In memory of Dan Brown

It was a tough weekend to be a Bulldog. For lots of people. And that's because, seemingly, Dan Brown touched so very many in his 12 years in Fresno, and one can only assume everywhere he's been before.

The Fresno State defensive coordinator, at 50 years old, died on Friday. And to hear former players such as Marcus Riley today on ESPN 1430 and Jason Shirley, Alan Goodwin and Ahijah Lane in The Fresno Bee talk of Brown, one really gets a sense of what kind of guy he was. What kind of mentor he was. The type of coach he was.

Brown leaves behind his wife and six children, including Fresno State linebacker Eric Brown, who saw extensive special teams action in 2007, and incoming high-profile linebacker Travis Brown. The Fresno community will miss Dan Brown a great deal. And I think the Bulldog Bounce speaks for all Red Wavers by wishing the Brown family all our best. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We leave you with the words of Jack Fertig, the former Fresno State director of basketball operations under Jerry Tarkanian. A recent Fertig blog captured a bit more of Brown's personality from one master of whit to another.

I don't like having peripheral vision...

I want to be able to concentrate on the fun part of college sports. The family. The friends. The games. The stats. The football team's good grades. Marcus Riley knocking Colt Brennan out cold, making him fumble, Chris Carter scoring a touchdown and none of it counting (but that's a whole 'nother topic).

Anyway, I'm tired of seeing all the scandalous parts of the games out of the corner of my eyes. Sometimes I wish I didn't have that peripheral vision.

When I turn on the Ch. 47 news and the first three stories aired involve scandal within the Fresno State athletic department, it upsets me. Doesn't it you?

Great news! Jason Shirley appealed his season-long suspension and was granted a return to the team. But does he deserve it? It's up to the courts what his punishment will be, and court is becoming an all-to-common site of Fresno State news these days.

The next story aired was about b-ball Kentucky transfer Rekalin Sims, a post player who will no doubt make a major impact if he ever suits up for the 'Dogs, but was reportedly arrested and is being investigated to see how/if he's connected to the robbery of a "handicapped" man. Now, the one time that I've met Rekalin, he took the initiative to approach us and introduce himself by name and say he's glad to meet us and looking forward to playing for Fresno State. Polite guy. More than most. Let's just say if I had to guess which of the b-ball players were most likely to have a legal issue, I would have pegged Sims more like Tyson Parker than Terry Pettis.

Speaking of Terry Pettis, his deposition has been the talk of the town as the Stacy Johnson-Klein lawsuit drags on. That was the third story on tonight's news.

You know, this whole bad-publicity-is-better-than-no-publicity idea is cute, but what happens when it takes so long to report the bad publicity that we run out of time to talk or think about anything else?

Game Preview: Fresno State (4-2, 3-0) vs. San Jose State (3-4, 1-2)

Quarterbacks
Right now, Fresno State junior Tom Brandstater (6-5, 220) is doing everything he needs to to get the job done. He’s not putting up huge passing numbers, but he’s efficient, completing 60% of his passes for 1,116 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

On the other hand, San Jose State’s Adam Tafralis (6-2, 219) has to air it out to give the Spartans the best chance to win. He’s completed 65.7% of his throws for 1,663 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Tafralis threw 3 picks in last week’s soggy 42-35 overtime loss to Hawaii. Backups junior Jordan LaSecla (6-3, 198), Sean Flynn (6-4, 220) and sophomore Myles Eden (6-0, 182) have each seen action in multiple games this season.
Edge: Spartans

Running Backs
Sophomore Lonyae Miller (5-11, 215) and true freshman Ryan Mathews (5-11, 205) are getting scarier and scarier for opposing teams each week. Miller led the Bulldogs with 18 carries for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns at Idaho last week, while Mathews added 67 yards and two more scores. On the year, Mathews leads the team with 452 yards and 7 touchdowns, while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Miller has 360 yards and 5 touchdowns with 4.4 yards per carry. And don’t forget the most versatile weapon of them all Clifton Smith, who has 168 yards and 3 scores on the ground (6 yards per carry) with 177 yards receiving (11.1 per catch). Coach Pat Hill said on his weekly radio show that fullback Nate Adams (5-11, 240) was the offensive MVP against Idaho without ever touching the ball. And watch for sophomore tailback Anthony Harding (6-0, 215), who has 113 yards and 2 scores, to see more time at fullback this week because of a loaded backfield.

The Bulldogs’ strength is the Spartans’ weakness. The running game has been sad at best, with San Jose State averaging 2 yards per carry as a team with Yonus Davis, who rushed for 1,007 yards in 2006, and Patrick Perry out with injuries. Jacob French (5-10, 205) leads the team with 132 yards on 45 carries and James T. Callier (6-0, 220) has 131 yards and 3 touchdowns on 52 attempts.
Edge: Bulldogs

Receivers
Junior tight end Bear Pascoe (6-5, 260) was back in the mix at Idaho with 6 catches for 69 yards. Pascoe leads the team with 24 receptions for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sophomore Marlon Moore (6-1, 185), who’s been out with injury for the past 2 ½ games but returned to practice, will be a big boost if he can return this week. He remains second on the team with 193 yards.Sophomore Seyi Ajirotutu (6-3, 205) has quietly developed into the team’s deep threat with 9 catches for 174 yards (19.3 yards per grab). And sophomore Jason Crawley (6-1, 185) is the possession receiver with 14 catches for 108 yards and is the only Bulldogs’ wideout with a touchdown.

The Spartans have plenty of guys racking up stats, with three receivers with as many or more receptions as Fresno State’s leader. Junior Kevin Jurovich, who had 117 yards against Hawaii, leads the team with 44 catches for 638 yards and 5 scores. JC junior transfer David Richmond (6-4, 200) has 34 grabs for 472 yards and 3 touchdowns, and running back French has 24 catches for 216 yards and a score. Big sophomore Jalal Beauchman (6-4, 220) has 122 yards on 18 receptions.
Edge: Spartans

Offensive Line
Fresno State had a shaky start with injuries to All-WAC Cole Popovich and Adam McDowell (season). They’re still out, but the line has solidified with redshirt freshmen Joe Bernardi (6-3, 280) and Andrew Jackson (6-5, 290) stepping in. The way Ryan Wendell (6-2, 285) has played since sliding over from center to left guard, he might be the WAC’s best up front. The team has given up just one sack in the past two games and plowed the way for a team average of 4.6 yards per carry.

San Jose State’s line is filled with youth, with three true freshmen starting in left tackle Fred Koloto (6-3, 290), left guard Isaac Leatiota (6-4, 295) and right guard Moa Ngatuvai (6-2, 303). The team has given up 13 sacks this year – one more than Fresno State gave up all of last season.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Line
NFL-bound tackle Jason Shirley remains suspended indefinitely, but end Tyler Clutts (6-2, 245) and junior tackle Jon Monga (6-2, 280) should have their way with the Spartans’ inexperienced line. Clutts and Monga are tied for the WAC lead with 5 sacks apiece. Charles Tolbert (5-11, 265) had 5 tackles (1 for loss) and a forced fumble last week.

Though listed as a reserve, sophomore end Carl Ihenacho (6-3, 245) leads the team with 4 sacks and 5 tackles for losses. Junior end Jarron Gilbert (6-6, 280) has 22 tackles (4 for losses) with 2 sacks. If this group can’t stop the run up front, the Spartans could be in trouble.
Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers
The Marcus Riley and Ben Jacobs show continues in Fresno State’s bend-but-don’t-break defense that is allowing teams to score red zone touchdowns just 50% of the time (13 of 26). Riley (6-2, 220) is making a case for WAC defensive player of the year with a team-high 58 tackles (7 for losses) and 2 forced fumbles. Redshirt freshman Jacobs (6-3, 225) is second with 48 tackles (3 for losses). Sophomore Quaadir Brown (6-2, 215) is the fastest of the group and capable of being the impact player any given day.

Matt Castelo (5-10, 228) is the leader of the defense with a team-high 71 tackles (7.5 for losses) and an interception. Demetrius Jones (6-1, 230) is second with 67 tackles. Expect these two guys to be helping to stack the box against Fresno State’s run on Saturday.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Backs
The Bulldogs remain the only team in the country without an interception. But so far this year, they’ve given up very few big-play passes, holding opponents to 184.8 yards per game. The ‘Dogs know they can rely on a couple of safeties to deliver big hits in sophomore Moses Harris (6-1, 200) and redshirt freshman Lorne Bell (5-10, 195).

The strength of the Spartans’ defense lies here. Junior corner Christopher Owens (5-10, 170) leads the team with 4 interceptions and is third with 52 tackles. All-WAC corner Dwight Lowery (6-1, 185) has 3 picks after finishing with 9 last season. Junior safety Jonathan Harris (6-0, 190) also has 3 picks, after swiping 2 against Hawaii.
Edge: Spartans

Special Teams
Spartans coach Dick Tomey calls this the strength of Fresno State’s team. Kicker Clint Stitser finally put together a solid 3 for 4 performance in Idaho and Kyle Zimmerman averages 41.5 yards per punt. But the biggest threat might be sophomore corner A.J. Jefferson (5-11, 180), who leads the nation with 33.3 yards per kick return. And don’t forget about Clifton Smith, one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners. And don’t forget the ‘Dogs are one of the best kick-blocking teams in the country, as usual, with three this season.

San Jose State has struggled mightily in the kicking game, Jared Strubeck is 2 for 9 on field goals and Will Johnson is 0 for 1. Punter Waylon Prather averages 39.3 yards. Dwight Lowery is dangerous on punts, averaging 16.2 yards per return – with an 84-yard touchdown return.
Edge: Bulldogs

Coaching
It’s too close to call here. Pat Hill has established Fresno State as one of the most powerful non-BCS conference programs around, and looks to have the ‘Dogs headed in the right direction after last season’s stunning 4-8 record. The ‘Dogs have already matched that win total this year. But San Jose State’s Dick Tomey, who once had Hill and Bulldogs special teams coach John Baxter on his staff at Arizona, is a longtime proven winner. He came in last season to breathe life into a downward spiraling San Jose State team that was once proud.
Edge: Even

Intangibles
The Bulldogs have played just two home games all season and are hungry to see the Red Wave. San Jose State hasn’t won at Bulldog Stadium since 1991 (losing in the past seven meetings in Fresno). The Spartans’ win last season was their first in 13 tries against the Bulldogs.
Edge: Bulldogs

Game Preview: Fresno State (3-2) at Idaho (1-5)

Quarterbacks
Tom Brandstater isn’t taking games into his own hands right now, but he’s winning and for the most part playing mistake-free football. That’s saying quite a lot considering he keeps losing major weapons to injuries. Brandstater has completed 57% of his passes for 938 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

Idaho senior Brian Nooy (6-2, 199) gets his second straight start after starter Nathan Enderle went down with an injury in a 48-20 loss to Hawaii. Nooy was 8 of 15 for 68 yards and threw two interceptions in the loss, and is 20 of 38 on the year with four picks and no touchdowns.
Edge: Bulldogs

Running Backs
The talent has been there all year – and now it should have plenty of confidence. True freshman Ryan Mathews dissected Nevada for 171 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries (12.2 yards per attempt). Sophomore starter Lonyae Miller had 98 yards and a score on 12 carries (7.9-yard average). Mathews scored on runs of 54 and 67 yards, with Miller scoring on a 72-yard spinning dash across the field. Clifton Smith added 20 yards and a touchdown on two carries and five catches for 74 yards.

Idaho redshirt freshman Deonte Jackson (5-8, 181) leads the WAC with 772 yards rushing. He averages 5.1 per carry with three touchdowns on the year. Senior Brian Flowers (5-9, 190) is second on the team with 195 yards and had a career-high 114 in last year’s loss to Fresno State. Sophomore Jayson Bird (6-0, 221) had 116 yards on the year.
Edge: Even

Receivers
With top receiver Marlon Moore missing against Nevada with an injury and questionable this week, sophomore Seyi Ajirotutu emerged as the deep threat he should be with three catches for 81 yards, including a 42- and 38-yard grabs. The Bulldogs need to find a way to keep tight end Bear Pascoe more involved. He had just one catch for six yards last week.

Sophomores Eddie Williams (6-1, 249) and Max Komar (5-10, 185) lead the way. The much larger Williams has 23 catches for 277 yards and two scores. But Komar leads the team with 14.6 yards per catch and has 18 grabs for 262 yards and three touchdowns. These are the two who can do damage if Nooy can get them the ball – if.
Edge: Bulldogs

Offensive Line
Fresno State’s blocking was much improved now that the line finally seems to have solidified with redshirt freshmen Joe Bernardi at center and Andrew Jackson at right guard. No sacks were allowed against Nevada and the group paved the way for 307 rushing yards, including three runs of more than 50 yards. When and if Cole Popovich returns, will only boost this unit. But it still must work on cutting out the unnecessary penalties (Jackson’s personal foul last week).

Despite running back Deonte Jackson leading the WAC in rushing, Idaho gets just 3.6 yards per carry as a team. And the line has given up 21 sacks in six games. Junior center Adam Korby (6-2, 292) is a third-year starter and team captain.
Edge: Bulldogs

Defensive Line
The depth keeps on dwindling. With Chris Lewis (suspension), Taylor Smith (injury), Jason Roberts (injury) and Ikenna Ike (injury) all out for the season, the Bulldogs learned this week they may have seen the last of NFL tackle prospect Jason Shirley (suspended indefinitely for conduct). The good news is end Tyler Clutts and tackle Jon Monga are tied for the WAC lead with five sacks apiece. Charles Tolbert, with six tackles, two for losses and a sack, gets the chore of trying to fill Shirley’s shoes.

With just three down linemen, the Vandals could be in trouble one week after the ‘Dogs torched Nevada’s 3-4 defense on the ground. Junior nose Siua Musika (6-1, 293) leads the team with three sacks and has 26 tackles. Junior end Taylor Rust (6-2, 232) has two sacks.
Edge: Bulldogs

Linebackers
The Bulldogs’ starters are amongst the best in the WAC as a unit and individually. Marcus Riley leads the team with 52 tackles, six for losses and a forced fumble. Redshirt freshman Ben Jacobs is second with 39 tackles, three for losses and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Quaadir Brown missed much of the Nevada game with an injury but should be back to help cause fits for Idaho. The big loss to depth came with news that key reserve Ryan Machado’s season is over after a knee injury at Nevada.

This is undoubtedly Idaho’s strength. Senior David Vobora (6-1, 240) is all over the field with 83 tackles (3.5 for losses) already this season. His 10.83 per game rank 14th in the nation. Vobora had a career-high 18 last week against San Jose State. He also has an interception. And he’s got plenty of help with junior Brandon Ogletree (6-3, 224), senior Jo’Artis Ratti (6-1, 220) and junior Ben Alexander (6-1, 224). Ogletree is second on the team with 57 tackles (5.5 for losses), Ratti is fourth with 44 tackles (3 for losses) and Alexander has 41 tackles (7 for losses) and a sack.
Edge: Even

Defensive Backs
So much for Fresno State’s No. 2 in the nation pass defense. The ‘Dogs gave up 491 yards to Nevada’s two quarterbacks, although 259 of them came during the garbage-time fourth quarter. But that’s still no excuse for allowing that many yards and letting the game appear far closer than it was. On a positive note, sophomore A.J. Jefferson seems to have blossomed into a key player and future star. But sophomore Damion Owens was reportedly carted out of practice with a hand injury Wednesday. The ‘Dogs are the only team in the country without an interception.

Idaho, on the other hand, has plenty of interceptions. Senior corner Stanley Franks (5-11, 167) is the star of the unit and had nine picks last season. Franks has one so far this year, but sophomore safety Shiloh Keo (5-10, 175) has four and is third on the team with 51 tackles. Redshirt freshman corner Eric Hunter (5-6, 154) hasn’t let his small stature stop him from picking off three passes. With turnovers as Idaho’s best chance to win, Tom Brandstater better not throw too close to these three.
Edge: Vandals

Special Teams
It looks like the ‘Dogs might be up to their old tricks again. Clifton Smith returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown against Nevada, Bear Pascoe blocked a field goal that A.J. Jefferson returned 40 yards for a score and Jefferson added three kick returns for 108 yards to set up good field position. Oh, and Kyle Zimmerman averaged 42 yards a punt. The only question mark right now is kicker Clint Stitser, who is a disappointing 3 of 7 on field goals this season.

Idaho kicker Tino Amancio is solid at 9 of 11 on the year, with a long of 51 yards. But he has had one blocked, which doesn’t bode well as no one blocks kicks better than the Bulldogs. Punter T.J. Conley has seen a lot of action, averaging 37.7 yards per punt and placing just 10 of 43 inside the 20. The Bulldogs will have to watch for Shiloh Keo, who had a 100-yard touchdown return on a punt in a 42-35 loss to Northern Illinois.
Edge: Bulldogs

Coaching
Pat Hill has led the ‘Dogs to wins over Idaho in each of the teams’ two previous WAC meetings by a combined score of 74-10, including last season’s 34-0 victory. First-year Idaho coach Robb Akey has plenty of energy, but is 1-5 so far this season, and will have to do more to prove himself and his team has what it takes to beat the WAC’s headline programs.
Edge: Bulldogs

Intangibles
As far as homefield advantage goes, Idaho’s 16,000-seat Kibbie Dome, an old airplane hangar, doesn’t do much to intimidate. If anything, it could lull the Bulldogs to sleep and help Idaho catch them off guard with a quick start. But don’t count on it, as Fresno State can’t take any game for granted this season. Idaho’s new grass-like artificial playing surface is a big advantage of the worn-down health-threat turf it had when these teams met in 2005.
Edge: Even