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FRESNO, CALIF. -- After a very impressive 63-19 victory over the Wyoming Cowboys, the Utah State Aggies go on the road for their first conference game when they take on the Fresno State Bulldogs. As impressive as the Aggies win was, the Bulldogs loss to the Boise State Broncos was just as disappointing, falling 57-7. Head coach Gary Andersen hopes to keep Fresno State on the ropes and keep true-freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton rolling after his career-best five-touchdown passes this past weekend.
Against the Broncos, Fresno State managed just nine first downs but gathered 270 yards of total offense. Although Fresno State went just 2-14 on third down conversions, what hurt the Bulldogs the most were the four turnovers they gave to the Broncos. The only points Fresno State managed to put on the board came from a 79-yard punt return from senior wide receiver Devon Wylie.
While one could say the Aggies and the Bulldogs are equal teams based on their records, but looking at how each team has lost a different story is told. The nearest margin of defeat for Fresno State has been ten points.
It's not all bleak for the Bulldogs though, the future seems to be bright at the quarterback position. Sophomore quarterback Derek Carr (younger brother of former number one overall pick David Carr) has been solid so far this season throwing for 1,417 yards (60.5% completions) and 10 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Carr's two favorite targets are also underclassmen: sophomore wide receiver Jalen Saunders leads the team in receiving yards on 17 receptions for 462 with four TDs and freshman wide receiver Josh Harder follows in a close second with 21 catches for 259 yards and three TDs. The sophomore has also rushed for two scores on the season.
When the Bulldogs look to run they clearly turn to junior running back Robbie Rouse who has carried the ball 143 times for 672 and four touchdowns. The Bulldogs currently rank 74th in the nation rushing the ball with an average of 131.8 yards per game and 53rd overall with 236.2 yards passing per game. Those two rankings would be impressive if not for their ranking of 113th (out of 120 FBS schools) with 36.5 points allowed per game.
The Aggies have been very successful this season against young quarterbacks by applying pressure and forcing bad decisions. Senior linebackers Bobby Wagner and Kyle Gallagher should be able to drive the Aggie defense into a frenzy and wreak havoc for the Bulldogs. This should also be a big game for the Utah State running backs: juniors Robert Turbin and Kerwynn Williams and senior Michael Smith, who combined rushed for 217 yards against the Cowboys.
The Bulldogs are ranked 84th nationally for run defense giving up over 171 yards per game and almost 400 total yards per game.
The most telling stat might be the amount of points the Bulldogs give up. Ranked just seven spots from dead last, 113th in the country, Fresno State gives up 36.5 points per game. The Bulldogs have surrendered 30 touchdowns in just six games.
They also struggle to create turnovers- netting just five in six games- and getting to the quarterback, just eight sacks in six games.
These numbers bold well for the 16th best offense in college football (6th best running game nationally) and for a team average 42.6 points per game (11th nationally).
Many would say the Bulldogs are in a rebuilding year, looking to improve their future by playing their underclassmen now and they have impressed, but it won't take long for people to see that Utah State is the better of the two teams this Saturday.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
