December 2 2011 by FresnoStateCollegian

MEN’S BASKETBALL PHOTO GALLERY

Fresno State football to close out season at San Diego State SPORTS Could legalizing marijuana save California’s economy? OPINION USU Productions to host shopping trip to San Francisco FEATURES

Go to The Collegian Online for a photo gallery of the Bulldogs’ victory over the Academy of Art University

FRIDAY Issue DECEMBER 2, 2011 FRESNO STATE

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922

Strong winds cause car UPD natural disaster plan includes technology, but no budget damage on campus By Luke Shaffer The Collegian

Sergio Robles / The Collegian

Fresno State student Teroy Roberts makes a call while inspecting the damages on his car by a tree on campus.

By Ana Mendoza The Collegian A weather advisory was sent to all students Thursday afternoon regarding the heavy winds throughout the Fresno State campus, urging students to use caution when parking near trees and walking around campus. Fresno State student Teroy Roberts did not expect much damage to come from the winds, but he found a large tree branch perched on his Ford Mustang yesterday. “I hope the school has some kind of money,” Robert said. Roberts called his insurance company shortly after he found the branch on his

car, which had a damaged side view mirror and paint finish because of the branch. A Fresno State Plant Operations vehicle assisted Roberts with the removal of the branch. Fallen branches resulted in the closure of the Cedar Avenue entrance leading to the campus dor ms. A sidewalk between the University Cour tyard and the Henry Madden Library was also closed as a result of a fallen branch. Several branches fell from trees due to the heavy winds throughout the day, including a branch measuring over 20 feet that fell in front of the Kennel Bokstore.

California has been prone to several natural disasters including earthquakes, wildfires and floods. The Fresno S t a t e U n iv e r s i t y P o l i c e Department is planning to use technology to inform students and faculty in case of any natural disasters. “Fresno State has taken an all-hazards approach to any kind of natural disasters here on campus,” chief of University Police Department David Huerta said. Many scientists are predicting a major earthquake in California, which they refer to as the “Big One.” A study done by the U.S. Geological Survey found that there is a 62 percent probability of a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the next 20 years. W h i l e m o s t C a l i fo r n i a residents worry about earth-

Tom Van Dyke / McClatchy Tribune Fresno State University Police Department has developed a plan to respond to natural disasters on campus. David Huerta of the University Police Department said that precautions are being taken in case of a large scale disaster such as the Loma Prieta earthquake (pictured above) which occurred in October 1989.

“Different parts of the state will have challenges in terms of potential natural catastro-

“D

ifferent parts of the state will have challenges in terms of potential natural catastrophes, but here in the Valley, we’re more concerned with fire on our campus.” — David Huerta, cheif of University Police Department quakes, the Central Valley is more prone to other disasters such as fire, drought and flood, Huerta said.

phes, but here in the Valley, we’re more concerned with fire on our campus,” Huerta said.

“When a crisis of any kind occurs, we want to be able to tell everyone so that they can take a personal collective action to assist themselves individually and assist others collectively during the most critical moments,” Huerta said. “We try to be proactive in teaching students how to be safe here at Fresno State.” Aside from technological information, no designated budget has been assigned to address a natural disaster at Fresno State. Funds by the university faculty board are given to the See DISASTERS, Page 3

Tax increase Students cope with stress as finals approach awaits if Congress doesn’t act By Ciara Norton The Collegian

By Rob Hotakainen McClatchy-Tribune

If Congress doesn’t vote to extend a payroll tax cut by Dec. 31, Sen. Patty Murray warned Thursday, a family in her state of Washington with a yearly median income of $56,000 will pay an additional $1,130 in taxes next year. Last year, Congress temporarily cut the employee’s share of payroll taxes on Social Security by 2 percentage points, to 4.2 percent. Like most Senate Democrats, Murray wants to impose a new 3.25 percent surtax on millionaires to keep the payroll tax cut in place, preventing it from reverting back to 6.2 percent. “This vote sets up a simple choice,” Mur ray said in a speech on the Senate floor. “Do you vote to extend tax cuts for middle-class families and See TAXES, Page 3

With finals lurking just around the corner, some students’ stress levels are on the rise. Finals week at Fresno State will begin on Dec. 5, but the stress of finals can begin long before that day. “I have a lot of finals, but it’s the papers and the projects that stress me out even more,” chemistry student Mike Morales said. “It just seems like everything is always due at the same time.” Morales had to turn in many projects this week that will have a major impact on his overall course grade. Aside from the emotional effects, stress can also affect the human body. “Stress creates an inflammatory response in the body that can affect the arteries,” said Elizabeth Ferris, a food science and nutrition professor at Fresno State. “This can lead to increased risk for heart disease and high blood pressure.” To reduce high stress levels, Ferris suggests that students exercise and make healthy food choices. “Eating foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids like salm-

on and nuts will help,” Ferris said. Exercise is also a big part of keeping stress levels under control. WebMD suggests practicing meditation and yoga to help reduce stress. The website also states that the “relaxation can do wonders to restore balance in your life and may even reduce some of the health risks associated with stress.” Sarah Cohen, an art history student at Fresno State, tries to keep her stress levels under control during finals by exercising. “When I’m stressed I take breaks,” Cohen said. “I go for a walk with my dog and I also like to get a good night’s rest before the test.” According to The Better Sleep Council’s website, bettersleep.org, “65 percent of Americans are losing sleep due to stress.” While sleeping may seem like an easy thing to do, it is an important step in reducing stress levels that should not be overlooked. Food also plays an equally important role in stress reduction. Cohen doesn’t alter her eating and drinking habits very much when she’s stressed.

“I don’t really notice that much of a change in my eating and drinking habits,” Cohen said. “If anything I try and drink more tea.” The website EatDrinkBetter. com said that “black tea can reduce the effects of stressful events by lowering the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.” The website affir ms that besides being packed full of antioxidants, tea has also been known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, prevent diabetes, assist the digestive system and

fight cavities. “I probably should make better eating habits all the time, but especially when I’m stressed out,” Morales said. “When I’m busy with school or work I usually just eat whatever is the fastest but not necessarily the healthiest.” For students str ug gling with stress, the Fresno State Student Health Center has psychological counselors who meet with students as well as dieticians ready to advise on what to eat.

Sergio Robles / The Collegian

Gabriela Larralde, majoring in classics, gets tutoring from linguistics major Christian Paulsen in preparation for her Latin final exam. As the end of the semester approaches students find different ways to reduce stress.

The

Collegian

Opinion PAGE 2

“T

THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

his is either the moment when Newt became the new frontrunner in the course of upsetting all expectations and sweeping to the nomination, or the moment that foretold Newt’s self-immolation on a pyre of hubris and ego.” – Rich Lowry, National Review

OPINION EDITOR, TONY PETERSEN • COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

Legalize pot to save economy WEB-SPE@K By Skeye Gage The Collegian Unemployment, recession, depression, budget deficit, tax increases, entitlement cuts — these are just a few of the words being tossed around in reference to the economic environment we are currently experiencing. In November 2010, the Legislative Analyst’s Office reported that California had a $25 billion deficit. Six billion dollars of that deficit will carry over into 2011 from 2010 combined with a $19 billion shortfall in tax revenue versus spending for 2011. Currently, California has a higher unemployment rate than much of the country. The Employment Development Department of California reports unemployment at 11.9 percent versus a national average of 9.1 percent. Isn’t it time to look into unconventional alternatives to solve this growing problem? According to the State Board of Equalization, it is estimated that the state would see $1.4 billion in tax revenue and reduced enforcement cost through the legalization of marijuana. This may not completely fix our enormous deficit, but it is absolutely an untapped, very attainable resource. With another potential 12 to 18 billion dollars in peripheral benefits associated with other businesses such as hemp production, tourism brought by Amsterdam-type coffee houses, etc., as well as an increase in employment the new industry would create, it is likely that the legalization of marijuana will have an even bigger impact than

projected. Consider: the expenditures spent to prohibit marijuana are huge. According to The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition by Jeffrey A. Miron of Harvard College, California spends $1.87 billion on criminal justice resources that enforce laws prohibiting marijuana production, distribution, and use. The Marijuana Policy Project states that the simple decriminalization of medical marijuana in California has already saved this state $100 million in enforcement costs. Why are we continuing to look past what seem to be the most obvious solutions to California’s growing deficit? It is naïve to believe that if we just

increase taxes on corporations and the wealthy, they are going to stick around to foot the bill. California has lost business after business both overseas and to other states because of friendlier tax programs. Growing, selling and taxing our own marijuana would produce new jobs, more money, less criminals and new industries. Similar to the days of Prohibition, marijuana production and distribution isn’t something the state or even federal government is able to control. Instead of trying to prevent the inevitable, maybe we should, instead, reap the benefits. According to the Time magazine article “Can Marijuana Help Rescue California’s Economy” by Allison Stateman, marijuana production is the most profitable “cash crop” in the state, producing $14 billion a year, trumping milk and dairy with revenues of only $7.3 billion per year. I do not use marijuana, but I do pay taxes and care very much about the future of our state. Legalizing marijuana doesn’t mean we have to use it or condone using it. Similarly, alcohol production and consumption is legal, but that doesn’t mean it is condoned by all California residents. At this point, marijuana is here to stay. We can choose to continue to fight a battle we will never win, squandering billions in state resources, or we can choose to legalize a product already embedded in our society and help end our state’s financial crisis.

Culled each week from discussions on The Collegian’s website.

Response:

‘Dispelling budget myths’ ‘Hansie’: “Thank you for sharing such important news with the students. There really are so many things that we can do, if we really wanted to make a change.”

Response:

‘Dispelling budget myths’ ‘Philosotroll’: “While Selena is trying to get rid of some of the bigger myths, the realities actually don’t give us reason to be any more optimistic. Does anyone actually know what the ‘overhead costs’ are that these proposals are supposed to remove? Or what positions are getting removed when we merge? Are they all administrative positions? If so, then its hard to believe that this is going to make a significant difference in costs; the administrative positions seem very insulated. Are they going to remove professors? If so, then it’s hard to argue that isn’t an attack on the relevant departments where those losses are going to come from. It’s not clear to me at all what’s going on (and, unfortunately, this doesn’t help to clarify what actually is going on) with the budget issue, and the plan seems far from clear. The link provided by Farnesi is far from helpful in elucidating that, but that is likely the fault of the committee responsible for the recommendation.”

Response:

‘Dispelling budegt myths’ ‘Campiss Leaks’: “This doesn’t clarify the situation. How about investigative journalism? I’m sorry, but The Collegian needs to go after administrators and investigate what is going on!”

Response:

‘Twilight had to happen’

‘Brittany’: “Basically, I think the author of this article needs to be open-minded and not a ‘linear thinker.’ Granted, this article is an opinion, but understand that the book is fiction. Let’s count all the other fiction books, and count the reasons why those readers are ‘sick bastards.’ I think the only reason why it’s so popular is because of all the attention it gets through people who don’t appreciate it. The Twilight Saga is not the best piece of work, but Stephanie Meyer obviously did a good job in attracting an audience. The author of this opinion piece needs to realize that there is more to life than a straight line.”

THE

Collegian

The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-2486 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu) All letters submitted to The Collegian must not exceed 250 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

Editor in Chief News Editor Features Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor

Each member of the campus community is permitted one copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. Contact the Editor in Chief for details. All content Copyright © 2011 The Collegian.

Multimedia Director Webmaster Videographer Videographer Online Reporter

Local Advertising Manager Ben Ingersoll Local Advertising Manager Ana Mendoza-Santiago National Advertising Manager Thomas Pearson Johnathan Wilbanks Account Executive/Special Projects Account Executive/Special Projects Jerry Huerta Art Director Tony Petersen Assistant Art Director Esteban Cortez Distribution Manager Accountancy Assistant

Vanessa Flores Dan Koenig Mitchell Canizalez Bertha Gil Linda Kobashigawa Brandon Ocegueda Kevin Gordy Savannah Brandle Anthony Samarasekera

Sergio Robles Dalton Runberg Garrett Horn Ezra Romero Rachel Waldron

Virginia Sellars-Erxleben Roberta Asahina Reaz Mahmood Dr. Tamyra Pierce

Business Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Chair

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS NEWS EDITOR, ANA MENDOZA-SANTIAGO • COLLEGIAN-NEWS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

DISASTERS: Fresno State explains natural disaster precautions CONTINUED from page 1 University Police based on needs that are identified and prioritized by the department. “What we do is we demonstrate the need. Then we prioritize it and then we fit it into where we are at,” Huerta said. “And then we say this is what we need to do and we move forward from that.”

odologies that are redundant and back each other up,” Huerta said. “We feel that our obligation [for keeping the campus safe] needs to be tailored to the students and faculty.” Engineering students at Fresno State are learning how to address natural disasters in their fields. Students in Civil Engineering 137, a class

“W

hen a crisis of any kind occurs, we want to be able to tell everyone so that they can take a personal collective action to assist themselves individually and assist others collectively during the most critical moments.” —— David Huerta, cheif of University Police Department

Huerta affir ms they have different technological methods of communicating with students if a natural disaster occurs on campus. “We have an incredible amount of information meth-

taught by Fresno State professor Fariborz Tehrani, are taught to analyze and design buildings for all types of catastrophes. “Not only does this class teach about the technical ele-

ments of engineering, but it also explains the seismic backg round infor mation. For instance, we consider how prone Fresno is to earthquakes,” Tehrani said. “The class also teaches about ethical elements and the concept of designing buildings for two types of instances, small frequently occurring quakes and large quakes that can heavily damage buildings,” Tehrani added. Another critical concept taught in other engineering classes are factors that California’s potential earthquake, the “Big One,” would affect when it strikes. Tehrani said cities within the San Joaquin Valley have less concer n about the “Big One” because they will be less affected because of where they are geographically situated. “The class integrates information and connects [the information] to how buildings at Fresno State are designed and constructed,” Tehrani said. “It also teaches on the big earthquake which will happen sometime in the future in California and Fresno.”

Florida college expels 4 band members over death in alleged hazing incident By Toluse Olorunnipa McClatchy-Tribune Florida A&M University has dismissed four students amid growing pressure from top state education officials and the governor’s office over an alleged hazing incident that led to the death of a 26-yearold drum major.

small businesses, or do you vote to protect the wealthiest Americans from paying one penny more toward their fair

President Barack Obama’s $447 billion jobs package. S e n at e Re p u bl i c a n s a re resisting the surtax on millionaires. Instead, they want to freeze the pay of federal

“D

o you vote to extend tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses, or do you vote to protect the wealthiest Americans from paying one penny more towards their fair share.” — Patty Murray, U.S. Senator share?” After its debt-reduction supercommittee which Murray helped lead failed to cut the national debt last week, Congress has returned to familiar terrain: arguing over tax cuts. Both parties want to keep the tax cuts, but with the nation facing a $15 trillion deficit, the fight is over how to pay for them. The cut is a big part of

workers through 2015 and reduce the federal work force by 10 percent. Their plan would cost an estimated $120 billion. The Senate was expected to vote late Thursday night or early Friday. A vote has not been scheduled in the House. Regardless of the outcome, the debate is sure to roil Capitol Hill for the remainder of the year. Unless congres-

sional leaders reach a compromise and get an extension signed into law by Obama, taxes will effectively rise for 160 million workers and families on Jan. 1. Obama has been lobbying hard for an extension. Murray said the proposed tax on the wealthy is the very issue that led to last week’s collapse of the supercommittee, which she co-chaired for three months. The debate marks a role reversal of sorts for members of Congress. When Congress extended the Bush-era tax cuts last year, many Democrats said the country couldn’t afford it, while Republicans said the cuts would pay for themselves by creating more jobs and revenue for the federal government. This time around, many Democrats aren’t talking much about the price tag, while GOP leaders have insisted that a tax cut not add to the deficit. At a news conference on T hursday, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said Re publicans are ready to extend the payroll tax cut but that it must be offset with spending cuts elsewhere. “It’s important that the payroll tax cut be paid for because that money is used to fund the

Classifieds

CLARK CHIROPRACTIC Discount for students without insurance!* 559.226.3400 • cogfresno.com 7461 N First St #103 • Fresno CA, 93720 * Does not apply to personal injury or work compensation cases.

Are you waiting for each print edition to read the newest classifieds? Check them out 24/7 online at: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Click on classifieds. The Collegian is not responsible for nor does it assume any liability for its advertisers. We caution our readers to check out the legitimacy of all advertisers before doing business with any of them.

HELP WANTED STUDENTPAYOUTS.com Paid survey takers needed in Fresno. 100% free to join! Click on surveys.

band, despite a decades-long trail of hazing allegations. “I want to report that four (4) students have been dismissed from the university in connection to the Robert Champion incident,” Ammons wrote in the memo to the board of trustees. The memo did not mention the names of the four students

“T

hey had a hazing that started on a practice field. Then they took him to an apartment off campus and did the hazing. Ten years later, it’s still happening.” — David Frank, Tallahasse attorney The expulsions come after the university’s famed Marching 100 band was suspended and its director asked to resign over Robert Champion’s death last month on a bus in Orlando. The latest moves by President James Ammons appear to be the first severe anti-hazing disciplinary actions implemented by a FAMU leader against the

TAXES: Congress debate over taxes, again CONTINUED from page 1

PAGE 3

Social Security Trust Fund, which is already facing imminent bankruptcy,” Boehner said. He said Americans know that “we can’t get our economy moving and create jobs without dealing with Washington’s out-of-control spending.” Democrats signaled their intent to use the issue in the 2012 elections. T he Democratic C o n g re s s i o n a l C a m p a i g n Committee, known as the DNCC, said it would launch a campaign against 30 “vulnerable” Republicans, blaming them for opposing an extension of the payroll tax cut while preserving tax breaks “for the ultra wealthy.” The campaign is using automatic “robo-calls,” live phone calls, online advertising and an “online action center” where constituents are urged to write letters to the Republican members. The DNCC said it is targeting the legislators because they signed a pledge circulated by conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist promising to oppose any tax increase. “House Re publicans are going to face a chilly reception from voters for trying to defend the indefensible,” said Rep. Steve Israel of New York, the chairman of the DCCC, in a statement. Casey Bowman, a spokesman for targeted Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, called it an example “of an outof touch D.C. campaign group needing to do its homework,” noting that the Washington state freshman _ like the president _ “believes the payroll tax should be extended to help hard-working taxpayers.” “She also supports finding a responsible way to pay for the tax-cut extensions that won’t harm job creators,” Bowman said, declining to say how Herrera Beutler would pay for the cuts.

or how they are connected to Champion’s death. Champion died on Nov. 19, after the Florida Classic game between FAMU and BethuneCookman College. A 911 call, released Thursday, shows that panicked band members tried to revive Champion after he collapsed on the bus and vomited. Authorities have said hazing was involved. Champion’s death, which has drawn national attention, is the latest in a string of hazing-related incidents involving FAMU’s marching band. In 2001, tr umpet player Marcus Parker won a $1.8 million lawsuit against other band members, after being paddled severely during a hazing ritual and suffering renal failure. “They had a hazing that started on a practice field. Then they took him to an apartment off campus and did the hazing,” said David Frank, a Tallahassee attorney who represented Parker. “Ten years later, it’s still happening.” Dr. Julian White, the band director who is fighting the university’s efforts to terminate him, released more than 150 pages of documents showing that he has dismissed dozens of band members in the past decade because they violated the band’ “zero-tolerance” hazing policy. “Inside of the band, that was not tolerated and Dr. White was the authority against all hazing,” said Lawrence Hilson, who played saxophone for the band in the early 1990s. “But you have people going outside of the band creating their own little cultures, their own little organizations, and doing hazing outside of the band.” On Thursday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott asked all 11 state universities to review their anti-hazing policies and penalties. The governor also has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate Champion’s death. The Florida Board of Governors, which sets education policy at state universities, has asked for an investigation into hazing at FAMU. According to the 911 tape, band members tried to revive Champion using CPR before the ambulance arrived. “We have a band member on the bus, and he’s not breathing. I tried to give him CPR and he started to vomit,” a caller told the 911 dispatch. “He’s in my hands, ma’am. He’s cold.”

PAGE 4

THE COLLEGIAN • FEATURES FEATURES EDITOR, THOMAS PEARSON • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

USU Productions plans trips for students By Sam Yoder The Collegian The San Francisco shopping trip has become something of a tradition at Fresno State along with other inexpensive weekend getaways that USU Productions has planned for students. Christine Zeldon, the recreation and leisure coordinator for USU Productions, is the head coordinator for the San Francisco shopping trip that that will take place this Saturday, Dec. 3. “I believe 110 people went on the trip last year,” Zeldon said.

“Last year it was open to the general public. This year we kept it closed to students and student guests.” Zeldon said the goal this year was to make sure more students got to take advantage of the $25 round trip bus ride to San Francisco, rather than people from the community. “We actually sold out the trip for this year,” She said. “A trip to San Francisco for $25 is a lot less than a tank of gas.” The USU Productions advisor, Shawna Blair, said the San Francisco trip has been going on since the 1990’s. “The bus trips are very suc-

cessful and students enjoy attending them and they always sell out,” Blair said. “Our bus trips give students

“O

ur bus trips give students the opportunity to explore California through state parks, large cities, museums and more.” — Shawna Blair, USU productions advisor

McClatchy-Tribune

At the foot of Market St., in San Francisco, the Ferry Building bustles with Saturday morning shoppers. The USU will be making its annual shopping trip.

the opportunity to explore C a l i fo r n i a t h ro u g h s t at e parks, amusement parks, large cities, museums and more.” The USU Productions team has planned many dif ferent trips for students in past semesters including trips to Santa Cr uz, Monterey, Hollywood and Yosemite. It is a safe and affordable way for students to travel to places they might not have been able to visit on their own, a perk Zeldon believes students should take advantage of. “We have also set up bus trips to see Broadway plays such as 'Wicked', 'The Color Pur ple', Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast', Disney's 'The L i o n K i n g ' a n d ' E dw a r d Scissorhands',” Blair said. “It was a lot of fun,” Zeldon said about the San Francisco trip she attended last year. “It’s a great opportunity to gather with your friends and it’s a fun way to spend a day.” Along with getting to spend a day in San Francisco, students that go on the trip can participate in a photo contest to win prizes. Participants will enter photos on the USU Productions Facebook page of themselves around the city wearing the USU Productions button that is given to them at the start of the day. “There will be different categories like most creative, funniest photo, San Francisco at heart and best shopping trip photo,” Zeldon said. “There are water bottles that we give away, free tickets to the bowling alley and things like that.” Alejandra Garcia, public

relations co-coordinator for USU productions, said the photo contest is something they implemented in order to promote USU Productions. “You have to “like” our Facebook page in order to post the pictures,” Garcia said. “We usually get 50 or more “likes” from doing the contest.” The concept was successful during the Yosemite trip done earlier in the year and is something Zeldon and Garcia hope to apply to all future bus trips. The team is still brainstorming about trips for next semester and they plan on doing

“W

e want to do something different for students. Not just your typical sightseeing trip.” — Christine Zeldon, USU Productions recreation and leisure coordinator

some sort of beach trip and museum tour. “We want to start doing something different for students,” Zeldon said. “Not just your typical sightseeing trip.” Students can find out more about USU Productions events by logging on to http://www. auxiliary.com/usu/production/usu_production.html

R.A.D. class offers women lessons in defense By Joyia Sandoval The Collegian This weekend, Fresno State will provide women with the opportunity to lear n about self-defense by offering Rape Aggression Defense System classes. The prog ram is a comprehensive course that concentrates on realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques.

“I

believe this class is effective in preparing women to protect themselves by using easy but effective physical techniques.” — Jennifer Curwick, R.A.D. Instructor

“I believe this class is effective in preparing women to protect themselves by using easy but effective physical techniques,” R.A.D. instructor Sgt. Jennifer Curwick said. “I have received a lot of positive feedback on how the women felt more confident after taking the class, and that's so important when making the decision to defend yourself physically.” R.A.D. courses have been offered at Fresno State for

over 15 years and continue to help educate women about the importance of self-defense. Because the class includes techniques that require physical contact, it is important to provide a safe and comfor table environment for females to learn and practice in. Therefore, the only men allowed in the class are the instructors. “I believe all women should go through this class, not just students. Knowing how to defend yourself and having the confidence to do so is invaluable,” Jennifer Curwick said. “This class is open to any woman over the age of 12. I’ve had girls from the age of 12 all the way up to 65 attend this class, including faculty, staff, students, and their friends and loved ones.” R.A.D. classes will be held Dec. 2 to Dec. 4 and times will vary depending on the day. Although course enrollment is limited to women, the program is open to the general public. The enrollment fee is $15 and grants program graduates access to future R.A.D. classes for the rest of their life. The course focuses on the four risks of personal safety: risk awareness, risk reduction strategies, risk recognition and risk avoidance. The class is a 12-hour course that is broken up into three days where participants will learn about self-defense through lectures, physical instruction and prac-

tice scenarios. Some topics that will be discussed include how to identify personal weapons, vulnerable locations on the body, the importance of defensive postures and the date rape mentality and patterns. “Participants can expect to learn that they can take an active role in defending themselves by using both preventive measures in avoiding compromising situations and also, if necessary, physical defense, regardless of their strength, physical condition or stature,” Jennifer Curwick said. Sgt. Curwick took the R.A.D. class when she was a student assistant for the University Police Department and immediately took interest in becoming an instructor. Curwick has instructed the course for nine years and says these classes are important because any woman can lear n the techniques. Fresno State student, and sgt. Curwick's niece Breanne Curwick has taken the R.A.D. classes at Fresno State since she was 15 years old and says the feeling of empowerment is the most important technique a person will gain from the program. “You don't have to be young, fit or strong in order to be able to get out of harm’s way,” Breanne Curwick said. “The class teaches you how to not only avoid situations, but also

how to think strategically and quickly about getting out of a situation if ever caught in one.”

COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://collegian.csufresno.edu

R.A.D. Class Information $15 Fri. Dec. 2 6-9 p.m. Sat. Dec. 3 1-4 p.m. Sun. Dec. 4 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Phone: 559-278-8400

Wednesday, Dec. 7: Rm. E.D. 140, KSOEHD Doors open: 5:00 p.m. Park in Lot C Film: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Panel and Q&A: 7:45-9:00 Donation: $10 at the door or via website The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture

www.RACETONOWHERE.com

The

Collegian

Arts & EnterTainment FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, JOHNATHAN WILBANKS • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 5

Agatha Christie in her own words By Tish Wells McClatchy-Tribune

McClatchy-Tribune

In time for the holiday season, the 1977 autobiography of mystery writer Agatha Christie has been reissued with an introduction by her grandson, Matthew Prichard. “An Autobiography” is the history of a unique upbringing in a time long gone. It’s a portrait of a childhood and young womanhood that vanished with World War I. What makes this edition special is a CD of Christie dictating parts of the autobiography. The recordings were made from tapes found by Prichard after her death, and painstakingly restored. Agatha Christie was born in September 1890 during the last years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Her happy childhood dominates the first part of the book with rich evocative detail. For example, for her third birthday, “There is a tea-table and it is covered with cakes, with my birthday cake, all sugar icing and with candles in the middle of it. Three candles. And then the exciting occurrence _ a tiny red spider, so small I can hardly see it, runs across the white cloth.

And my mother says: ‘It’s a lucky spider, Agatha, a lucky spider for your birthday ...’ And then the memory fades.” Christie taught herself to read at 5. In her teens and early adulthood she dabbled in music and singing, and fell into writing almost by accident. It was during the war years that she conceived of her famous Belgium detective Hercule Poirot. All writers use their life knowledge in their work, and it’s easy to see where such famous sleuths as Miss Jane Marple and Poirot started. However, fans of the latter may be dismayed to find that Christie disliked her Belgium detective. Christie fell in love and married a Royal Flying Corps pilot named Archibald Christie in 1914 right before he shipped o u t i n Wo rl d Wa r I . S h e entered nursing and end up working in the dispensary, or a pharmacy. This played into her novels since she learned a great deal about drugs, their effects and potential for abuse. She and Christie had an ugly divorce in 1926. Anyone looking for insight into the missing 11 days when she vanished needs to look elsewhere; she mentions how unhappy she

was at the time and how she was annoyed by the press coverage of her disappearance, but nothing more. Her second mar riage, to archeologist Max Mallowan, was a happy one. She traveled often to the Middle East, dabbled in photography and then in writing plays, adapting her own work. To modern eyes, there are jarring elements. She uses the N-word in the title of one book, and in the stage adaptation of it. Her Victorian attitudes are several generations back and some might find them uncomfortable today. Finally, her take on her career? “One of the pleasure of writing detective stories is that there are so many types to chose from: the lighthear ted thriller, which is particularly pleasant to do; the intricate detective story with an involved plot which is technically interesting and requires a great deal of work, but is always rewarding; and then what I can only describe as the detective story that has a kind of passion behind it — that passion being to help save innocence. Because it is innocence that matters, not guilt.”

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary By Billy O’Keefe McClatchy-Tribune Though “Halo: Combat Evolved’s” impact has been exhaustively documented, there may be no finer point than the realization that the 2011 holiday season’s best new first-person shooter may very well be a 10-year-old game with a fresh coat of paint. At least on the solo (or twoplayer co-op) side, that’s what “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” is — a pretty carbon copy of the game that launched with the original Xbox in 2001 and subsequently formed the foundation of a video game juggernaut. Arguably, “Anniversary’s” faithfulness is to a fault if you’re accustomed to the advancements the series has made — from enemy A.I. to the ability to sprint, hijack enemy vehicles and dual-wield weapons — since that first game. Even visually, and regardless of a graphical revamp that brings everything up to par with the recent “Halo” games, there are allusions to yesteryear in the jerky way other characters animate and the odd turns enemies sometimes make when flanking and backpedaling. The upside to staying so faithful? A cool trick that lets you swap between the old and new graphics at any time with a single button press. The transition is a little awkward insofar that the screen briefly

fades to black without stopping the action. But as a fulfillment of curiosity and a jawdropping demonstration of how far graphics have come in a decade, it’s a wonderful little touch. (Just be sure to use it when the coast is clear.) As it happens, the rest of the game remains pretty wonderful as well. “Halo’s” sequels and prequels have outdone it in terms of scope, design variety and level arrangements, but the tenets of those great games — wide-open battlefields, branching paths even indoors, enemies that swarm and flank as well as rush in packs, numerous opportunities for devising your own unique plan of attack — are fully intact here. It was groundbreaking in 2001, and in 2011, following on the heels of oppressively linear military shooters that routinely punish creativity in their campaigns, it still puts many of its newer, flashier contemporaries to shame. For those who never played it on the original Xbox, the full-circle timing of this anniversary release could not be better. Last year’s “Halo: Reach” allowed players to play out the story that fed into the events of the original game, so if “Anniversary” is new to you, it may as well be a sequel to “Reach” in the same way a “Star Wars” movie from 1977 is a sequel to one released in 2005. For the returning players,

Dean Rutz / McClatchy-Tribune

Marty O’Donnell, pictured in his Bungie studio in Kirkland, Wash., composed the music for the “Halo” video game.

each mission hides a terminal that unlocks new insights — courtesy of perennial series antagonist 343 Guilty Spark — about where the series is headed when the next “Halo” trilogy kicks off next year. The terminals are sometimes harder to find than they should be, but for the diehards, they’re absolutely worth seeking out. “Anniversary’s” faithfulness isn’t quite as hardcore

on the multiplayer side (16 players). The game includes remastered versions of six classic maps and some match configurations that allow players to re-enact the original game’s four-player multiplayer, but it uses “Reach’s” multiplayer engine to power it. At no point does “Anniversary” pretend otherwise: The game uses the “Reach” branding, includes

all of its features (from Forge mode to jetpacks), and allows you to play with “Reach” players who purchase the six maps as a $15 download. The maps that shipped with “Reach” aren’t included on “Anniversary,” but in a generous touch, “Anniversary” includes a code that lets you download the maps for free and use them in “Reach” if you have a copy.

PAGE 6

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, JOHNATHAN WILBANKS • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

The daily crossword Across 1 Family nickname 5 Turkeys 10 Together, in scores 14 Say and mean 15 “Star Wars” name 16 Locks that are hard to manage 17 Shed tool 18 Restraints to prevent the eating of forbidden fruit? 20 “Who am __ judge?” 21 ID theft target 22 Eastern faith 23 Crooned while tipsy? 26 Sleep: Pref. 28 Present in court 29 Resistant to punches? 32 Officiate 34 Word often ignored in alphabetizing 35 Golfs, e.g. 36 Scary place to pray? 40 Thickness 42 Wide size 43 Big-league 44 Actor Holbrook under the weather? 48 Island mentioned in the Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” 52 At __: in one go 53 Underwater menace? 55 Doha resident 58 Patience-virtue link 59 Regulus’s

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis Los Angeles Times

Puzzle by Mike Peluso

constellation 60 Rooster that doesn’t wake you up? 62 End of school? 63 Rhode Island senator for whom an education grant is named 64 Struggling with 65 Community service org. 66 Escaped 67 “Then ...”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

68 One good at takeoffs Down 1 Model/actress Berenson 2 Online image 3 Vietnam’s __ Delta 4 Exist 5 Met villains, perhaps 6 Round gaskets 7 McKinley, e.g.: Abbr. 8 Leader

9 Junior-to-be 10 Key related to C 11 Cop’s order 12 Thus far 13 Twisting shape 19 Struggle with sassafras? 21 Absolute 24 Sage 25 Restaurant pots 27 They might happen 30 “The Motorcycle Diaries” subject 31 McCain : Palin :: Dole : __ 33 Went up 36 One of seven in this clue 37 Casual “Sure” 38 Italian luxury label 39 Legendary accounts 40 Free TV ad 41 Strong finish? 45 Younger, as a sister 46 Play-of-color gem 47 Camera store choices 49 Tanning booth item, briefly 50 “The Devil’s Dictionary” author 51 12-time All-Star Roberto 54 Invite as one’s date for 56 Self-titled 2000s sitcom 57 Self-assured statement 60 Basker’s abbr. 61 A little off 62 One-named R&B singer

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Word of the Day

Void the warranty To perform an activity in an extreme fashion.

Source: UrbanDictionary.com

Reality TV’s new breed of stars By Robert Lloyd McClatchy-Tribune LOS ANGELES — Living in the farther reaches of basic cable are a growing number of television series about what might be called “ordinary people” at work in what most of us would consider extraordinary jobs. It is lazily tempting, though not quite right, to describe these shows as redneck or blue-collar or rural, but they are mostly set away from big cities in places that — apart from these shows — you don’t often see on TV: Southern places and prairie places and backwoods places. You can link their titles into a kind of poetical assoc i a t ive c h a i n : “ I c e Ro a d Truckers,” “American Joggers,” “Lady Joggers,” “Ax Men,” “American Loggers,” “Swamp Loggers,” “Swamp Brothers,” “Swamp People,” “Swamp Wars” — do you see a pattern emerging? — “Bear Swamp Recovery,” “Lizard Lick Towing,” “Black Gold,” “Gold Rush” (formerly “Gold Rush Alaska”), “Flying Wild Alaska,” “Deadliest Catch,” “Hillbilly Handfishin”” and the just-begun “Big Shrimpin.’” They make their home on networks like Discovery, History, TruTV, A&E and Animal Planet. Even National Geographic Channel has its cor n-pone science show, “Rocket City Rednecks,” which debuted in Se ptember. It is a sort of “Mythbusters” with an Alabama accent, whose “backwoods geniuses” make rocket fuel from moonshine whiskey and armor a truck with beer cans.

Jim Bates / McClatchy-Tribune

Sig Hansen poses for portrait with his boat, the Northwestern, docked at Ballard in Seattle, Washington, March 3, 2010. He is famous because he and his boat are featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch.”

Cable TV likes to show people at work; it is an economical way to mount a series. There is built-in color there and, with a little help, drama: There is always something that needs to be done (in almost anybody’s life) on too little money and with too little time. The series listed above are the muddier cousins of shows like “Cake Boss” and “DC Cupcakes,” and of the many “get rich by serving the rich” series so beloved by Bravo. It is part of their point, wh i ch i s a s o ften as not clothed as comedy, that the work they show is physically dangerous, because of the landscape and elements in which it is perfor med and/or because it involves things, machine or animal or human, that might kill you. In Discovery’s Appalachiaset “Moonshiners,” premier-

ing Tuesday, the stars (Tim the Moonshiner, Tickle the Sidekick, Popcorn the Legend, as a promo spot names them), would appear — appear — to be breaking the law, which is a whole other sort of risktaking. (The network also has “Weed Wars,” about the medical marijuana business, beginning Thursday.) Blue collars and rednecks aside, these series are not really about class. A little financial struggle is good for the narrative, nevertheless, and we’re regularly reminded of the money an enterprise is liable to lose when this or that thing goes wrong, but by and large these are not people operating on the margins. Neither is politics, which can be an alienating force in entertainment television, part of the package. But the work does matter,

especially compared to the rest of television, where it is mostly just a decoration. For all the hokum, these are shows about getting the job done. Expertise and capability, which also power cooking and home improvement shows, is just plain attractive, whether it’s knowing how to keep a big truck running in arctic weather or to wrangle a large and deadly snake into a trash can — for its own good, I hasten to add. (Not all animals are as safe here: You do not want to be an alligator in “Swamp People,” about people who kill them; ditto a wild boar in “American Hoggers” or a catfish around the Hillbilly Handfishers. (Their shows come with viewer advisories you ought to take seriously.). It is probably enough to say that there will be some in the audience who will iden-

tify with these characters and others who regard them as interesting specimens. They speak in Cajun cadences, in the accents of Maine and Oklahoma. (Even MTV, which has just ordered “Buck Wild,” “following the colorful antics of a group of friends just out of high school in rural West Virginia,” is looking in that direction.) Some smoke cigarettes, and not to look sophisticated. They dress in their own clothes, for comfort or for work. Many could stand to lose a few pounds, to start. With some exceptions — the female characters tend to be conventionally hot, conventionally — they are not like people Hollywood casts for lead roles. Some are even old — the men of “Gold Rush,” out of work and prospecting for gold, are almost all in their 40s, 50s and 60s, and that is part of the story. As TV, there is something refreshing about it. As with most reality TV, the reality in these series is modified and mediated. TruTV’s motto, “Not reality, actuality,” is a tacit admission that reality is now an empty word, although the network is home to the comically unconvincing repo shows “Bear Swamp Recovery” and “Lizard Lick Towing,” which pits its heroes against deadbeat strippers, prostitutes and moonshiners, as boss Ron Shirley delivers his colorful play-by-play: “She’s madder than a hornet with no stinger, baby!” But as in professional wrestling, which this oddly resembles, the fakery is part of the fun.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, JERRY HUERTA • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 7

Fresno State dominates in SMU Tournament

the upset against both Stanford and Oklahoma behind leading scorers, sophomore Ki-Ki Moore and junior After being crowned the Hoops for Rosie Moult. Moore has provided that the Cure Tour nament champions scoring punch for the ‘Dogs as she on Saturday in their 88-67 win over has averaged 19.3 points per game and Southern Methodist, the women’s basbecame Fresno State’s go-to-scorer. ketball team is still looking to improve Moult is right behind Moore in the as they face stiff competition next scoring department as she has averweek, including two nationally ranked aged 14.5 points per game. opponents. Moore was named WAC Women’s With two wins in the tournament, Basketball Player of the Week after her head coach Adrian Wiggins talked performance last week where she averabout the impact of being crowned the aged 24 points, 5.5 rebounds and four tournament champions. assists per game over the weekend. “To win their clasMoore was also named sic was a good conMost Valuable Player of fidence boost, but the Hoops for the Cure o win their classic we still have tough tour nament after her was a good configames this month,” 28-point perfor mance Wiggins said. “So it’s in the championship dence boost.” a good chance for us game. to get better.” Wi t h M o o r e a n d — Adrian Wiggins, The next two games Moult providing a onewomen’s basketball coach two scoring punch for will give the ‘Dogs their chance as they F resno State, it has p l ay t h e t o u g h e s t allowed the ‘Dogs to not part yet, with No. 6 Stanford and No. miss a beat in scoring average as they 18 Oklahoma both paying visits to the have averaged 78 points a game on the Fresno State on Sunday and Thursday, season. respectively. Although Moore and Moult have The Bulldogs will need to utilize its stepped their games up this season, home court advantage as they welFresno State is still going to need some come Stanford and Oklahoma to the of its younger Bulldogs to contribute Save Mart Center where Fresno State to be able to come out of this current is 89-26 in nine seasons, including 71-14 stretch of games successful. under Wiggins, who is currently in his “It’s still early so we still need to figseventh season as the face of the proure out the roles of our team,” Wiggins gram. said. “We have a lot of learning to do The defending Wester n Athletic about who can make shots from where Conference champions will look to get on the floor and who can cover whom. By Angel Moreno The Collegian

“T

Esteban Cortez / The Collegian

Sophomore Ki-Ki Moore earned Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball player of the week after she averaged 24 points and 80 percent from three-point range in SMU Tournament.

Right now, it’s about finding that identity for our team.” And with Moore and Moult already making an impact on the floor, the ‘Dogs will need some of other players to get wins during this tough stretch of upcoming games. Two of the players that have contributed more this season are guard Blakely Goldberg, who is averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in her first year in the starting lineup and

center Veronica Wilson, who has provided a scoring presence off the bench, scoring 8.5 points per game. Despite an impressive start, Wiggins knows his young team still has much to experience early in the season. “We’re playing against some big, fast and strong athletes, so we’re going to have to play on a high level,” said Wiggins. “These names will really help us feel like we belong [with the best] and we’re confident.”

Collegian Q&A with San Diego State’s sports editor F

resno State is coming off another tough loss at the hands of Western Athletic Conference rival San Jose State. Now, the ‘Dogs have one more chance to get a win against Mountain West Conference member San Diego State. This game will have bigger implications than usual with the Oil Can Trophy on the

line. This will be a key game for the ‘Dogs to gain some momentum going into the offseason. Antonio Morales is the sports editor at San Diego State and The Collegian editor Jerry Huerta caught up with him to talk about what the ‘Dogs can expect from the Aztecs in a battle between old rivals.

Q: What are some thoughts on running back Ronnie Hillman? A: He’s an electrifying playmaker, a home run hitter and now that he’s added some weight, he can carry the ball more. He’s the best player on the San Diego State football team and probably the best running back in the Mountain West Conference. Q : What has quarterback Ryan Lindley meant to the program this season? A: I don’t think it’s this season, but more like all five years he’s been here. When he got here the team was terrible and now he’s on the verge of leading the team to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in [what seems like] forever. He lost his top-flight receivers from a season ago, so his numbers have dipped this season, but he’s still the leader of the team. Q: Who is the leader of the defense? A: Linebacker Miles Burris is the heart and soul of the Aztec defense. He has 17 tackles for loss and six sacks this season. Q: What can Fresno State expect from San Diego State’s defense? A: A lot of blitzes and opportunities to crack some big plays, which the Aztec defense seems prone to give up. Q: Which players are difference makers in the secondary, linebacking corps and defensive line? A: Defensive back Larry Parker has six interceptions this year, three forced

fumbles and a fumble recovery this season. He has been a difference maker in the secondary. Burris is a difference maker in the linebacking corps and senior Jerome Long is the leader on the defensive line. Q: How has head coach Rocky Long impacted this program in his first year as the face of Aztec football? A: He’s kept the program stable so far and has the same exact record as Brady Hoke through 11 games. His impact will be known next season when the team loses Lindley, some offensive lineman and Burris. Q: What will it take for San Diego State to beat Fresno State on Saturday? A: A fast start and solid run defense. The team has gotten off to a slow start almost every game and sometimes it has come back to hurt them. The Aztecs will need solid run defense because if the defense can’t stop the run, Robbie Rouse could have a field day. Q: What does it mean for the San Diego State to play against Fresno State for the first time in a while and to renew rivalry with the ‘Dogs going to the Mountain West Conference next year? A: You may have already heard, but this game has been dubbed the “Battle For The Oil Can,” which is pretty interesting. The players didn’t know much about the rivalry, it’s been a while since the two teams played, but I think the team is excited to have a natural rival now.

The

Collegian

SPORTS

CARR CLOSING IN ON RECORD

Quarterback Derek Carr is the 18th-rated passer in the country and needs just 52 more yards to break Kevin Sweeney’s record for the most passing yards for a sophomore.

PAGE 8

SPORTS EDITOR, JERRY HUERTA • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

WEEK 13 PREVIEW

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, AT 5 PM, QUALCOMM STADIUM

Bulldog Game Day FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS

SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

2011 OVERALL RECORD

4-8

7-4

VS.

CONFERENCE RECORD

3-4

4-3 Analysis by Jerry Huerta

TELEVISION: CBS COLLEGE SPORTS RADIO: KMJ-AM 580 AND KGST-AM 1600 (ESPN DEPORTES)

Keys to Victory 1. Contain the Hillman Fresno State faces probably one of the best running backs in the country on Saturday in Ronnie Hillman. He is currently fourth in the country in yards per game with 134.4 and fifth in total rushing yards. Fresno State will need to contain him to leave Qualcomm Stadium with a “W.” 2. Limit the ‘Big Play’ It is week 13 and this is still one the keys to victory because it has been an ongoing problem all year. This will be Fresno State’s final chance to right this problem up before the start of the offseason. San Diego State’s rushing attack will challenge the ‘Dogs. 3. Continue making plays It’s Carr’s season finale and contining the trend of big-play threats is crucial. Look for Carr to find his top target Jalen Saunders and have Rouse spell the aerial attack.

Position matchups

Player to watch: Bryce Harris, left tackle Esteban Cortex /The Collegian

The ‘Dogs will need to spread the wealth between all of the weapons, especially to wide receiver Isaiah Burse, who led the ‘Dogs with 135 yards last week.

Breakdown: Bulldogs

Fresno State has reached the end of its 13-game season and it hasn’t really turned out the way the ‘Dogs expected. Fresno State is currently 4-8, which is the worst record since 2006. With such a disappointing record, the ‘Dogs were eliminated from bowl contention a couple weeks ago and, the first time since that 2006 season. There is still plenty of left for the ‘Dogs going forward. The most important thing is for a win so they can have something to build off of going into the offseason. The second thing is to get some experience for some of the younger players that are expected to step into leadership roles in the future. Also at stake is the Oil Can Trophy, which

will restart a long-standing rivalry. On offense, the ‘Dogs will need sophomore quarterback Derek Carr to get the b a l l i n h i s p l ay m a ke r s ’ hands, especially with sophomore Jalen Saunders on the deep ball. Carr will also have running back Robbie Rouse behind him to give him that security blanket in the run game. Another vital part of the offense has to be senior kicker Kevin Goessling, who became the all-time leading scorer in last week’s loss to San Jose State. The defense will need to contain Ronnie Hillman if it wants the Aztec fans to leave Qualcomm Stadium with a bad taste in their mouths and get their fifth win the season.

Breakdown: Aztecs

This game on Saturday has much more on the line than any other nonconference game that Fresno State and San Diego State have played in this season. There is a prize for the winner of this matchup at Qualcomm Stadium: the right to the Oil Can Trophy. This matchup also will restart the rivalry between the two schools that have battled it out 50 times in the series.With Fresno State’s i m p e n d i n g m ove t o t h e Mountain West Conference next season, this will give the ‘Dogs a first-hand look of an upcoming conference opponent. The main focus for Fresno State will be on running back Ronnie Hillman, who is cur-

rently one of the top running backs in the nation. He is fourth in yards per game and fifth in total rushing yards. The ‘Dogs won’t be able to just focus on Hillman with senior Ryan Lindley behind center. Lindley has led the Aztecs to two consecutive seven-win seasons with the opportunity for San Diego State to pick up its eighth win on Saturday. The San Diego State defense could also give Carr and company fits as it employs a 3-3-5 base defense with three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs. At the center of this defense is linebacker Miles Burris, who has 17 tackles for loss and six sacks on the season.

Getting to know the San Diego State Aztecs

Peter Kluch /The Daily Aztec

Player to watch: Ronnie Hillman, running back

Wins against: Cal Poly, Army, Washington State, Air Force, New Mexico, Colorado State, UNLV Losses to: Michigan, TCU, Wyoming, Hawaii, Boise State, Head coach: Rocky Long, 1st year Offense: Pro Style Defense: 3-3-5 Key players: Ronnie Hillman, RB, Ryan Lindley, QB, Larry Parker, DB, Miles Burris, LB

Series record: San Diego State leads 26-20-4 Last meeting: 2002, Fresno State won 16-14 Point spread: San Diego State favored by 8 points EDITOR’S PREDICTION: San Diego State: 27, Fresno State: 24

VIDEO: Look for the Fresno State-San Diego State preview online. http://collegian.csufresno.edu

When Fresno State runs: Advantage - Fresno State Junior Robbie Rouse could finish the season as one of the top running backs in the country, statistically. Rouse’s big numbers have been aided by his 309 carries on the season. When San Diego State runs: Advantage - San Diego State This could be the Rouse versus Hillman show as both are among the top running backs in the nation. The Fresno State run defense is facing its stiffest test on the ground for the 2011 season. When Fresno State passes: Advantage - Fresno State QB Derek Carr has been a consistent force in the passing game all season and needs to continue that in the final game of his inaugural season as a starter. When San Diego State passes: Advantage - San Diego State Senior Ryan Lindley has had a down year compared to last year, but Fresno State has one of the worst pass defenses in the WAC. Special teams: Advantage - Even Senior Kevin Goessling became the all-time leading scorer in Bulldog history this past Saturday and will try to continue his consistent play against the Aztecs.