Coach Pat Hill's Bulldogs featured the nation's No. 8 rushing offense, and also ranked among the top 20 in total offense and scoring offense last season.
But Fresno State barely made the top 100 in total defense, ranking 98th. Fresno had an epecially tough time stopping the run, yielding 214.1 yards per game to rank 111th of 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
Will the 'D' be any better in 2010? Well, it'll have to be if Fresno wants to improve on last year's 8-5 campaign. Although the Bulldogs return eight starters on offense, FBS rushing leader Ryan Mathews has moved on to the NFL's San Diego Chargers.
The Bulldogs also have eight starters back on defense, but it goes without saying that the unit will need to be more efficient in 2010. Another daunting schedule includes home matchups with Cincinnati, Nevada and Illinois, as well as road tilts with Mississippi and powerful conference rival Boise State.
So there won't be much margin for error if Fresno State is to gain a bowl bid for the fourth consecutive season.
The Fresno State Rushing Attack
First on the agenda is replacing Mathews and his 150.7 rushing yards per game. Among the candidates is sophomore Robbie Rouse, who was effective as the top backup last season.
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound Rouse (479 yards, 4 TDs) can't be expected to carry as heavy of a load as the 220-pound Mathews, but he should have help from fellow sophomore Michael Harris (5-11, 200) and A.J. Ellis (5-11, 180).
The 2010 recruiting class, meanwhile, includes impressive runners like E.J. Schexnayder and Edward Dillihunt. But Dillihunt could end up being a receiver or DB.
Helping immensely will be an offensive line that returns all five starters — Bryce Harris, Devan Cunningham, Joe Bernardi, Andrew Jackson and Kenny Wiggins. Fullback Reynard Kamp has departed, but tight end Vince Pascoe returns.
The Fresno State Passing Game
Ryan Colburn returns to lead the offense after an up-and-down 2009. Colburn completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 2,459 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first season as starter. But he also threw 11 interceptions.
Waiting in the wings is sophomore Derek Carr, who could make a larger push for playing time in 2010. Speedy Ebahn Feathers, who saw only sporadic action last seasons, has transferred to a nearby community college.
The Bulldogs will have to replace top receiver Seyi Ajirotutu — who signed a free-agent contract with the Chargers — as well as Chastin West and Marlon Moore. But the Bulldogs have a deep group of wideouts led by Jamel Hamler.
Fresno will seek a breakthrough season from Devon Wylie, whose 40-yard dash times of 4.25 and 4.27 are reported to the fastest in program history.
The Fresno State Defense and Special Teams
Fresno needs a serious upgrade defensively. The Bulldogs' struggles vs. the run last season were compounded by a rather impotent pass rush. Of the 120 FBS teams, FSU ranked 119th with only 11 sacks in 13 games. Also, the Bulldogs forced only 15 turnovers, tying for 111th in the FBS.
On the upside, defensive end Chris Carter — who supplied five of those sacks in addition to 13.5 tackles for loss — is among the returning players. And linebacker Ben Jacobs, who was the Bulldogs' runaway leader in tackles with 106 — will again man the inside.
The well-seasoned unit also brings back veterans like defensive backs Desia Dunn and Lorne Bell, linebacker Kyle Knox, and defensive linemen Chris Lewis and Cornell Banks. Big things will be expected from sophomore outside linebacker Travis Brown. Ditto for tack;e Logan Harrell and 6-5, 260-pound defensive end Donavaughn Pritchett — a four-star junior college recruit who redshirted last season.
Fresno's placekicking should be in fine hands with Kevin Goessling, who missed just one of 16 field goal attempts last season. And Wylie gives the Bulldogs an experienced punt returner. But highly respected special teams coach John Baxter has bolted to USC.
The Fresno State Schedule
Fresno State kicks off its season Sept. 4 at home vs. Cincinnati, which went to the Orange Bowl and the Sugar Bowl in its last two seasons. After a two-week break, the Bulldogs then open Western Athletic Conference play on the road Sept. 18, vs. Utah State,
The Bulldogs travel to MIssissippi for a Sept. 25 game, and play host to Cal Poly in non-conference game Oct. 2. Then the WAC campaign gets into the full swing with Fresno facing Hawaii at home (Oct.. 9), New Mexico State at home (Oct. 16), San Jose State on the road (Oct. 23) and Louisiana Tech on the road (Nov. 6).
Fresno faces its toughest conference foes on consecutive weeks — a home matchup with Nevada on Nov. 13 and a road battle with Boise State on Nov. 19. Boise State and Nevada were picked to finish first and second in the WAC preseason coaches poll, with Fresno State third.
After meeting upstart Idaho at home in a conference finale Nov. 27, the Bulldogs stay in Fresno to meet Illinois in non-conference action Dec. 3.
Jon Matsune - Jon Matsune is a free-lance writer based in Northern California. He has 25 years of experience in newspaper journalism, mostly as a sports ...
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