Billy Volek, David Carr, and Paul Pinegar all had their difficulties during their Bulldog career. However, none faced the wrath Tom Brandstater did for the duration of the 2006 season.
Volek suffered through two non-winning seasons his first two seasons as the starter, but rebounded to throw 30 touchdowns against three interceptions his senior year leading FS to a Las Vegas Bowl berth. Carr started his career throwing four interceptions in a blowout loss at Ohio State. He quickly redeemed himself, and exited Fresno State as the nation’s top senior passer winning the Johnny Unitas Award. Pinegar, who was not expected to start his first two seasons, had a banner freshman season. But a pectoral injury before his sophomore season hampered the rest of his career. While he was named All-WAC his senior year, few fans forget his four interceptions in the 50-42 loss at No. 1 USC.
Brandstater is the only quarterback under Pat Hill to suffer through a losing season (4-8, 2006), save Volek’s 5-6 1998 season. Unlike Volek in ‘98, Brandstater and the ’06 team was loaded with upperclassman headed to the NFL. A poor offensive coordinator/QB coach (Steve Hagen), coupled with injuries to skill position talented doomed the ’06 offense. But Brandstater drew most of the blame from fans. A year later, the same quarterback led Fresno State to a 9-4 season and 40-28 Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl win over Georgia Tech. Brandstater did not do it alone.
Jim McElwain was hired as the offensive coordinator/QB coach early in 2007. His hiring was just the spark Brandstater and the offense needed. The skill position talent was young in 2007 and did suffer some key injuries at receiver. But for the most part, the core adapted to McElwain’s philosophy and the offense was clicking on all cylinders late in the season. McElwain decided to leave Fresno State – with a heavy heart – in February for the same position at Alabama. His departure cast a shadow over national signing day and the entire off-season until Doug Nussmeier was hired.
Nussmeier is Brandstater’s fourth different offensive coordinator. But Nussmeier is the only one who was a successful Division I college quarterback. He won the Walter Payton Award – awarded to the nation’s top FCS (I-AA) player – in 1993 at Idaho. Furthermore, Nussmeier, QB coach, and McElwain, WR coach, were on the same coaching staff at Michigan State. Nussmeier, like McElwain, comes to Fresno State after a stint in the NFL as a quarterback coach. Both use similar terminology so the transition during spring was as seamless as possible.
The starter: Sr. Tom Brandstater (6-5, 225)
2007 season stats: 2,654 yds, 15 tds, 5 ints, 62.6 comp%, 140.5 rat
Spring game stats: 4-5 for 73 yds, 1 td
Post spring grade: A-
Brandstater had a great spring, but practice has never been his problem. He only played the first series of the spring game. Moreover, he played just one series in the preceding scrimmage. He understands 2008 is his fifth spring as a Bulldog and he has plenty of time to get in reps leading up to the season opener Sept. 1 at Rutgers.
“I would like to be in there more,” Brandstater said after the spring game. “Obviously, I got a lot of time to think about that, come fall I have plenty of time to get snaps.”
He has become a natural leader on and off the field. It was evident as the 2006 season wore on Brandstater lost his confidence. The turbulent season only made him stronger. By the second game of 2007, a 47-45 3OT loss at Texas A&M, he emerged as a head strong QB who could lead the Bulldogs back to a bowl game. Yet, his breakout performance did not come until the second to last game of the season against Kansas State. It was the first time he passed for over 300 yards (315) and his first win against a BCS school. He cemented his place among the top quarterbacks for 2008 with his 285-yard MVP performance in the bowl game vs. GT. He completed 23-30 passes in that game with two touchdowns, one through the air and another on the ground. In his last four games, Brandstater completed 68% of his passes for 1,012 yards and six touchdowns.
He was very fluid throughout spring; playing quarterback has become second nature to him despite having different offensive coordinators. He is not hesitant when he is in the pocket and his decision-making is excellent. His mid-range throws are on target, and his long-ball is improving. The ‘Dogs rarely used the long-ball last season, and it is uncertain if Nussmeier adds it to the offense in 2008. Brandstater’s longest completion last season was just 44 yards, and that was a run after the catch by Devon Wylie. He lacked a true speed receiver last season save Marlon Moore, who missed a third of the season with an injury. Overall, Brandstater was efficient in spring practice and had a plethora of experienced receivers at his disposal. If the passing game opens up, he is capable of eclipsing the 3,500-yard mark.
The backup: So. Ryan Colburn (6-3, 220)
2007 stats: 4-5 for 58 yds
Spring game stats: 6-10 for 88 yds, 1 td
Post spring grade: B
Ryan Colburn during the spring game.
photo by bakodogfan for BarkBoard.com |
Colburn is working under his fourth different offensive coordinator as well despite being listed as freshman heading into his sophomore year of eligibility. Then OC Frank Cignetti recruited him in 2005. As a grayshirt, he practiced under Cignetti during bowl practice after the fall semester ended in ‘05. Colburn spent his redshirt year under Hagen, and his RFr. season with McElwain. It is overwhelming to think he can still spend the next three seasons under Coach Nussmeier.
Colburn is a southpaw. Brandstater is right-handed. When Colburn is in the game the RT becomes his blindside blocker, which can alter the play calling at times. Colburn only saw action in three games, all blowouts. His most extensive time came against Oregon where he went 3-3 for 48 yds.
He is ready to take over the starting spot if anything happens to Brandstater. Nonetheless, the offense does drop without Brandstater because Colburn does not possess his intangibles. Physically, Colburn is the most gifted Bulldog quarterback. He is an extremely strong pro-style QB, and he can run if need be. His decision-making can be shaky at times if does not spot an open receiver. This all comes with experience, but he will likely only see the field in spot duty in ’08.
The rest: RFr. Matt Faulkner (6-3, 190), Fr. Nick Anderson (6-3, 200)
Faulkner was the most accurate QB during spring. He is not extremely athletic, but he delivers the ball on the money consistently. He will likely run the scout team this season.
Anderson was the No. 13 ranked QB in California for the 2007 class. Originally, Fresno State offered him, and he committed. However, an injury jeopardized his offer and both parties agreed it was best for Fresno State to offer someone who was not injured. He did not sign a letter of intent and sat out the fall semester as a walk-on grayshirt. He did not play very much during spring, but adds quality depth.
Impact newcomer: Ebahn Feathers (6-1, 210)
Ebahn Feathers
photo by Scout.com |
Prep highlights and stats: California Player of the Year for medium-sized schools…Fresno Bee 2008 Player of the Year…Scout.com San Francisco Combine MVP…rushed for 24 touchdowns and passed for 24 touchdowns ... accounted for over 4,000 total yards, more than 1,800 rushing and 2,200 passing...recorded three 200-yard rushing games...averaged 8.26 yards per carry and completed 56% of his passes.
Feathers is the first QB Coach Hill has recruited who is a legitimate running threat. Most Pac-10 schools recruited him as an athlete or defensive back because of his 4.38 speed. Fresno State wanted him as a quarterback, and it is no secret why. Feathers can launch the football over 70 yards and 55 yards from his knees. Coach Hill states Feathers will have a special package designed for him this fall, but he will eventually learn the Bulldogs pro-style offense. An easy guess where Feathers will likely fit in is the direct-snap RB Clifton Smith took last season. He is a true run-pass option that can keep defensive coordinators up at night thinking of ways to contain him.
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