November 26 2012

MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONS VIDEO

What does the Santa Claus story say about adults? OPINION Big Brothers Big Sisters teaches children important life lessons FEATURES Derek Carr claims two national awards after huge passing game SPORTS

Visit The Collegian Online to see more from the Bulldogs’ first conference championship win in 13 years

MONday Issue November 26, 2012 FRESNO STATE

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922

’DOGS CLAIM CONFERENCE CROWN SEE PAGE 8

Roe Borunda / The Collegian

Quarterback Derek Carr hoists up the Mountain West Conference championship trophy in a crowd of Bulldogs after defeating Air Force Academy on Saturday. Fresno State finished the season with a 9-3 record under the leadership of new head coach Tim DeRuyter. The ’Dogs will attempt to go for their 10th win in either the Las Vegas Bowl or Hawaii Bowl, which will be announced Dec. 2.

Big Brothers Big Sisters gives at-risk kids a new future

By Cameron Woolsey The Collegian Growing up, some of the most important lessons in childrens’ lives come from their parents.

In a nor mal household, children learn how to be responsible, how to take care of themselves, how to manage peer pressure and so on.

But sometimes a special circumstance arises and a child is in danger of losing out on those priceless lessons. In a one-parent household, a parent can be of desperate need for help.

For around 40 years Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California has stepped in and filled the necessary gap in the lives of many such children.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters professionally matches youth with mentors,” said Nancy Conway, the organization’s fund development officer.

“We can help them with basic life skills,” she said. “We don’t have to spend money every time. It’s not about

that; it’s about helping them.

“It’s about letting them see there are other options in their life.”

The organization connects a child in need, called a Little, with an adult, called a Big, who is willing to spend a little bit of time being there for the child.

The organization’s biggest impact, Conway said, is in education.

According to the company’s statistics, more than 50 percent of children in the program are less likely to skip school, and 37 percent are less likely to skip class.

It was also reported that the students are more confident in themselves, which positively influences better performance with schoolwork, resulting in higher grade-point averages.

Matthew Boam was 6 years old when he met his Big, John Merrit.

Merrit, who went by the name Wes, was 29 years old when the two first met.

See BIG, Page 3

Courtesy of Matthew Boam

Matthew Boam (right) says he owes everything to his Big Brother John Merrit. Boam’s love of broadcast helped him get a job as a multimedia instructor at Lemoore High School.

Richter Center fundraiser to provide books for kids

By Alan Wileman The Collegian The Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and ServiceLearning at Fresno State has teamed up with First Book Fresno to promote this year’s annual Holiday Gift Project Fundraiser for kids.

The fundraiser is being held between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. Proceeds will go to provide books and “gifts of literacy” to

children who participate in programs offered by the Bulldog Pantry.

As the holiday season nears, Fresno State and First Book Fresno are calling for the support and good will of the community. The money raised will go to buying new books for children from low-income families who do not have the resources or access in their communities to new books and learning resources.

First Book is a nation-wide fundrais-

ing program which brings together non profit organizations, businesses and community programs to help provide books to kids in need. It has distributed more than 90 million books and learning tools to programs serving lowincome families throughout the United States and Canada.

Some organizations that work directly with First Book include United Way, Disney, Target and Feeding America, along with many more. Every sponsor

helps host fundraisers, like the Holiday Gift Project Fundraiser, to raise money to purchase books and distribute them in communities around America.

“This project’s goal is to put books in the homes of children in order to instill an excitement for reading, increase literacy levels, and decrease poverty in our community,” was the mission on the flyer passed out throughout Fresno See BOOKS, Page 3

The

Collegian

Opinion PAGE 2

THE REAL WORD OF THE DAY

Valetudinarian (noun): excessively concerned about one’s poor health or ailments.

OPINION EDITOR, LIANA WHITEHEAD • COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU

The Santa ‘Clause’

By Haley Lambert The Collegian As a child I loved Christmas.

My father would tell me to write a “Santa List.” I imagined all of the possibilities – everything from horses to Legos to ski boats.

Mama and Pops would discuss the first draft with me. Their edits to the list were accompanied by explanations like, “Haley, Santa can’t hold a horse in his sleigh,” or “We talked with him and he (Santa) thinks this would be a better present — more useful.”

I should have realized then the charade my parents were playing.

After all, if a morbidly obese senior citizen can round the globe in a reindeer-powered sleigh and make innumerable pit stops, why can’t he bring me (and other kids) horses or boats?

Clausism, the belief that Santa exists as a human being, finds its premise in the strange logic that a human can function within our dimension of time though he performs a task that would likely take an infinite number of hours.

And, he is doing all of this while driving a flying sleigh lead by reindeer.

My parents fueled this belief in

Santa Claus until I was eight years old.

Mental health professionals might consider my parent’s persistence on Clausism unhealthy, but outdone only by their allowing my sister to believe up to age 10.

I was told in April. As I watched Mama make dinner, I began waxing poetic about Christmastime. She looked up from her work and said my name in a frank but sweet tone.

She explained the lie. The one about this farcical old fart who drives sleighs and gives gifts.

Though I was disappointed, I felt OK with both having been duped and being told I had spent eight years believing in a fake.

Though my little brain could not articulate the feeling, I think now the truth-telling was a rite of passage.

My parents realized my ability to compute the happenings of our reality: the ups and downs of work, leisure and relationships.

Looking back, my parents’ revealing to me the truth of Santa Claus was likely more difficult for them than for myself. They were actively admitting my loss of innocence to the realities of life.

If I was aware of paychecks, bills and credit cards, how could they

allow me to keep believing in an ageless man with flying pets who once a year gives out free gifts?

It would have insulted the more acute intelligence my eight-year-old brain was beginning to express.

In some cultures the rite stating a child is growing up includes teeth being pulled out or body parts being cut off, so I do not think Western culture’s allowance of Clausism is all that harmful. In fact, it points to an interesting assumption.

Though we, as adults, refuse to believe in a supernatural immortal who flies through the heavens giving gifts, why do we allow our children to believe in him?

Parents have the tendency to place their own dreams and desires within their children. This is not necessarily wrong, as it can provide structure and a sense of usefulness.

So the question is: Does our insistence on Santa point to our own internal desire for a kind, immortal being who gives gifts based solely on his benevolent judgment of our goodness?

C

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

Source: Dictionary.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

WEB-SPE@K Response: ‘The Thanksgiving turkey: an unusual history’ William S: “Reflecting on a letter Benjamin Franklin wrote to his daughter two years after the eagle was adopted by Congress as the symbol of America, he wrote of the ‘bad moral character’ of the eagle who would rather steal fish than hunt, placing full faith in the turkey: ‘I am on this account not displeased that the figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For the truth the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America… He is besides, though a little vain and silly, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.’”

Response: ‘Wrestling wants back in’ Frankie: “I’m a wrestler in the Central Valley. I started last year, and I think that if Fresno State were to get its wrestling program back it could help the future of many student athletes because they may choose to stay in the Valley and still want to wrestle. I know many wrestlers that are really good, but had to go to a community college because they wanted to wrestle close to home. If community colleges can afford it, so should Fresno State.”

McClatchy - Tribune

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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.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS NEWS EDITOR, ROGUE MORALES • COLLEGIAN-NEWS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 3

BOOKS: Donations from the community welcome CONTINUED from page 1

Photos by Cary Edmondson / University Communications

The Rue and Gibson Farm Market is located just south of the current market and is expected to open early 2013. The new market was made possible by a $1.5 million donation by the estate of Joyce Mae Gibson.

New Gibson Farm Market taking shape Via University Communications The roof is on and the framing is done as construction of the new Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State continues.

The 4,800 square-foot building will have 2,350 square feet of floor space, nearly doubling the retail area of the current market at Chestnut and Barstow avenues. The new Gibson Farm Market is going up just south of the current market. Opening is expected in early 2013.

The new market is possible because of a $1.5 million dollar bequest from the estate of Joyce Mae Gibson. When the gift was announced in 2008, the farm market was renamed to honor her parents, Rue and Gwen Gibson.

Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of the nuts, candies, meat and dairy Jordan College of Agricultural products, wines and prepared Sciences and Technology, said foods. For the holidays, the the new Gibson Farm Market market offers gift baskets and will try to amplify a farm to also has student-raised turkeys fork theme by stepping beyond available. the usual role of a store.

The current market remains “Customers not only will be open during construction. able to shop for their favorite Market hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fresno State products, they’ll Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. get to see and experience how Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the products are produced Sunday. and processed,” Boyer said during the groundbreaking ceremony in April.

The Gibson Far m Market is operated by students in the Jo r d a n C o l l e g e and sells studentg row n a n d s t u - The Rue and Gibson Farm market will be operated d e n t - p r o d u c e d by students in the Jordan College and sell studentfruits, vegetables, grown and student-produced foods and goods.

used to help promote the project fundraiser.

Renee Delport, special events and projects coordinator at Fresno State, is helping orchestrate the event and hopes that those in the community who are able will donate.

“It is important to realize that not all kids have books,” Delport said. “When kids are given books it opens a whole new world of possibilities for them.”

A donation of $10 can provide up to four new books and 100 percent of the proceeds goes to buying new books, most of which are for the local community. All donations are taxdeductible.

The donations for this year’s Holiday Gift Project Fundraiser would go to this organization to be able to use to purchase books in their communities.

“This year the organization that will be awarded is Every Neighborhood Partnership for their projects in the El Dorado and Vinland neighborhoods,” Delport said.

Every Neighborhood

Partnership (ENP) is a Fresno based organization that focuses on the communities helping one another. The ENP’s goal, according to the groups mission statement, is “to equip churches to partner with and serve elementary school neighborhoods through their active presence in the community.”

Donations to the fundraiser can be mailed or dropped off at the Richter Center between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. Donations must be received by Dec. 1 to be used for this specific project.

Checks should be made payable to “First Book Fresno” and mail-ins should be mailed to Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning 5241 N. Maple Ave. M/S TA 120 Fresno, CA 93740-8027.

For more information about the Holiday Gift Fundraising Project, contact Renee Delport ( r d e l p o r t @ c s u f r e s n o. e d u ) or stop by The Jan and Bud Richter Center. For more infor mation on First Book, visit firstbook.org

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

News Briefs The Bulldog Pride Fund (BPF) will be awarding five scholarships of $2,000 each ($10,000 total) in the 2013-14 academic year. The scholarship application window for Fresno State is now open through February 28, 2013. The BPF is looking for candidates with the following criteria: (1) Academic achievement; (2) Financial need,

and (3) Community service. In the narrative section of the application, please note, most importantly, your community and/or volunteer service by providing specific examples.

Apply online: http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/scholarships/scholarshipapplication/.

Bulldog flyover features Academy, Fresno State alumni pilots Via University Communications Military Appreciation Day at the Nov. 24 football game between the F resno State Bulldogs and the Air Force Academy Falcons included a military tribute complete with a flyover featuring alumnipilots, a large U.S. flag on the field, military vehicles, Toysfor-Tots drive, and a militarythemed halftime show.

President John D. Welty hosted commanders of the California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Wing based in Fresno and Naval Air Station Lemoore (NASL), bases that have provided the majority of flyover services for Bulldog games.

Moments before Saturday’s kickof f, the 144th Fighter Wing conducted a two-ship F-16 flyover. The pilots manning the jets are graduates of the schools on the field. Col.

Clay Garrison from Madera is an alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Capt. Luke Campagne from Sanger was a Smittcamp Honors College student at Fresno State.

Local military commanders joined President Welty at the game. Together they greeted the highest-ranking military officer attending the game, Air Force Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould.

The three-star general often travels with the Falcons to their away games, standing on the sideline with his team. He accepted an invitation to visit the President’s skybox to meet local commanders including Col. Sami D. Said of the 144th Fighter Wing and Capt. Eric Venema of the NASL. Additional 144th commanders who were at the game are Col. Reed C. Drake, Col. Gary Kellogg, Col. Joseph M. Pascuzzo and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Thornell.

Adding to the list of dignitaries was Dr. Sam Iacobellis, a Fresno State alumnus w h o s e r ve d a s Ro c k w e l l International’s program manager for development and manufacture of the B-1B. He was be on the field for the flyover along with President Welty, Lt. Gen. Gould, the two base commanders and Dr. Peter Smits, vice president for University Advancement.

Fresno State and the U.S. Air Force Academy met for the first time since 2000. With the win, the Bulldogs captured the Mountain West championship their first season in the league.

This is also the Bulldogs first year with coach Tim DeRuyter, who is an alumnus of the Academy.

“We’re pleased with the success of Coach DeRuyter in his first year. This is an exciting game, both as an opportunity to clinch the title, but more importantly to honor the ser-

vicemen and women who serve our country,” Welty said. “We are especially honored by the presence of Gen. Gould and our own local commanders.”

Also attending was Fresno State’s own Air Force ROTC c o m m a n d e r, L t . C o l M at t Buehler. He expects more than 100 Academy alumni to be in the crowd.

“T his is a big g ame for many of us in the Air Force,” Buehler said. “We appreciate that the Bulldogs and the Red Wave fans are paying a special tribute to our Armed Forces.”

At the game, military vehicles also were stationed outside the four main entrances.

U.S. Marines greeted fans in uniform collecting toys for the annual Toys for Tots drive.

A Joint Color Guard commandeered by the Air Force ROTC and consisting of representatives of the nation’s military branches, presented colors. As the Fresno State

Bulldog Marching Band performed the National Anthem, as a large U.S. flag was unfurled on the field.

F iv e 2 0 1 2 O u t s t a n d i n g Air men of the Year awardees from the 144th were honored at the game: Sr. Airman Jed Rhine, Airman category; Tech. Srgt. Jason Ganner, Non-commissioned Of ficer cate gory; Sr. Master Srgt.

Justin Matlock, Senior Noncommissioned Officer category; Master Srgt. Jamie Snider, First Sergeant category ; Kevin S w ay n e, C o m p a n y G r a d e Officer -First Lieutenant; and Major Jonathan Cartwright, Field Grade Officer.

Other highlights of Military Appreciation Day included the Dogs’ Army ROTC Pushup Crew. Every time the ‘Dogs scored, the Air Force officer candidates did push-ups for each Fresno State point accumulated.

The

Collegian

FEATURES PAGE 4

FEATURES EDITOR, CAMERON WOOLSEY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

BIG: Organization helps teach children life lessons CONTINUED from page 1 “He was the best thing to ever happen to me as a child,” Boam said.

“He was something I could look up to,” Boam said. “He taught me a lot. He taught me ethics, responsibility. He’s a friend, he’s a mentor, he’s a father figure, (and) he’s a disciplinarian.”

Boam said that Merrit, who was a deputy county counsel for Fresno County at the time, taught him ethics and much more.

“There were also other things he taught me like doing yard work, paying bills, being responsible,” Boam said. “A lot of people think that Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about having fun.

“It’s actually more than that; these are mentors (who help) these kids learn new skills.”

With Mer rit behind him, Boam became successful in his education, ultimately going to Fresno State as a history major with a minor in geography.

For four years he worked at KFSR at Fresno State doing traffic, production and a Wednesday afternoon metal show.

Boam loved radio, and for a short while he operated a pirate radio station at Fresno City playing metal, that is, until the FCC caught wind and shut it down.

While at Fresno State, he got his teaching credentials in social science. He also tutored at schools such as Fresno High School and Wawona Middle School.

Boam fell in love with teaching, and today he is a multimedia instructor at a regional occupational program class at Lemoore High School. He has been there for around nine years.

“I have a good life,” Boam said. “I have a really good life right now and that’s because of Wes Merrit.”

“If it wasn’t for Wes Merrit and Big Brothers I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today,” he said. “I want to be a mentor to these kids.”

For six months out of the year, Boam also referees soccer games for Fresno City.

“I think anyone that’s interested in being a Big Brother or Big Sister would influence a life,” Boam said. “I think it’s a great program, especially for at-risk kids. It’s very self-rewarding.”

Ernesto Cazares, 28, also has Big Brothers Big Sisters to thank for get-

ting him to where he is today.

When he was 9 years old, he was living with his mother who was raising Cazares by herself. Cazares’ father wasn’t there for him.

“He never was a father,” Cazares said. “He never did anything that a dad would do for his kids.

“I remember going to all these baseball games, and I saw kids with their dads and I never had that experience.

That was very tough for me.”

Cazares was introduced to Eric Ayala who was around 21 years old at the time. Cazares said that their first meeting was tense.

“It was really weird for me,” he said.

“But he seemed like a fun guy so that kind of eased the awkwardness.”

Their first trip together was to the Big Fresno Fair.

Cazares said that they hung out, played catch and every so often went to the movies. But mostly they just stayed in and talked about life.

“That’s what I needed,” Cazares said.

“Those were good times for me to have.”

Cazares said he and Ayala talked about what to expect in Cazares’ teenage years. Cazares said he lear ned valuable lessons on how to handle peer pressure and how to stay away from the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“During our time together, he was a great mentor for me,” he said. “He was somebody I knew I could count on and somebody who modeled what it is to be a responsible adult.”

Ayala was taking courses at Fresno City College at the time, and he enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for extra credit in one of his classes.

Ayala was only supposed to be there for a semester. Instead, he stayed with the program for many years as a mentor for Cazares.

“He said it really was a life-changing experience for him,” Cazares said. “He really enjoyed it.”

Cazares went to Fresno State as a criminology major and graduated in 2009.

He recently finished his masters in school counseling, and plans to work as a behavioral coach for students.

Cazares said he believes that his experience with Ayala was an important part of his life, and that is why he decided to start a career working with kids.

He said: “I see a lot of myself in the kids that I work with.”

Photos courtesy of Matthew Boam

John Merrit taught his Little, Matthew Boam (right), how to be responsiblity, ethics, responsibility and new skills.

CALL US ABOUT OUR HYDROGRAPHICS

PAGE 6

THE COLLEGIAN • SCIENCE & CULTURE SCIENCE & CULTURE EDITOR, JEFF SMITH • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

The daily crossword

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis Los Angeles Times

C

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

Thanksgiving Tetris Puzzle by Mike Peluso

C

PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Copyright 2012. Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Across 1 Ed of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” 6 “Mystery solved!”

9 Spear 13 Picked 14 Artist’s studio site 16 “Arsenic and Old __” 17 Mischievous girl in classic comics 19 Fairy tale menace 20 Display for the first time, as a product 21 Rajah’s spouse 23 Until this time 24 Grilled fish in Japanese unadon 26 “Exodus” actor Sal 28 Florida NBA team, on scoreboards 31 Jack LaLanne, for one 35 Tries to make it alone 37 Funereal stacks 38 Unaccompanied 39 Baggage handler, e.g.

42 Actress Amanda 43 Put the kibosh on 45 Idle 47 1984 South African Peace Nobelist 50 Williams with a .344 life-

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time batting average 51 High-altitude nest 52 Lavish bash 54 Slap-on-the-forehead cry 56 The “height” part of a height phobia 58 Dress to the nines 62 __ hygiene 64 “Star Trek” role for George Takei 66 Late-night Jay 67 Genesis garden site 68 Scrabble pieces 69 Bustle 70 Big name in ice cream 71 Monica of tennis Down 1 Rights protection gp.

2 Knee-to-ankle bone 3 Misbehaving child’s punishment 4 Makeup maven Lauder 5 Raised sculptures 6 Musketeer motto word 7 Time of day 8 On fire 9 __-mo replay 10 Cry that starts a kid’s game 11 Ranch division 12 Borscht ingredient

The annual act of rearranging your refridgerator in order to accommodate all of your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Source: Urban Dictionary

15 North African capital for which its country is named 18 Mama Cass’s surname 22 Clouseau’s title: Abbr.

25 D-Day city 27 Nile Valley country 28 Eyed lewdly 29 TV sports pioneer Arledge 30 Pitches in 32 Cry that conflicts with 10-Down 33 Christopher of “Superman” 34 “¿Cómo está __?”

36 Boss’s “We need to talk” 40 Sufficient, in slang 41 Too violent for a PG-13 44 Nickelodeon explorer 46 Figures made with scissors 48 Ornamental wall recess 49 Put down 53 Cow on a carton 54 Birdbrain 55 After-school cookie 57 Gave the green light 59 Quiet spell 60 Beekeeper played by Peter Fonda 61 Kisser 63 Lav of London 65 “__ questions?”

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 7

CROWN: ’Dogs achieve glory TOP: ’Dogs find fruition at end of season CONTINUED from page 8

Roe Borunda / The Collegian

Quarterback Derek Carr vows to return to Fresno State next season during the post-game press conference following the ’Dogs’ 48-15 victory over Air Force on Saturday. Carr completed 28 of 32 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns in the clinching win that brought the Bulldogs their first conference championship in 13 years.

CONTINUED from page 8 from the previous year.

Travis Brown, a four-year starter, led the team with 12 tackles.

H e a d i n g i n t o h a l f t i m e, Fresno State held a commanding 31-7 lead over the Falcons that was capped by a one-yard pass from Car r to Marcel Jensen in the waning minutes of the first half.

And while the Bulldogs were waiting in anticipation of hoisting the conference crown during the second half of a blowout win against their head coach’s alma mater, San Diego

“I

know we have guys who can step up who are behind Derek right now...”

— Davante Adams, Redshirt freshman receiver

State was in the process of trying to fend off a Wyoming team trying to play spoiler to the Aztecs’ conference championship hopes.

San Diego State (9-3, 7-1) managed to survive against Wyoming, 42-28. The win split the conference title between the Aztecs and the Bulldogs.

Boise State (9-2, 6-1) will try to make it a three-way tie for first place on Saturday when it plays Nevada on the road.

After the g ame, Car r announced his plans to remain at Fresno State for a final year rather than opting to leave early for the NFL Draft.

“I know we have guys who can step up who are behind Derek right now, but just knowing the type of season we’ve had that we can have another one,” said Adams, the Mountain West leader in receiving yards.

Fresno State has yet to find out which Mountain Westaffiliated bowl game it will be invited to participate in this postseason.

the rest of their games.

T h e g a m e a g a i n s t N ew Mexico on the road was probably the biggest reflection of character as Fresno State went down 21 points in the first quarter. But the ’Dogs were able to rally and beat the Lobos as they overcame a first-half deficit.

“To be honest with you, i t m i g h t h ave b e e n wh e n we were down 21 to nothing against New Mexico. Nobody on our squad pointed fingers,” DeRuyter said. “We had a look of resolve that we were going to get things done. And to do that on the road and win convincingly after being down big, I think gave our guys tremendous confidence.”

In a season when both the offense and defense were completely transformed, the veteran leadership of senior running back Robbie Rouse shone brightly.

“I’m just a competitor and I try to compete at all levels and be the best at what I do,” Rouse said. “We’re all that we got out

here. We got great support from the fans since I got here and I’m just going to miss walking down that ramp.”

His performance in almost every game embodied the spirit and heart of Fresno State.

Rouse’s character and playing ability especially in the matchup against Nevada on the road, help lead the Bulldogs to a conference championship “Just knowing the type of guy Robbie is, he’s an amazing back. But more than what he does on the field, he’s just an incredible vocal leader making sure that we’re mentally ready during practice and in the games,” receiver Davante Adams said. “When you have a

“W

e have been striving for this for a long time now, and I can’t explain how big it means.”

— Travis Brown, Senior linebacker

guy like that, he’s so versatile on the field as well as off the field.”

On Senior Appreciation Day, the ’Dogs won another home g ame in convincing fashion and assured themselves a share of the Mountain West Conference championship. Fresno State completed its season the way DeRuyter had intended to do so when he took office as head coach of the Bulldogs.

“I’m very proud of 22 exceptional seniors and a staff that came together a year ago, who hadn’t work together as a unit,” DeRuyter said. “I’m just really happy for our guys and our staff and all the hard work that they put in. And to see it come to fruition and get a championship, it’s a nice feeling.”

Linebacker Travis Brown said, “We have been striving for this for a long time now, and I can’t explain how big it means. It means a lot just for this team and the community.

They’ve been wanting it and we’ve been wanting it. So it’s a big deal.”

Roe Borunda / The Collegian

Fresno State’s defense (L to R, #16 Phillip Thomas, #39 Shawn Plummer and #96 Toddy Hunt) line up to stop the Falcons offense in Saturday’s 48-15 conference crowing win. The ’Dogs say goodbye to 22 seniors at the end of the season.

Derek Carr: ‘I’m coming back next year’

By Ricardo Cano The Collegian After participating in a bowl game this postseason, Fresno State will be tasked with having to find replacements for key players from the graduating class of 22 seniors that were honored before Saturday’s 48-15 win against Air Force.

But they won’t have to worry about replacing junior quarterback Derek Carr.

Carr put to rest recent speculations that he would forego his last year of NCAA eligibility to enter the NFL Draft a year early.

“I am coming back next year,” said Carr, wearing a commemorative championship hat and hoisting the conference trophy on his lap.

“I kind of knew,” he said.

“We were just playing with you guys for awhile. I am coming back, so you can kill all of that.”

Carr, who is set to graduate this December, helped the Bulldogs capture a share of the Mountain West Conference crown their first year in the conference.

Carr completed 28 of 32 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns against Air Force.

This season, Carr has thrown for 3,742 yards, 36 touchdowns and five interceptions.

“Hard work pays off. I’m a firm believer in that,” Carr said. “You know personally how hard you’ve worked, and when it comes to fruition like this – and you get to hold this trophy and wear this hat – you know you did something right.”

Before Carr made his official announcement to stay at Fresno State for a final year, coach Tim DeRuyter said he was “expecting him to come back.”

“I think he’s just scratched

“I

’m going to enjoy this, but we’ve still got one more (game) to go.”

— Derek Carr, Junior quarterback

t h e s u r f a c e r i g h t n o w, ” DeRuyter said.

“I think that as good of a quarterback as he is, he could be the greatest in Fresno State history. And he’s got one more year to do that.

“We haven’t had a Heisman T r o p hy w i n n e r h e r e. We haven’t gone to a BCS bowl.

Those things are out there for a great leader like him. I think that’s a challenge that he’s looking forward to.”

Fresno State (9-3, 7-1) will compete in a bowl game this postseason and attempt to reach 10 wins for the season – a benchmark last achieved during the 2001 season when the Bulldogs finished 11-3 with older brother David behind center.

David was selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL Draft.

“I’m going to enjoy this, but we’ve still got one more (game) to go, Carr said. “We haven’t won double-digit games here in awhile. We still have to get that 10th win.

“This whole season, I knew I wanted to win a conference championship because I wanted to finish what he (David) started. And that’s the whole reason I came here.”

Fresno State has not received confirmation as to which Mountain West bowl game it will participate in this postseason.

Roe Borunda / The Collegian

Quarterback Derek Carr weaves his way across the field en route to throwing one of his four touchdowns Saturday against the Air Force Academy.

The

Collegian

SPORTS PAGE 8

WEDNESDAY...

Both the men’s and women’s baketball team go on the road this week. Men play Southern Illinois. Women play Pacific.

SPORTS EDITOR, LUKE SHAFFER • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

’Dogs clinch MW crown in season finale

By Ricardo Cano The Collegian When all was said and done, first-year coach Tim DeRuyter made well on that promise he made in his debut press conference in December when he declared his plan to “build a championship football team.”

After an offseason of scheme switching on offense and defense – and one year removed from going 4-9 and being bowl ineligible – the Fresno State Bulldogs were able to achieve a goal that has eluded them for the past 13 years.

Fresno State clinched a share of the Mountain West Conference championship in a 48-15 rout against Air Force Saturday at Bulldog Stadium – its first conference title since capturing a piece of the Western Athletic Conference crown in 1999.

“I’m really happy for our guys and our staff,” DeRuyter said. “All the hard work that they’ve put in, to see it come to fruition and to get a championship is a nice feeling.

“We needed a football program that competes for championships. F rom Day One that’s been our focus. As I’ve been out in the community, people have been starving for it. It’s been too long.”

Roe Borunda / The Collegian

In safety Phillip Thomas (left) and running back Robbie Rouse’s (center) season finale, Fresno State defeated Air Force 48-15 Saturday. For the first time in 13 years, the Bulldogs are able to hoist the Mountain West Conference championship trophy and share glory with the city of Fresno.

Derek Carr completed 28 of 32 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns and Robbie Rouse rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries in a game that helped Fresno State finish undefeated at home for the first time since 2000.

Rouse also scored his first career passing touchdown at home, where the Bulldogs have

averaged almost 49 points per game this season.

“The season’s not over,” said Carr, whose team is eligible for a bowl game. “But I’m definitely going to enjoy my (championship) ring.”

The Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in their first four plays to start the game. Carr completed a 64-yard touch-

down pass to Davante Adams on the team’s second play from scrimmage. It was preceded by a 28-yard reverse pass from Carr to Greg Watson to Carr to Isaiah Burse.

Fresno State would reach the end zone one minute, 46 seconds later on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Burse.

Burse hauled in a gamehigh 158 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches.

Air Force, which had not attempted a single pass during last week’s 21-7 win against Hawaii, was not able to match the Bulldogs’ up-tempo spread of fense with its signature option attack.

Air Force running back Cody Getz ran for a team-high 82 yards on 19 carries.

Safety Phillip Thomas, a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award that honors the nation’s top defensive back, was among the 22 seniors that played to play their final game at Bulldog Stadium.

“I’m going to miss the fan support,” Thomas said, after playing before a season-high home crowd of 36,240. “I’m going to miss the relationships I’ve built around the Fresno community and my teammates. I’m going to always come back and show support for my Bulldogs.

“Whether I win the Thorpe or not, you can’t take this trophy away from me.”

The Bulldogs defense – after forcing only nine turnovers in the 2011 season– created three turnovers to increase Fresno State’s takeaway count to 33, more than triple its production See CROWN, Page 7

Fresno State finds the top of the Mountain West 2012 SEASON REVIEW

By Luke Shaffer The Collegian Coming to a triumphant ending, the Bulldogs finished their miraculous season with a piece of the Mountain West Conference championship.

Defeating Air Force Academy handily 48-15, Fresno Sate won its first conference championship since 1999 Saturday in front of an a n n o u n c e d at t e n d a n c e o f 36,240.

“I’m very proud of what they have accomplished in the entire season, but especially today in a good Air Force team. I’m just happy to win a Mountain West Conference championship for these seniors,” head coach Tim DeRuyter said.

Powered by another offensive performance, the Bulldogs outgained the Falcons in every aspect of the game and placed an exclamation point on their 2012 season.

Fresno State continued its

Hired last spring to replace former head coach Pat Hill, Tim DeRuyter led the Bulldogs to a turnaround year as Fresno State ends the season with a 9-3 record and grabs a share of the Mountain West Conference championship with its 48-15 win over Air Force Academy Saturday.

success at home as it held a 21-point lead over Air Force at the end of the first quarter.

This dominant play in Bulldog Stadium was just one of many reasons why the ’Dogs have had such an incredible season not only at home, but on the road as well.

Defense also played a huge part in Fresno State’s success during the season. With the defense collecting 33 turnovers on the season, including three in the win against Air Force, the ’Dogs more than tripled their takeaway production from last season.

However, this remarkable story has to be told from the beginning of the season.

The success the ’Dogs found could not have happened without the aid of former coach Pat Hill, who built the Fresno State football program to what it currently is.

“This is also for coach Hill; let’s not forget that. He brought us here. He put these guys together,” quarterback Derek Carr said.

In the many years that Hill coached, his mantra of “anybody, anywhere, anytime,” has resonated with the veteran players on the team.

DeRuyter was able to walk into Fresno State athletics last spring and change the Bulldogs’ entire team. The offense, defense and coaching staff have bought into DeRuyter’s system, which has culminated into an amazing season.

Photos by Roe Borunda / The Collegian

On Senior Appreciation Day, running back Robbie Rouse ends his collegiate career by diving for the end zone. Rouse leaves Fresno State as the all-time rushing leader with 4,625 yards on 885 carries and 37 touchdowns.

“I think (Fresno State athletic director) Thomas (Boeh) made that clear when he was going through the interview process – that we need a football program that competes for championships. And from Day One that’s been our focus,” DeRuyter said. “I felt that we had a group, if we could get them to buy in, that had enough talent, we could compete for a conference championship.”

At different times during the season, the Bulldogs were presented with rocky ground.

Their first lost of the season, coming on the road to Oregon,

was frustrating. This matchup highlighted a tail of two halves.

And the ’Dogs could have come away with a win if they had played four full quarters.

Yet, Fresno State stayed its course and was resilient in winning against Colorado and San Diego State at home. Both were momentum builders for the ’Dogs. Fresno State could have fallen apart after its disappointing loss to Boise State in Broncos Stadium.

However, the Bulldogs summoned strength and persevered on their way to winning See TOP, Page 7