us. You know, some teams have "win the day" and things like that, like a battle cry. I think it would help our whole program push itself. I also want to work on endurance. We had guys getting too winded this year, we need to fix that.

Q: Do you have any changes in mind for the playbook?

Of course. A playbook is never finished, its constantly being altered to add things that work and take out what doesn't. It needs to be tailor made to the team every year.

Q: How do you plan to replace WR #87?

Thats a tough one. The kid was a great boost for us, not only because he put up yards, but because of his leadership and morale. In the long run, someone will step up. They won't be the same, but they will have their own impact that we will see.

Q: With FS CB #18 gone, who will call the defense?

It's likely going to be one of our linebackers. Going into spring ball any returning starter who wants it, will be given a shot to call the plays. Its a big task to be the leader, I won't hand it out to someone who doesn't earn it.

Q: Any coaching changes in mind?

No, we have a great staff. The only way it will change is if someone wants to leave.

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12-18-2015, 03:33 AM	#25
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	conference move for 2015 Sonoma State Announces Plan To Join C-USA in 2015 Rohnert Park, CA -- During halftime of their week 4 home matchup against Eastern Washington, Sonoma State athletic director Brian Franks announced the Seawolves had finally found a home. Sonoma State will join the C-USA as a football only member in 2015. The move comes at a perfect time, as Sonoma State has struggled to find opponents since the program was created. As of now, Sonoma had only one scheduled game for 2015 (Fresno State). "This is huge for scheduling" said Franks, "its going to make the offseason easier as we can focus on things other than filling a 12 game season." Sonoma State will no longer be a probationary FBS member next season, if they fulfill their requirements this year. That will make them eligible not only for a conference championship their first year in C-USA, but also bowl eligible if they can manage six wins. Sonoma will join the West Division of C-USA, bringing the conference to an even 14 teams. They will compete with Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, UTSA, Rice, and North Texas for the division crown. Sonoma is the only team in the conference west of Texas. The costs of the long travels should be offset by the shared income from the conference. "Some may complain about the cost of travels, but in reality we already spend so much more as an independent" said Franks. Head coach Scott Wright was pleased with the move. "Its great to have a home. When you're independent, you can get lost in a season. Now we will have a division title and conference title to work for, and that adds a lot of motivation" Wright said. "I look forward to building rivalries with some of these teams, I'm very excited" he finished. The announcement eased many worried minds. Sonoma had already applied for membership to the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences. The Mountain West denied their application, citing a need for a better winning tradition. The Sun Belt, well known for taking on newcomers, cited traveling costs as a main reason for turning down the school. Many feared it would be years until the Seawolves found a conference home, which would mean many added expenses. "After being turned down twice, we figured it would be best to apply to a conference looking to round out their divisions. C-USA was the clear choice having only 13 teams" Franks stated. C-USA provided a press release stating they were looking forward to the national notoriety they could experience with a California team in the mix. They also expressed the excitement of having a full 14 teams. editors note: I struggled to pick a conference for a while. Personally, I hate being an independent. If the WAC still existed I would have gone there. The MWC is a clear geographical choice...but they are too strong to take on a newbie. On top of that I have played a lot of dynasties in the MWC, so the competition is a bit stale. The Sun Belt takes on tons of newcomers...but the C-USA was a bit more geographically sound. It also made it an even 14 teams...which I felt would be a selling point for the conference to add a team. Being from CA, Sonoma gives the conference a wider audience. MJDrocks likes this. Last edited by SilverBullet19; 12-24-2015 at 04:01 AM.

12-18-2015, 05:35 AM	#26
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Games 4-6 Week 4: Sonoma State Vs. Eastern Washington Sonoma State (2-2) Sets Records in 49-17 Win The Seawolves breezed past the Eagles this week in a game that saw two record breaking performances. Brian Givens led an offense that put up a school record 49 points, and defensive tackle Nick Chambers recorded a record 4.0 sacks. Sonoma had a hot start, putting up 28 points in the first half. They went into the break up 28-10. After a quick fumble recovery, Givens hit WR #87 on a 46 yard TD to start off the third quarter. Givens was on pace for almost 600 passings yards, but Sonoma turned to the run in the second half to keep the clock moving. Givens would record 346 yards and just one interception. He turned to WR #87 often too. WR #87 racked up 193 yards on just 9 catches, averaging over 20 yards per catch. HB #22 had a breakout game. After amassing just 68 in the three previous games, he would run for 127 yards and averaged 7.9 per carry. He also caught a TD pass. The win convinced three recruits to verbally commit as well. Offensive Tackles Marcello Price (San Clemente, CA) and Robert Hollis (Manhattan Beach, CA) both announced via twitter they had chosen SSU. Defensive Tackle Norris Woods (Gardena, CA) announced his intent via Facebook, stating that he couldn't see himself anywhere else. Week 5: Sonoma State Vs. Army Sonoma (2-3) Falls to Army (4-0) At Home In the first sellout crowd at Seawolf Stadium, the Seawolves couldn't compete with an overpowering Army option attack. Army had four touchdowns of 30 yards or more in the contest. Sonoma rallied midway through, coming back from a 17 point deficit to take the lead 28-24. 5 turnover would end their chances of a comeback. The loss would make SSU's first home loss of the season. Although they sit at 2-3, they have still not earned a victory over an FBS opponent. "I saw a lot of good things...and a lot of bad things" said coach Wright when speaking of QB Brian Givens. Givens threw for a school record 484 yards and 4 TD, but threw 4 interceptions in the process. "He's a freshman...we have to remember that. Its easy to forget because he is so poised, but there will be growing pains" said Wright. Turnovers continue to be an issue for Sonoma State, as they lead the FBS in giveaways. They hope to turn it around next week at Arkansas State. Not all was lost in the week, as recruiting efforts still prove to be strong in wine country. Sonoma had five recruits verbally commit this week: 2* JUCO CB Isaac Johnson (Oakland, CA) 3* DE Tyler Alexander (Fullerton, CA) 1* JUCO QB Ron Bowman (Santa Rosa, CA) 1* FB Tyrone McQueen (Roseville, CA) 2* G George Givens (Apple Valley, CA) Week 6: Sonoma @ Arkansas State Sonoma State (2-4) Gets Rolled 42-14 By Arkansas state (2-3) Sonoma State struggled heavily against an Arkansas State team that apparently had something to prove. The Seawolves offense struggled, giving up 7 sacks to the Red Wolves in the contest. "Our line had a hard time. Make no mistake, they flat out beat us" said coach Wright. Givens was only able to muster 212 passing yards. The highlight of the game was a 68 yard run by HB #22 that set up a TD to put Sonoma on the board. They trailed 17-7 at that point. From there, it was a show by the Red Wolves. They shut down the Sonoma passing attack with ease, and running wasn't any better. Sonoma didn't cross midfield in the second half. The loss comes just before a tough trip to Stillwater to take on #15 Oklahoma State. "We've had a tough stretch, and its only getting tougher. If we can pull through this, we will come out strong" said Wright. Once again, the high note on the week was recruiting. It appears Wright has a knack for the job, as he picked up 4 more commitments. Sonoma State has given out 12 of their 25 scholarships at the midway point of the season. The highlight of the group this week was a 3* offensive guard Keenan Harris, who will likely see the field next season to help a weak line.

12-18-2015, 06:13 AM	#27
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Mid Season Update Despite Strong Start, Sonoma State Struggles After winning their opener against Portland State and putting Alabama on upset alert, it was looking as if Sonoma State would be a dangerous team this season. A blowout win against Eastern Washington only made it look more like a certainty. After back-to-back losses to Army and Arkansas State, however, Sonoma State has fallen off the map. "Its been tough. We've had rough competition and no bye weeks to help recover" said coach Wright. "I see more wins for us, we just need to turn it around." An upcoming trip to Stillwater to face the #15 Cowboys doesn't help matters. Despite the 2-4 record, Wright still seems to have full support from his school. "We've got two wins, which is exponentially more than last season" chuckled athletic direction Brian Franks. "Whats more important is that we have seen a lot of progress. The players have class, and you can see the will to win. That wasn't present last year" he continued. The improvements have been obvious. B. Givens has put up great passing numbers. In six games he has thrown for over 2100 yards in what has become a pass heavy offense. His 15 interceptions have been a major detriment. "Theres a learning curve, he will get there" Wright told reporters. His favorite target has emerged in WR #87, who has racked up almost 700 yards through the first half of the year. "His leadership has been important. WR #87 really picked up our offense quick. He understands it, so he can get open much easier." The running game has seen a boost as well. After gaining a total of 68 yards in their first three games, HB #22 averaged over 100 yards per game through the last three contests. His average has gone from 2.1 yards per carry to a very respectable 5.9. "Despite our losses, we have seen a lot of improvement" Wright pointed out. Sonoma has also seen a huge improvement in support as well. The Seawolves managed to have their first sellout crowd against Army, filling their 20,000 seat stadium. "Coach Wright has done a lot to get this community excited about football. He does a lot off the field, and he helps this program in a lot of ways" Franks said. Sonoma's Remaining Schedule 10-11: @ #15 Oklahoma State (2-1) 10-18: Vs. Colorado State (4-1) 10-25: Vs. Toledo (1-3) 11-01: @ Houston (4-1) 11-15: Vs. Wyoming (2-3) 11-29: @ Rice (2-3) Their strongest chances to win from here look to be Toledo, Wyoming, and Rice. Coach Wright likes his chances at home for two of those games. "I love home games. The foundation for success is to win at home. It all starts there, and were working on it. We're 2-1 at home, we need to keep building this foundation." Recruiting 12/25 scholarships awarded. All players unscouted 3* G Keenan Harris (Cathedral City, CA): 68 2* WR Chad Mathis (Modesto, CA): 58 2* WR Chad Thompson (Santee, CA): 62 1* P Shaun Garrison (Carson, CA): 65 2* JUCO CB Isaac Johnson (Oakland, CA): 79 3* DE Tyler Alexander (Fullerton, CA): 67 1* JUCO QB Ron Bowman (Santa Rosa, CA): 65 1* FB Tyrone McQueen (Roseville, CA): 66 2* G George Givens (Apple Valley, CA): 64 2* T Robert Hollis (Manhattan Beach, CA): 62 1* T Marcello Price (San Clemente, CA): 61 2* DT Norris Woods (Gardena, CA): 60 If recruiting is any indication, Sonoma could have a whole new set of starters on the O-Line next season. The full walk-on group has been struggling, and with four quality lineman commits its clearly been a focus. JUCO CB Isaac Johnson will hope to have an immediate impact for struggling defense. JUCO QB Ron Bowman was a commit to former coach Bobby Hill. He followed Hill to Santa Rosa Junior College, and has accepted a scholarship to SSU for the second time now. Bowman has had a good season at SRJC, where he had thrown for 1,200 yards and run for another 200 so far. Although Givens has put up great numbers, he has turned the ball over at an alarming rate. That may open the door for Bowman to take over the QB spot. In either case, they are building depth at the position. Stats Passing: B. Givens: 125/195, 2110 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT, 170.1 QBR Rushing: HB #22: 64 carries, 383 yards, 5.9 avg, 5 TD B. Givens: 74 carries, 168 yards, 2.2 avg, 4 TD Receiving: WR #87: 33 rec, 678 yards, 6 TD T. Newberry: 26 rec, 396 yards, 3 TD D. McNeal: 23 rec, 475 yards, 5 TD HB #22: 18 rec, 180 yards, 1 TD E. McClellan: 17 rec, 269 yards, 2 TD Defensive Leaders: Tackles: MLB M. Franklin (46) Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin/DT L. Johnson (11 each) Sacks: DT N. Chambers/DT L. Johnson (7.0 each) Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2) Forced Fumbles: DT N. Chambers (2) Last edited by SilverBullet19; 12-22-2015 at 01:04 AM.

12-22-2015, 12:16 AM	#28
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Games 7-9 Week 7: Sonoma State @ #15 Oklahoma State Injuries Thwart Sonoma State (2-5) Comeback as they fall 45-21 to #15 Oklahoma State (3-1) Sonoma State showed flashes of greatness in a rough game against Oklahoma State. The Seawolves hung in there with the Cowboys, trailing just 28-21 going into the 4th quarter. A 17 point rally by the Cowboys sealed with a pick six closed the door on the Seawolves. Sonoma State came out strong, scoring on their first drive to take the lead 7-0. The defense had a great first half, and managed to rack up 7 sacks on the day. Missed opportunities and coverage breakdowns allowed the Cowboys to rack up big yards. "We had a few opportunities for interceptions and forcing punts that we didn't come through on," coach Wright told reporters, "and wouldn't you know it, they would get a major gain on the next play. We need to make our opportunities count." The loss was particularly taxing in terms of injuries. HB #22 went down in the 4th quarter with a strained shoulder. Although he was not effective running the ball, he did have five catches out of the backfield and two receiving touchdowns. Brian Givens had one of his better passing performances, going 26/39 for 264 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. His favorite target was clearly WR #87 who racked up 11 catches in the contest. Both interceptions were returned for touchdowns by SS #3, who seemed to have Givens' number all day. Givens went down with a chest injury in the 4th quarter as well, which saw Chase Crowder come in. By that time, Sonoma was down for the count and chose to run the ball to finish the game. "I wasn't interested in more injuries. We were down 24 at that point, its not worth the risk" said Wright. Both Givens and HB #22 are listed as "probable" going into their next game at home against Colorado State. Coach Wright hopes they can play and build off the success from this week. Week 8: Sonoma State Vs. Colorado State Sonoma State (3-5) Defeats Colorado State (5-2) For First Win Over FBS Opponent Marcus Franklin picks off QB #18 and runs it all the way back to secure the win A gutsy call on the Seawolves opening drive set the tone for the entire game. Facing 4th and 24 from the Colorado State 36, coach Wright elected to roll the dice instead of pooch punting. The result was a 28 yard gain that gave the Seawolves a 1st and goal, and ultimately a touchdown to take an early lead. "We had a play in mind for Newberry. He had been cold lately and it was a chance for him to shine. Both he and Givens came through" said Coach Wright. "You have to take your chances when you're the underdog." The Rams walked into wine country with confidence, boasting a 5-1 record and favored by 28 over the hometown Seawolves. Just sixty football minutes later, the Rams would be 5-2 and the Seawolves would have their first victory over an FBS opponent in program history. As 28 point underdogs, the Seawolves pulled off the biggest upset win in FBS this season. Sonoma State would never trail in front of their second sellout crowd of the season. They walked into the half up 21-7. The Rams scored on their opening possession of the third quarter, but Brian Givens and the Seawolves answered back to reclaim a 14 point advantage. It was the closest the heavily favored Rams would get. Givens had a stellar game, going 21/28 for 220 yards and two touchdowns. The Seawolves employed a short range passing attack that left the Rams looking confused. Givens only interception would come with 3:21 left in the fourth, trying to force a pass on 3rd and five. "We had a lot of time to strategize, which helped" said Wright. "With their slow paced offense, we could review each drive and really pick and choose what to do on the next one." Sonoma scored on every possession until the 4th quarter pick. Givens spread the ball around evenly, with five players having multiple catches. HB #22 continued to have a strong impact on the passing game, catching 6 passes for 60 yards while running for 51 on 12 carries. The defense was also a sight to behold, racking up six sacks in the game. The Rams had a shot at a comeback, until MLB Marcus Franklin picked off a 3rd and 8 pass and ran it back 58 yards for a touchdown. "At that moment, I lost it" said Wright, "because I knew it was ours. Our first FBS win. The fans were going wild, the kids were going crazy, it was great." With the win Sonoma improves to 3-1 at their brand new stadium. They face Toledo again at home next week, and hope for another big crowd. "We've been giving people what they want at home, wins!" said Athletic Director Brian Franks. "Its what we need. Hopefully the crowd comes in for another." Week 9: Sonoma State Vs. Toledo Sonoma State (4-5) Makes Goal Line Stand To Defeat Toledo 31-23 As the saying goes, there's no place like home. Sonoma State fought back against a heavily favored Toledo team to secure their second straight win. Sonoma struggled to move the ball early. After a touchdown on their opening drive, they found themselves punting three straight times. They trailed 20-7 in the 2nd. It was looking like Toledo would make it a 27-7 lead, until a pick by FS CB #18 in the red zone pumped life into the team. The offense would drive down the field with Givens hitting McNeal for two consecutive touchdowns to take the lead 21-20. Coach Wright successfully iced K #85, who missed a 57 yard kick wide left going into halftime. Toledo answered in the 3rd with a quick field goal, but Sonoma again would answer back, with HB #22 taking it in from 12 yards out. CB #4 quickly picked off QB #7 on the following drive, setting up a Sonoma field goal. Toledo made a drive late in the game, but MLB M. Franklin forced a fumble as QB #7 scrambled. Sonoma would recover it at their own six. Givens remained perfect until late in the 4th. He went 23/37 for 291 and 3 touchdowns, hitting 8 different receivers in the process. WR #87 was the clear leader with 10 receptions for 135 yards. After leaving the game with a sprained ankle, Givens would come back and throw a late pick that allowed Toledo a run at the game. After allowing Toledo to drive inside the 10 yard line with 1:00 to go, the defense embraced the "bend, but don't break" mentality. D. Myers was able to force WR #19 out of bounds at the four, clinching the win for the Seawolves. "We've had rough games. The past couple have really shown how our team has grown this season" said Coach Wright. "They have improved so much, and its become obvious." Sonoma State has played strong at home. In the last two games they have only had two turnovers total, their lowest numbers of the season. "We're doing a much better job of taking care of the ball, which is key to winning" said Wright. Sonoma improves to 4-1 at home on the season and will travel to Houston next week. Givens is listed as "probable" with his ankle injury.

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12-22-2015, 01:19 AM	#29
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Late Season Updates Sonoma State Proves To Be Competetive After dropping to 2-5 on the season, the Seawolves rallied at home for their first two wins against FBS opponents. Sonoma State improved to 4-5 last week with a win a win over Toledo. The Seawolves have posted over thirty points in each of their last two games, bringing their season average to 30.7 points per game. They rank 34th in the nation in that category. Although Sonoma has five losses, they have been to solid competition. Three of the losses are to currently ranked teams (#5 Michigan (7-1), #10 Alabama (7-2), and #18 Army (8-0)). The five teams post a combined record of 29-9. "We picked quality competition, so naturally we will have some trouble with them. In the long run it has clearly made our team better" said Athletic Director Brian Franks. After numerous turnovers, the Seawolves have found solid ground in the past two games. Freshman quarterback Brian Givens has been taking care of the ball much better, throwing only one interception in each game. "He has made big strides. If he keeps this confidence, he could make it to the NFL" Coach Wright told reporters. Although that would be years away, Givens would be the first NFL prospect from Sonoma State since Larry Allen. Sonoma has continued to lean on their high powered passing attack. Brian Givens is quickly approaching the 3000 yard mark, leading the nation with 2885 passing yards. WR #87 will almost certainly eclipse the 60 catch and 1000 yard milestones next week against Houston. The running game has sputtered, but HB #22 has made his impact in other ways. He has snagged over thirty catches out of the backfield and come on strong in the past few games. "He knew running would be tough this year," Coach Wright explained, "so he really worked hard on other ways to have an impact out of the backfield. He has great dedication to helping the team." Sonoma State has built strong home following during the season. The 20,000 stadium has sold out each of the last three home games. That has directly resulted in offseason plans to add end zone seating, which reportedly will raise the stadium capacity to about 30,000 and enclose the field. "It is a huge help to win at home like we have been. It draws more people in and allows us to make a football game a bigger and better experience," quoted AD Brian Franks. Sonoma has just three remaining games on the season, with one home matchup. They have made it through the toughest part of their season and have managed to keep all their players relatively healthy. "We have been banged up, but everyone is active," said Coach Wright. Brian Givens has gone down with minor injuries the last two games, but is expected to play. They have two bye weeks through their final three games, which should allow time for players to heal and rest. Remaining Games 11-1 @ Houston (4-2) 11-15 Vs. Wyoming (4-4) 11-29 @ Rice (2-6) Recruiting 18/25 Scholarships awarded. All players unscouted Commits since last update: 3* FB Jeremy Thomas (Irvine, CA): 73 2* TE Matt Gray (Whittier, CA): 56 3* OLB Ryan Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA): 68 2* K Sean Bentley (South Whittier, CA): 74 2* SS Tyrone Steele (Dana Point, CA): 61 1* JUCO SS Lukas Williams (Highland, CA) 65 Sonoma State has had a strong recruiting presence in southern California, and they have secured several quality recruits. Through this point in the season, they a 4 3* commits, 9 2* commits, and 5 1* commits. Its good enough to rank #16 in the nation thus far. They look to award all 25 scholarships this year. Stats Passing: B. Givens: 195/299, 2885 yards, 25 TD, 19 INT, 161.2 QBR Rushing: HB #22: 95 carries, 492 yards, 5.1 avg, 7 TD B. Givens: 122 carries, 324 yards, 2.6 avg, 6 TD Receiving: WR #87: 59 rec, 973 yards, 7 TD T. Newberry: 33 rec, 464 yards, 3 TD HB #22: 31 rec, 295 yards, 4 TD D. McNeal: 30 rec, 568 yards, 7 TD E. McClellan: 28 rec, 393 yards, 2 TD Defensive Leaders: Tackles: MLB M. Franklin (65) Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin (16) Sacks: DT N. Chambers/DT L. Johnson (9.0 each) Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2) Forced Fumbles: DT N. Chambers (2) Kicking: T. Jones FG: 1/2 (32 yards) 39/39 PAT 21 Punts, 38.8 avg, 5 inside 20

12-22-2015, 03:34 AM	#30
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Re: The Resurrection of Sonoma State Week 10: Sonoma State @ Houston Houston (5-2) Breezes Past Sonoma State (4-6) 55-28 The turnover bug hit Sonoma hard again this week, with freshman quarterback Brian Givens giving the ball up three times in the loss to Houston. Sonoma Stated off hot, with a 57 yard touchdown pass to WR #87 to open things up. The Houston defense quickly locked it down, holding Sonoma to less than 50 yards on the ground. The Sonoma defense never stood a chance against the high powered Houston offense. The Cougars had 11 plays of over 20 yards, and scored 4 touchdowns from outside the Sonoma 30 yard line. The Seawolves looked fatigued throughout the game. Coach Wright looks forward to them getting a week off before facing off against Wyoming. "We've played two or three more games than most teams at this point. All our bye weeks are here at the finish. These kids are tired, they need some rest," said Wright. With two games to go, Sonoma is in a position to reach the .500 mark by the end of their season. With just Wyoming and Rice left to play, they have a decent shot at reaching the goal. Especially considering they have a bye week between each game. Sonoma is not eligible for a bowl game this season, but an even record would be a landmark achievement. Week 12: Sonoma State Vs. Wyoming Givens Goes Down As Sonoma State (4-7) Falls to Wyoming (6-5) 38-6 Wyoming became bowl eligible with the win in Sonoma this weekend. The game was a bust after SSU quarterback Brian Givens left in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. Sonoma was already trailing 24-3 at the time. Wyoming came out firing on all cylinder, accumulating 24 points in the opening quarter. Givens was 8/21 before he left the game. Walk on Chase Crowder had a rough time through the rest of the game, going 1/8 with an interception. The Seawolves went 3-and-out seven times through the game and only managed 124 yards of offense. The loss prevents Sonoma from reaching the .500 mark for the year. They will travel back to Houston in two weeks to face Rice in the season finale. Early reports indicate Brian Givens will be able to play in the game. Week 14: Sonoma State @ Rice Rice (3-9) Spoils Sonoma (4-8) Comeback, Wins 59-55 In a wild west style shootout Rice held on to win 59-55 after a late push by the Sonoma State Seawolves. The future division rivals lit up the scoreboard and the skies all day, in a game where the defenses both forgot to show up. Brian Givens went 27/42 for 416 yard before leaving with a concussion in the third. Chase Crowder stepped in and immediately threw a pick six. He recovered to go 14/23 for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns. Injuries rattled Sonoma State early. Daniel McNeal left early in the 2nd with a separated shoulder. WR #87 would amass 17 receptions for 301 yards (both school records) before leaving early in the 4th with a sprained ankle. Despite the injuries, Sonoma State made a late run at it. They scored 21 in the 4th to take the lead 55-52 with 26 seconds left. Two long passed put Rice in the end zone quick and deflated the Seawolves. Luckily for Sonoma, the injuries came in the last game of the season. With so little depth, CB #18, CB #4, and Murphy were playing both sides of the ball in the 4th. Last edited by SilverBullet19; 12-22-2015 at 05:13 PM.

12-22-2015, 03:54 AM	#31
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Season Wrap-Up End of 2014 Season Sonoma State Shows Big Improvements in 2nd Season Sonoma State managed four wins in their second season of FBS play. They also managed to set multiple school records. Freshman quarterback Brian Givens would set a school record, throwing for 3711 yards and 31 touchdowns. WR #87 also set numerous records for receiving yards and catches during the season. The records signified vast improvements from the 0-12 campaign the season before. "We are really happy with the direction the program is going. Obviously we want more wins, but we are starting off on the right foot," AD Brian Franks told reporters. Sonoma State will enter the offseason with 21 recruits already committed. It should make offseason recruiting much easier for them with so much already taken care of. Stats Passing: B. Givens: 253/400, 3711 yards, 31 TD, 24 INT, 154.8 QBR Rushing: HB #22: 114 carries, 543 yards, 4.7 avg, 7 TD B. Givens: 152 carries, 370 yards, 2.4 avg, 8 TD Receiving: WR #87: 90 rec, 1475 yards, 11 TD T. Newberry: 46 rec, 658 yards, 4 TD HB #22: 39 rec, 356 yards, 4 TD D. McNeal: 37 rec, 637 yards, 7 TD E. McClellan: 37 rec, 2538 yards, 2 TD Defensive Leaders: Tackles: ROLR Deon Harper (87) Tackle For Loss: MLB M. Franklin/DT L. Johnson (18 each) Sacks: DT DT L. Johnson (11.0) Interceptions: CB B. Macklin (2) Forced Fumbles: MLB M. Franklin (3) Kicking: T. Jones FG: 5/7 (long of 40) 50/50 PAT 36 Punts, 40.2 avg, 9 inside 20 New School Records Brian Givens: Passing Touchdowns (season): 31 Passing Yards (season): 3711 Passing Yards (game): 484 WR #87: Receiving Yards (season): 1475 Receptions (season): 90 Receiving Yards (game): 301 Receptions (game): 17 N. Chambers: Sacks (game): 4.0 Last edited by SilverBullet19; 12-23-2015 at 06:38 AM.

12-22-2015, 04:12 AM	#32
SilverBullet19 MVP OVR: 0 Join Date: Oct 2015	Post Season Press Conference Here is the transcript of Coach Wright's post-season press conference: Q: Do you feel good about the improvement to 4-8, considering Sonoma was 0-12 last season? Well, of course 4-8 doesn't feel good, but I feel like we made big strides. No one likes to lose, and no one likes to post a losing record. That will never change regardless of the circumstances, but there was plenty to be proud of this season. Q: What do you hope to improve on this offseason? We need to work on depth across the board. We were really thin this year, and it hurt us a lot. The other thing we need to work on is our O-line. Brian was getting beat up in the pocket this season, he can't go through that again. Q: How do you feel about Givens throwing so many interceptions? He's on pace to break the record. There was a huge learning curve. I think the picks were a result of Brian really forcing passes, and poor protection. He got rid of a lot of passes to avoid getting sacked. I think he is still learning to throw the ball away. Next season will be much better with a stronger line and more experience. I'm not too concerned for him. *Q: The big news this season was that you only* recruited in California. Do you plan to recruit outside the state this year? We will play it by ear. At this point, no. I chose to do that for several reasons. I want people in our state, within our area, to be excited about our team. I want our players to be excited. If everyone is a Californian, then its almost like a home town team. It creates excitement for our kids and our community. Is it sustainable? No, but its a good jump start for our program to get a fan base and some excitement. Q: With Just 4 wins, do you feel your job is in any danger? Not at all. Mr. Franks has my back and I think we have made big strides here. A program is not built overnight. Q: Are there any offseason changes you will be making in terms of training and coaching? I have a few changes in mind. I want to get a good motivational saying for us. You know, some teams have "win the day" and things like that, like a battle cry. I think it would help our whole program push itself. I also want to work on endurance. We had guys getting too winded this year, we need to fix that. Q: Do you have any changes in mind for the playbook? Of course. A playbook is never finished, its constantly being altered to add things that work and take out what doesn't. It needs to be tailor made to the team every year. Q: How do you plan to replace WR #87? Thats a tough one. The kid was a great boost for us, not only because he put up yards, but because of his leadership and morale. In the long run, someone will step up. They won't be the same, but they will have their own impact that we will see. Q: With FS CB #18 gone, who will call the defense? It's likely going to be one of our linebackers. Going into spring ball any returning starter who wants it, will be given a shot to call the plays. Its a big task to be the leader, I won't hand it out to someone who doesn't earn it. Q: Any coaching changes in mind?** No, we have a great staff. The only way it will change is if someone wants to leave.

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The Resurrection of Sonoma State