It's almost here!

August is just around the corner and that means one thing (besides 100+ degree temperatures in Fresno)....... COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!

I am very excited to see what is in store for the 2009 edition of the gridiron 'Dogs (by the way what is the deal with Washington and Georgia spelling dogs ... dawgs???). It is my hope that the fans of Fresno will continue to come out and support the football program. I know, as a lifelong Bulldog fan, that year in and year out they never seem to reach their full potential but that doesn't mean that Bulldog Stadium has to be half empty on Saturdays.

I believe that it is very important that our fans come out to support the university and the players who represent our community. It would be a tremendous show of support for Fresno State, the city of Fresno and our whole valley if we had Bulldog Stadium packed out every Saturday.

Now I understand that we are in tough economic times and not everyone can afford to take their families out to a college football game but those of us who can should be out supporting our team. Those who have season tickets and know they wont be going to certain games should try and give their tickets to people who will use them.

I hope I am not coming off sounding self-righteous but I have a love for our community and for Fresno State and I just want to see Bulldog Stadium filled with red (not that crazy black-out crap they tried in '07 against Boise State) Aaaahhhhh college football is almost here.....its a great time of year!!

Bray could set Fresno State at QB for most of decade

Intriguing. Can Fresno State keep another huge local talent home and bolster the quarterback position for, possibly, the next 6 years?

Possible it is. Kingsburgh High's Tyler Bray was reportedly offered a scholarship and is quickly becoming one of California's most sought-after slingers. And if he follows in Derek Carr's (Bakersfield Christian High) footsteps and helps paint the Valley Bulldog Red, Fresno State will have by far it's deepest and most exciting group of young QBs ever.

Arguably, the Bulldogs already do have their most depth at the position ever with junior Ryan Colburn (Central Valley Christian High), redshirt freshman Ebahn Feathers (Washington Union High) and Carr. Adding Bray to the mix next year would seal the deal at the most important position on the field. Especially if Bray is willing to wait his turn behind Carr/Feathers, by possibly greyshirting and redshirting (as Tom Brandstater and Paul Pinegar did in years past before earning starring roles).

Amazing that all four QBs would be Valley products if Bray does indeed commit to becoming a 'Dog.

From upbeat to letdown

Upon arriving at San Jose State's campus Saturday -- after a not-so-short trek around dowtown San Jose trying to find where the heck it was (GPS couldn't even get it right) -- we spent two hours hanging around campus.

A few observations:

• Lots of students were wandering around campus at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon (kinda strange considering every single restaurant and the bowling alley was closed).
• A whole lot of people where random college sweatshirts (we saw Virginia, Kansas, USC, Wyoming, Oregon, etc.)
• A Spartans football player, after seeing the four of us decked out in Bulldog Red, could only smile and say, "Fresno State, huh?"
• While the upstairs doors to The Event Center (yes, it's literally called The Event Center) remained locked until exactly one hour before game time.
• Luckily, the doors downstairs near the "Sport Club" remain unlocked. So we walked right in with no other fans in sight and stood on the arena floor as a trickling of Spartans warmed up. The only comments we heard were from an assistant coach (who saw our clothes and said, "That's some cold s&*$," and a trainer who after seeing four people said, "Looks like we're gonna have a big crowd tonight."

The big crowd comment made us laugh, since he was seemingly poking fun at the sad state of affairs that is San Jose State sports. That had us somewhat upbeat, despite the Fresno State hoopsters' poor start to the WAC season. The big letdown came after Adrian Oliver scored 29 points and San Jose State completed a sweep of the 'Dogs for the first time since 1991.

For you Red Wavers who haven't yet seen Oliver play, think offensive talent comparable to Jaycee Carroll (only not as good from the perimeter). A comparison to Courtney Alexander might even be appropriate in that Oliver can also excel creating his own shots. But, the biggest thing that stood out, is what a trash talker Oliver is. It's hard to even respect a guy who looks his opponent in the face and runs his mouth after literally every basket. Red Wave, get ready to add Oliver (who is a Valley traitor from Modesto) to your least favorite players ever list that probably already includes guys like Carl English, Michael Ruffin, Anthony Carter, Greg Harrington, Coby Karl, Darius Songalia (just because he got away with a game-winning goaltend) and others.

One last takeaway, the "Spartan Thunder" students committed a fan blunder with the weak, no-creativity chant of "O'Neil sucks" every time Dwight O'Neil touched the ball. (He finished with a game-high 21 points, 19 in the second half). And the Spartan band is foolish with its repetitive chant of "Fresno inmates." Quick, someone ask the Spartan band what it's favorite chant for the football team's Coye Francies was...?

Grading the No. 21 'Dogs (3-1) at UCLA (1-3)

Quarterbacks: A-
Watching game film shows just how much game control and confidence Brandstater had while enduring big hit after big hit; after slow start (including batted pass that was intercepted) he was unstoppable.

Running Backs: A
Against possibly the best defensive front the 'Dogs have faced, Mathews rips UCLA for 166 yards and adds a 25-yard TD catch highlighted by his hurdle of an ex-Edison High player.

Receivers: A
How can you give 'em anything else the way they stepped up with injuries to Wylie, Crawley and now Moore? West looked better than he ever has with 5 catches for 69 yards and a TD, Ajirotutu had 5 for 67 and Bear Pascoe 5 for 33 and a TD. But the biggest catch of the day was true freshman Evans for a first down on 3rd and 4.

Offensive Line: B
Too many false starts and holds, but outmanned UCLA in the running game (team averaged 5.2 per carry). Though he took some hits, Brandstater was able to stay in the pocket most of the game.

Defensive Line: C
Monga's absence hurt, but Harrell showed great growth and Stuart and Lewis both had their best games as Bulldogs.Rebounded after poor first quarter, but was only good in spurts. Lost containment too many times in fourth quarter and allowed far too many rushing yards by the opposing QB Craft. Roughing the passer call on Banks was mighty questionable.

Linebackers: C+
Carter is officially a stud at the position and led the team with 10 tackles. He is aggressive, fast and all over the field. Jacobs had a surprisingly quiet game and got tangled up by a pulling guard on a key play or two.

Defensive Backs: A
Made Bruins wideouts work hard for catches and held the passing game at bay for the most part. Haynes saw increased playing time and stood out again. Replays showed Harding might very well have been robbed of an interception, and Owens' interception was negated by an iffy roughing penalty on Banks.

Special Teams: D
Kick/punt coverage was so bad the unit can't get higher than a D. Plus Jefferson botched his only return opportunity. Moore provided the biggest highlight with a 63-yard TD return on UCLA's first punt less than a minute into the game.

Spread the word, and spread it good

Wisconsin at FRESNO STATE this Saturday. It's the biggest game in Bulldog Stadium history. Let's make sure the Red Wave does it right.

The No. 1 key most important item on the checklist is this -- make sure you, and everyone within earshot of you, is INSIDE Bulldog Stadium at least 30 minutes before kickoff. Be LOUD and PROUD from the get-go. We know the Red Wave will be at full strength for this one, but let's greet the 'Dogs with a packed house as soon as they hit the field for warmups. (And it won't hurt to get a raucous FRES-NO STATE chant going either as the Badgers are walking down the Red Mile...

Interesting Bark Board question posed...

Over on the Bark Board there's talk of who are the "best high school products from the Valley"...?

Well, let's spin it a little differently over here. Since this is about Fresno State sports, let's talk who are the best Valley high school athletes who went on to play for Fresno State?

Chime in with your thoughts on your alma mater and we'll keep a running list as we go...