1. The Resurrection of a Defensive Front
I got to tell you. On Saturday morning, the Bulldog football team brought serious pressure to bear on Scott Tolzien – a lot of pressure. It seemed like they were bringing it on every play. If that Badger quarterback never sees Chris Carter and Chris Lewis and Lorne Bell again, in this lifetime, it will be too soon. Ditto Moses Harris, Nico Herron, et al…
We have a pass rush! We DO know how to blitz! Nice to see that again…thanks for coming back. Kudos, Coach Will Plemons and Coach Stewart. More please…
2. Ryan Colburn
OK, take a deep breath.
Say this to yourself, out loud. "It was his first game!"
Say that. (UC Davis was a glorified scrimmage.) This, my friends, was very big-time college football.
Camp Randall, 80,000 loud, screaming, bloodthirsty Bucky [Badger] fans, homer Big 10 refs (serious, bald-faced homers), and pressure – lots of pressure.
Overall, he really did OK. ESPECIALLY for his first game!
Yes, he threw three picks. I saw them. One was because a homer ref didn't call pass interference. Not Colburn’s fault. So, two bona fide interceptions, against four touchdowns? That's better than OK...
He is confident. He is a good leader. He has chemistry with the offense. He is also developing the "long ball" ability we have needed so long.
Yes, he does need to look off receivers (note the four tipped passes).
Yes, he does need to get rid of his propensity to arch it, to deliver a "touch" pass way too often.
He does need more "zip", more frozen ropes.
He does need to improve decision making.
But he will do these things. It was his first game. Get off his back.
Well done Ryan. You can do better. And you will. (BTW, Pat Hill's QB decision was a good one.)
3. The Road to Redemption
Kevin Goessling is on that road. He hasn't arrived, yet, but he is well on his journey. Loved that hoisting of Pat Hill. Kevin is going to be just fine.
4. Receivers Who Catch the BALL!
Speaking of redemption, our wide receivers are re-asserting themselves!
They are catching (and holding onto) the football.
They are confident.
They are running precise routes.
They even have a tiny bit of swagger, starting to show. I suspect Coach Keith Williams is the culprit. Give him a raise.
The emergence of Devon Wylie is a wonderful thing. The guy is just awesome, a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. By the way, Seyi is starting to look like a prototypical NFL player.
Ditto Chastin West.
Ditto Marlon "I need to find a handle" Moore.
Here's a question - have you really looked at Chastin West, lately?
The guy is huge! He looks like a freaking linebacker. I wonder if he could be made into a tight end...?
Lord knows we have a TON of receivers, but we are really hurting for tight ends.... just wondering.
5. Mr. Juke
Emphasize the "mister", as in, "They call me MISTER Juke."
That's my new name for Robbie Rouse, of course, the bravest, boldest, undersized running back I have ever seen.
He has huevos.
He also has uncoachable skills.
He has a broad array of shimmies, stutter steps, jukes, head fakes, and eel-like wriggles that are nothing short of amazing. And they are pure instinct.
He does not shy from contact. He is much stronger than he appears and has a low center of gravity. He is very, very quick. He is also fast enough - a different quality than quickness. This combination, along with the ability to hide in the mountains around him, makes him a phenomenal, one of a kind.
It's gonna be a fun year, with him on the team.
6. Ryan Mathews
I have heard and read things like, "Yeah, you take away his long runs, and he sucks."
Really?
Here's my take. The guy never quits. The defense is KEYING on him. They all want to nail him, but he never quits... never.
And when he finally does see a crack in the wall he is gone! 213 yds in five quarters, with 107 yards against Wisconsin in Camp Randall?
The man is a rock. More importantly, he is the man at RB for Fresno State. He is the ‘Dogs main back. Bulldog fans are blessed to have him.
If he stays healthy, he will have a 1,500-yard season. Of course, if he does that, he will go straight to the NFL, he will not pass "GO" and he will collect WAY more than $200 - I would, and so would you.
The pro scouts are drooling.
7. Chris Carter & Chris Lewis
No. 43 is rapidly becoming the player I watch, when we are on defense.
He gave the Badger O-line unmitigated hell, Saturday morning. They just didn't have an answer for him. He is a walking argument for lean, fast, aggressive defensive ends.
Lewis is a big, strong, fast end, playing tackle. Love it.
GREAT attitude. Someone said he "woke up" to realize his ability and his potential, truly a great awakening.
8. Please, God...
Let Lorne Bell's knee be only minimally injured. Bell is the heart and soul of the defense.
His attitude is the essence of Bulldog Football.
He is the embodiment of the defensive fire in the belly, the "intent to hit" fans loved so much in Marcus Riley and Tyler Clutts and A.J. Gass.
We need him healthy, Lord.
Amen.
9. Ben Jacobs
He quietly made 15 tackles, most in the game by either side, and the second most in his career. Stud.
10. Jeff Grady
He’s a keeper, ballsy calls, and a smart guy. He’s talented, well liked by the team. Bulldog fans need to hire a hit man from the mob and give him an open contract to “take care” anyone who contacts Coach Grady about going elsewhere.
That may be the only way we can keep him.
P.S.
Boise was watching. They are not thrilled to see a resurrected Bulldog team, waiting for them in Fresno. Yes, we do remember 61-10.
Revenge is coming.
-- Rooster
Redroadster is highly regarded attorney in the Central Valley, a loyal Bulldog fan, and a regular poster/contributor on BarkBoard.com. Check in time to time for his take on games and other Bulldog athletic events in his View from the Roadster.
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