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FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
THE PLAYBOOK MWC Map & Season Schedule Robbie Rouse’s final season Derek Carr returns to the helm Key defensive players Football Photo Gallery Women’s soccer and volleyball
PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP OFFENSE
Derek Carr #4 QB 6-3, 210, Jr.
Robbie Rouse #8 RB 5-7, 190, Sr.
Cody Wichmann #73 RT 6-6, 318, So.
Austin Wentworth #72 LT 6-5, 305, Jr.
Josh Harper #3 WR 6-1, 182, So.
Matt Hunt #55 LG 6-2, 315, Sr.
Isaiah Burse #1 WR 6-0, 179, Jr.
Richard Helepiko #78 RG 6-2, 302, Sr.
Rashad Evans #11 WR 5-9, 187, Sr.
Lars Bramer #56 C 6-5, 274, Jr.
Davante Evans #15 WR 6-2, 200, RFr.
DEFENSE
L.J. Jones #6 CB 5-10, 180, Jr.
Anthony Williams #91 DE 6-2, 296, Sr.
Sean Alston #18 CB 5-10, 192, So.
Andy Jennings #98 DE 6-2, 278, Jr.
Travis Brown #9 MLB 6-1, 236, Sr.
Tyeler Davison #92 NG 6-2, 311, So.
Jeremiah Toma #32 MLB 6-0, 230, Jr.
Shawn Plummer #39 OLB 6-1, 214, RSr.
Phillip Thomas #16 SS 6-1, 215, Sr.
Donavon Lewis #27 OLB 6-2, 240, So.
Derron Smith #13 FS 5-11, 194, RSo.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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AIR FORCE BOISE STATE COLORADO STATE FRESNO STATE HAWAI’I NEVADA NEW MEXICO SAN DIEGO STATE UNLV WYOMING
2012 Fresno State Bulldogs Football Schedule DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
2011 RECORD
Sept. 1
vs. Weber State
7 p.m.
5-6
Sept. 8
at Oregon
3:30 p.m.
12-2
Sept. 15
vs. Colorado
5 p.m.
3-10
Sept. 22
at Tulsa
5 p.m.
8-5
Sept. 29
vs. San Diego State*
7 p.m.
8-5
Oct. 6
at Colorado State*
4 p.m.
3-9
Oct. 13
at Boise State*
12:30 p.m.
12-1
Oct. 20
vs. Wyoming*
7:30 p.m.
8-5
Oct. 27
at New Mexico*
12:30 p.m.
1-11
Nov. 3
vs. Hawai’i*
4 p.m.
6-7
Nov. 10
at Nevada*
7:30 p.m.
7-6
Nov. 24
vs. Air Force*
12:30 p.m.
7-6
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
ROUSE RUNS FOR THE RECORD The ‘Dogs’ star running back is within striking distance of the all-time school record for rushing yards By Ricardo Cano The Collegian Senior running back Robbie Rouse enters Saturday’s home opener against Weber State on the cusp of breaking Ron Rivers’ Fresno State record for all-time rushing yards. The record—3,473 yards— has withstood several former running backs’ attempts to break it, most recently by current San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. Rouse is 317 yards away from breaking the record. “It’s definitely an honor to be even close to that,” Rouse said. “Since coach DeRuyter’s been here, the goal has been to win a conference championship and win a bowl game. That’s my main goal. If that happens, then everything else will take care of itself.” B u t i f a n d wh e n Ro u s e rewrites the record books, it will be under the play calling of this year’s no-huddle spread
formation, not the pro-style offense in which he accumulated 3,157 career-rushing yards to date. This year’s spread offense uses a base for mation that lines up five offensive linemen, four wide receivers and a running back and quarterback in the backfield. The quarterback takes the snaps out of the shotgun. Unlike last year’s offense, which included a variety of formations that lined up tight ends and fullbacks, one of the philosophies of this year’s spread offense is to s p r e a d the field with receivers with the idea that it will create wider lanes for running backs to run through. “The spread is what I played in high school. I like it because you got fewer guys in the box for me to run against,” Rouse said. “Derek [Carr] and the receivers are going to make plays on the outside, and that’s going to take guys out of the
box and create smaller boxes for me to run against.” Rouse said the new offense brings more opportunities for running backs to be included in other aspects of the offense such as pass catching. Rouse is one of four returning players who recorded more than 30 receptions last year. “Just doing different things in the backfield,” Rouse said. “It’s not like we weren’t able to do it. But our old offense only limited us to do so many things. Now we’re able to show people different abilities that we have out of the backfield.” The true capacity by which Rouse and the run game will perform in the spread will be kept under wraps until the Sept. 1 opener, however. Rouse did not play in any of the three fall camp team scrimmages. “What we’ve limited Robbie in has been our live scrimmages where we’re tackling to the ground. He’s gone live when
we’ve done drill work,” head coach Tim DeRuyter said. “I don’t worry about No. 8.” Limiting Rouse’s re petitions gave backups Milton Knox, Kyle Harris and Marteze Waller opportunities to become that second option while also minimizing the possibility of an injury to Rouse before the season opener. Offensive coordinator Dave Schramm said Rouse sitting out in the scrimmages helped coaches solidify the depth behind him. “There’s only so many reps you have,” Schramm said. “You
“W
e’ll give him the ball as many times as we need to give it to him to win.” — Dave Schramm, Offensive Coordinator
know Robbie is the starter, but who’s his backup? That’s what we’ve spent camp doing, trying to find out who those guys are. “We’ve got three good candidates, but we wouldn’t have found those guys if it wasn’t for Robbie Rouse staying on the sideline and those guys playing. The possibility that Rouse will become the school’s alltime leading rusher this year remains high. But it is yet to be determined just how many carries he will get in the new offense. Last season’s heavy workload of 329 rushing attempts was a career high for Rouse. “We’ll give him the ball as many times as we need to give it to him to win,” Schramm said. “That’s all predicated on how the games are going, but he’s going to be very productive in this offense. He brings us great leadership, and we’re excited about what he’s going to do.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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DEREK CARR SETS THE BAR HIGH The star quarterback hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps and clench a conference championship
By Luke Shaffer The Collegian Vowing to follow in his brother’s footsteps, junior quarterback Derek Carr looks to take the helm as captain of the Bulldogs. With hopes of steering the team to a possible Mountain West Conference championship, Carr along with senior running back Robbie Rouse and a solid of fensive unit should be enough fuel to push the ‘Dogs to the top. “I think with our first group, we’re right on pace. We’re ready to go and ready to win some games,” Carr said. “And our backups are doing a great job of staying tuned in. My wide receivers and my offensive line and my running backs make me look a whole lot better than I am.” Originally born in Fresno, Carr grew up in Bakersfield and followed in his older brother David’s footsteps by going to Fresno State. Although many schools around the country
invited Carr to play on their team, he knew exactly where he wanted to play as soon as he graduated high school. “It was crazy. I was actually recruited by almost every Division I school; Alabama, LSU. I still have letters written from West Miami and USC, all these schools,” Carr said. “I wanted to come here and win a championship for the Valley. I was just waiting for Fresno State to call and finally they did and I committed.” Carr grew up watching his brother play football for Fresno
State and this inspired him to do the same. “He (David) did exactly what I wanted to do in my life, and it work out for him. So he paved the path,” Carr said. “So if I stay on track and do exactly what he did, then it should pan out for me.” Last year, Carr was placed in charged of the offense, and he delivered with a career high of 3,544 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Being his first year as the starting quarterback of the team (under former head coach Pat Hill), Carr
DEREK CARR STATS Carr’s starting year was better than any other first-year starter in program history, beating out Trent Dilfer and even his brother David. Carr had a total of 3,544 yards in 2011, the 8th highest of returning NCAA passing leaders.
26
Touchdowns
62.6% Completion
15th
National QB ranking
manage to bring some life to the Bulldogs’ passing game. “I feel confident, and I feel like I know what I’m doing out there especially when the games come. You spend all week watching film on the team and you get outside. That’s the best part,” Carr said. Although Carr is seen as the leader of the team and was recently elected as one of the starting five captains, he likes to give credit to his teammates. “They’re all so talented and they all play key roles in what we’re going to do come Saturday.” With a spread four offensive scheme, Carr has no favorite wide receiver to go to and will look to pass the ball to multiple players. “I can’t really say I have one. They’re so many good one’s that who’s ever open is going to get the ball,” Carr said. Wi t h h e a d c o a c h T i m DeRuyter completely revamping the offensive and defensive schemes, Carr believes he has a firm grasp on the playbook.
“The sky’s the limit with this offense. Especially with the great talent we have,” Carr said. “As a whole offense, we’re ready to go.” Offensive coordinator Dave Schramm is confident in Carr’s ability to execute the playbook. “He’s way ahead of where we should be right now. He’s ahead of schedule on that (playbook),” Schramm said. Returning as the starting quarterback this year, Carr will lead the Bulldogs as they look to start the season off strongly. However, the ‘Dogs will have to wait until Saturday to see if their shining star (Carr) can deliver as promised. “He’s our starting quarterback. We’ll go as well as he’ll go,” Schramm said. “He’s a leader. He’s a competitor. He’s very smart, very athletic. And he’s got all the tools to be a great player in this offense.” Carr added, “Hopefully I can just be a good leader. I feel confident in how I can throw and run and read coverages.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
PAGE 6
Williams returns to the front lines By Ricardo Cano The Collegian
Fifth-year senior defensive end Anthony Williams has had limited opportunities to play in live games. In Saturday’s season opener against Weber State, Williams, who has been sidelined for a myriad of reasons in previous seasons, will play his first snap on the Fresno State defensive line in nearly two years. After redshirting his first year in 2008, battling injuries for much of 2009 and serving a suspension from the team for unspecified reasons in 2011, Williams has the opportunity to play his most complete season to date. In 2010, his sophomore season, he logged 16 tackles and two sacks in 11 games. Williams, who has practiced exclusively with the first-team defense since spring training, has worked at both end positions and gotten looks at the interior, nose tackle spot. T h e l a s t t i m e Wi l l i a m s played in a game, however, was in a conservative 4-3 defense. The Bulldogs, under defensive coordinator Nick Toth, are employing a new 3-4 scheme this season. The change in schemes created some discrepancies—big and small. They ranged from c o a ch i n g p h i l o s o p h i e s t o
Brad Soo / The Collegian
After spending the past two years on the sidelines, senior defensive end Anthony Williams will once again take his place among the starting lineup for the Bulldogs in Saturday’s game against Weber State.
which gaps linemen will line up in. The transition, Williams said, eased with time. “I’m used to being more on the inside; more run-oriented,” he said. “Now I have to come
“I
’m used to being more on the inside; more runoriented. It’s been a little hard of a transition for me, but I’ve picked it up and am doing pretty good at it.” — Anthony Williams Defensive end
out a little and play the pass more on the edge. It’s been a little hard of a transition for me, but I’ve picked it up and am doing pretty good at it.” The new defense is a change Williams welcomes as well. “There’s a lot more pressures in this defense,” he said. “In last year’s defense and the previous year’s, we didn’t really run as many blitzes. This defense is geared toward a lot of line movement and it gets everybody involved.” But in a 3-4 defense, a major disparity lies at the defensive end position. Toth said the
necessary physique of the end position varies in the opposing schemes—about a difference of 60 pounds extra. An end in a 3-4 formation is supposed to have more bulk, and more “meat on his bones,” Toth said. Ends in the 230- to 240pound range from last year’s team, such as projected starter Donavon Lewis, made the switch to outside linebacker this offseason. At 6-feet-2, 295 pounds, Williams fits the ideal mold for a 3-4 defensive end, Toth said. “Perfect size. ‘A-Dub’s’ the
exact size that we’re looking for. You can be lighter than that. You can be heavier than that. But his skill set fits us pretty well,” Toth said. Williams said strides made in grasping the concepts a 3-4 defense embraces, along with an offseason full of conditioning and training—regimens needed for playing with the fanaticism Toth envisions in this new defense—have set the tone for this year’s defensive unit. “Everybody has gotten in a lot better shape through the offseason and summer workouts,” he said. “We’re more of a unit. We’re a lot stronger together, and we’re playing hard.” In his last year of eligibility, Williams looks to make up for lost time and plans on “just staying healthy, being in shape, making plays and helping my defense win.” And what does Toth expect from Williams this season? “I’m just looking forward to watching the kid compete in a real game. He’s been so hungry for it since we got here. He hasn’t got to do that for so long,” Toth said. “Imagine being a student. You come to school. You come to Fresno State, and you want to get this degree. Then, you’re told, ‘Hey, for the next year you can’t go to class.’ You came here to do something, and you don’t get to do it for a year? “If you’re a fan right now, you’ve got to be excited that ‘A-Dub’ gets to finally play ball the way he wants to again. I’m excited for the kid.”
Plummer to play key role in Bulldog defense Outside linebacker will serve as a role model and inspiration to his fellow teammates By Luke Shaffer The Collegian In his final season, after redshirting his senior year due to injuries, outside linebacker Shawn Plummer is ready to take control of the Bulldogs’ defense. With the team lacking a veteran leader (sans quarterback Derek Carr who’s only a junior), Plummer will look to fill the vacancy. This will help him take his place in Fresno State football lore next to his f ather, Pat Plummer, who played for the Bulldogs during 1971-72. “They encourage me to be more vocal. I’ve always been a leader in trying to get people to follow. They’ve (coaches) embraced me to become a more vocal leader, and I’m taking that on as a challenge,” Plummer said. G r ow i n g u p i n C l o v i s, P l u m m e r we n t t o H o ove r High School where he led the Patriots as the team captain and amassed 101 tackles and six sacks. Named to the Valley all-conference and all-team, Plummer remembers his high school days playing football like it was yesterday. “You always wish knowing what you know now and go
back and play one more game,” Plummer said. “I’m still really good friends with a couple buddies from high school and we talk about the old times all the time.” Since coming to Fresno State Plummer has been a solid defensive anchor for the Bulldogs as well as special teams player. “Shawn is a pretty dynamic outside linebacker. He’s pretty good in coverage. He can do all the jobs that we need. He’s very good rushing off the end,” defensive coordinator Nick Toth said. In 2010, Plummer recorded a season total 34 tackles. He also had one blocked punt in a game against Cal Poly. His tenacity in both defense and special teams is a strong factor in why coach Toth sees Plummer as a special leader for the defense. “He’s really explosive,” Toth said. “There’s a thing called ‘short area equipment’ and in a small area, he moves very fast. He’s faster than a lot of guys who are trying to block him. And so he’s going to give us an element there that when he’s better than some of those edge guys. He’s going to really shorten the field for us.” Being physically gifted, Plummer is seen on the team
as a secondary leader only to Carr. His abilities to give the opposing offense fits in trying to scheme against him are what make Plummer such a valuable asset for the ‘Dogs’ defense. “I expect him to be a problem-causer for the (opposing) offense. They don’t know whether he’s coming or going,” Toth said. “He’s a little bit of a leader for us. The guys look to him because he’s so consistent. He’s got the potential to have a big year like that.” Head coach Tim DeRuyter, being a defensive-minded c o a c h a n d sw i t c h i n g u p schemes on defense for the Bulldogs, has been a welcome change for Plummer. This new scheme will not only open up space for the linebackers to make plays in the field, but also give free reign for the secondary to move into coverage more quickly. “It allows us (linebackers) to move a lot more and be the athletes we are. It allows us to play in space and make plays,” Plummer said. “We’re more into this scheme. We’re more into this game plan, and we’re more into it with the coaches. Not only are Plummer’s physical gifts impressive, but also his social and spiritual
Brad Soo / The Collegian
Shawn Plummer will replace former Bulldog defensive tackle Logan Harrell as the team’s defensive leader.
presence makes him a good role model for any student athlete. Since DeRuyter took over last spring and implemented an atmosphere that resembles a family structure, Plummer relishes playing for Fresno State. “He’s worked really hard and is consistent. He’s what
all college kids should be. He’s consistent in the classroom. He’s consistent in his social life and spiritual life,” Toth said. Plummer added, “In my heart, I always knew I was coming here. I always loved the Bulldogs, and one day I knew I’d be one of them.”
“FAST, PHYSICAL, FANATICAL”
Senior running back Robbie Rouse shows his teammates how it’s done during agility drills.
The Bulldog coaches make sure to have the players stretch before practice to prevent the risk of injuries. The players will have to be in top condition if they hope to reach the Mountain West championship this season.
The offensive line displays their physicality in a sled drill. It will try to give quarterback Derek Carr as much time in the pocket to focus on making big plays.
The defensive line will play a key role in coach Tim DeRuyter’s playbook this season. DeRuyter has always favored defense-focused strategies, and switched the Bulldogs to a 3-4 defensive scheme.
Second-string senior running back Milton Knox may see more playtime this season, if Robbie Rouse breaks the all-time school record for rushing yards early on.
The Bulldogs huddle together for a mid-practice talk from coach DeRuyter. DeRuyter preaches team unity, saying that the ‘Dogs will either win as a team, or lose as a team. Photos by Dalton Runberg / The Collegian
The
Collegian
SPORTS
SPECIAL FALL SPORTS INSERT
2012
PAGE 8
SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU
Hancock returns as leading scorer By Jason Smithberg The Collegian Every sports team has one special player that is considered the go-to player. In the case of the Fresno State Women’s Soccer team, that player is Callie Hancock. In her four years at Fresno State, Hancock has quickly established herself as a dominant force on the field, combining speed with great athleticism. It definitely shows in the way she plays. “I can bring speed both on and off the ball. I think that’s my asset to the attacking side,” Hancock said. “She has tremendous pace and endurance,” says Fresno State soccer head coach Brian Zwaschka. “She wants to score. She’s a competitor.” Hancock arrived on the Fresno State campus four-years-ago from Chatfield High School in Littleton, Colo. While playing for the women’s soccer team at Chatfield, she distinguished herself from the rest of the playing field. Hancock, 21, ear ned all-conference honors from 2007-2009, and she was also named first-team all-state in 2008 and 2009. In addition, she was also named Jefferson County Most Valuable Player and she was the leading goal scorer during her senior year. After being recruited by other schools such as Wester n Kentucky, UNLV and CSU-Bakersfield, Hancock decided to choose Fresno State as her destination to continue her soccer success. And she hasn’t disappointed. In her junior year alone, Hancock became the fourth Bulldog in history to ear n a first collegiate hattrick. This came in a match against CSU Bakersfield on October of 2011. Hancock also ranked nationally in point per game (85th), and goals per game (55th). Recently, Hancock was named the Sysco Student-Athlete of the Week after she scored both of the Bulldogs goals on the road in games against UC Davis and San Francisco. These goals moved Hancock into a tie for sixth place all time in school history with 16 career goals. While Hancock’s excellence on the field makes her and the rest of the team better, it is her attitude and love of the game that truly stands out. Since soccer
Roe Borunda / The Collegian
Forward Callie Hancock shows off her fancy footwork during Wednesday’s team scrimmage. Hancock hopes to repeat her collegiate hat trick from last season’s game again CSU Bakersfield, which made her the 4th Bulldog in history to do so.
has been a part of her life for so long, the love of the game and the camaraderie of team give her the extra motivation needed to help the team win. “Soccer is important to me because I’ve invested so much of my life in it since I was four,” she said. Even though the women’s soccer team has had a rough stretch to start this season, Hancock still remains optimistic that they can turn the ship around and have a successful season. “We just need to get that win to make the confidence level go up to be able to play that much better,” she said. In addition to helping the Bulldogs do their best, she enjoys traveling abroad and seeing the rest of the world.
“I like to travel and see different cultures and see how different people live across the world,” she said. And when she isn’t exploring the wonders of the world, Hancock can be found in the kitchen honing her culinary skills. “I also like to cook and bake,” she said. When asked about the g reatest moment in her soccer career, Hancock said it was scoring the championship goal at a state match in Colorado. “I would have to say scoring the championship goal at the state final match. That was very exciting to me,” she said. Regardless of how well the Bulldogs
perform on the field, Hancock realizes that true success can only come with goals and aspirations along with teamwork from other players. “For the team, I would say to win the Mountain West Conference, that’s a goal that’s always up there…but we still have relationships to build and just improve as players,” she said. And no matter how good or how bad the Bulldogs do, as long as they have Callie Hancock, they have a true, go-to player.
C
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Marissa Brand is back in action
Women’s volleyball will head to second road tournament as Brand returns from injury By Ricardo Cano The Collegian Last year, redshirt junior outside hitter Marissa Brand did not play a single set against a Western Athletic Conference opponent because of a season-ending knee injury she suffered in a non-conference tournament match against the University of San Francisco. At that point in time, Brand was on track for another 354-kill season like she had in 2010, when she led the team in that statistical category. “It was tough going down with a season-ending injury,” Brand said. “But I worked hard with my trainers, my coaches and my team and got back to playing on the court with team. “It’s been an awesome experience so far playing with the girls again. We’re working hard and looking for that Mountain West championship.”
Brand enters this season as one of the anchors to the Bulldogs’ offensive attack. She led the team with 42 kills in the Aug. 24-25 El Paso Sports Commission Invite, the team’s first tournament of the season. Coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said Brand’s offensive presence is one that cannot be ignored. “Marissa is a big hitter. She can really move the ball around really well,” Netherby-Sewell said.
“M
arissa is a big hitter. She can really move the ball around really well.” — Lauren Netherby-Sewll, Volleyball head coach
“She’s reliable. There’s very few times where you’re going to get a really bad match out of her. She stabilizes our offense. She always has and she always will. It’s nice to have a big hitter on the outside that can play six rotations and score us a lot of points.” Brand, who is in her fourth year with the program, has helped Fresno State start the season with a record of 2-1. Last year, the team started the season 1-2 at home in the Fresno State Classic. In her first three matchups Brand has also been a focal point in the Bulldogs’ defense. Brand’s 27 digs in this year’s first three games are second only to sophomore libero Christina Lee. Today, Fresno State will play in their second out-of-state tournament of the season. “We opened up at home the past three years that I’ve been here. It was actually fun because we got to know ourselves being away first rather than having our
home crowd, and having that pressure right off the bat. Brand said the team’s efforts are focused on continuing to improve in time for this year’s Sept. 7-8 Fresno State Classic. It will be the first time the Bulldogs play in front of the home crowd this season. “Our goal as a team right now is to really find ourselves. That’s what we’ve been working on so far these past few weeks. “We’re working to find ourselves these two tournaments. Then we come home next week. We’re ready to show the home crowd who we are.” The Bulldogs travel to Boulder, Colo. today for the Omni Hotels Colorado Tour nament where they will face Sacramento State, UC Davis and Utah Valley.