NCAA Football FanHouse

Badgers Overcome Flu, Fresno State

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Wisconsin, Big 10, WAC

Bret Bielema will tell you that Fresno State is tough enough. No additional challenges are necessary when the Bulldogs pop up on the schedule, because they'll give you all that you can handle.

The Wisconsin coach couldn't just steer his team past Fresno on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. He also had to deal with virtually-unprecedented circumstances during the week. It showed at times on the field, as Wisconsin twice fell behind by 14 points, but they were able to rally for a 34-31, double-overtime win.

Bielema wasn't shy after the win, talking boisterously about how much his team was able to overcome to pick up the win. He told Learfield Sports that 45 players missed practice during the week due to flu-like symptoms, as the virus rapidly flew through his team. He also relayed that sophomore defensive lineman J.J. Watt fell ill on the team bus ride to the stadium.

The fourth-year coach lauded the work of quarterback Scott Tolzien, who fought off the virus and threw for 225 yards while avoiding any turnovers.

It wasn't an easy day at all. Fresno State jumped to a 14-0 lead with two Ryan Colborn touchdown passes. One of those, a 70-yard bomb to Devon Wylie, came one play after a missed Wisconsin field goal. The Bulldogs responded to a Wisconsin touchdown with a long drive of their own, taking a 21-7 lead. Wisconsin was far from done, however. They cut the lead to 21-17 by halftime, thanks in part to a 57-yard field goal by Philip Welch.

It stayed 21-17 until the last few minutes of regulation. After Fresno State missed a crucial field goal, the Badgers took the lead. Running back John Clay rumbled virtually untouched through the Fresno defense for a 72-yard run. It gave Wisconsin their first lead of the game.

Fresno State forced overtime with a field goal in the final seconds, but Wisconsin won it in the second overtime. Chris Maragos intercepted Colborn on the first play of the second overtime, and Welch hit a short field goal for the win.

"I can't say enough about their tremendous effort, from individuals, coaches, the fans," Bielema said. He went on to talk about the willingness of his players to get the work in during the week, despite the run of illness that swept through.

"You know we don't usually practice on Fridays," Bielema said, "and I told the guys Thursday night because of the work we didn't get Tuesday we need to go out and practice and they didn't bat an eye. I told them today, they won today because they out-worked people. We weren't clean, there's enough things out there that we got to get corrected and I don't want to see repeated mistakes. And believe me, we did some things out there, we beat ourselves before the snap three or four times and we can't have that happen and win consistently."

The Badgers move to 2-0, and will host FCS member Wofford Saturday in Madison. Fresno State falls to 1-1, and prepares for a home game Friday night against WAC favorite Boise State.

Badgers Overcome Flu, Fresno State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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San Jose State Is Tired of Cheap Pac-10 Dates

Chas Rich — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: Arizona State, Fresno State, Pac 10, WAC, General CFB Insanity

The Pac-10 has now been stood-up twice by San Jose State for dates in 2010. The Spartans are one of those programs that are willing to go out with one of those studly BCS programs and not expect a second date at home.

Just because San Jose is willing to go anywhere for a one-nighter, though, does not mean they are cheap. The Spartans have realized that their popularity with the big programs means it should be a first-class evening, one that makes it worth their while.

San Jose skipped out on its picnic with Stanford when Alabama came in with nearly $1 million for the night. Now the Spartans have decided to break off plans with Arizona State.

The Sun Devils' mere $450,000 for a one-nighter was no match for Wisconsin's full wine-and-dine of around $900,000. Even with the $250,000 buyout, San Jose State comes out ahead. Arizona State, however, is now looking for someone else to come to their place.

San Jose State Is Tired of Cheap Pac-10 Dates originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fresno State Gets Mysterious Donation

Chas Rich — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:07:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, WAC, Campus

Fresno State has just received the largest pledged donation in its history, $10 million dollars for the athletic department. Exactly how this pledge will be honored still seems shrouded in mystery.

The money is coming through a former Fresno State football player, Alphonso Bigelow, who played linebacker in the mid-90s. He got his MBA at Fresno State, and still lives in the city. He is also the CEO of a company called Nykel Bam International, LLC. That's where the mystery comes in, because what the company does seems purposefully vague.

Roughly, Bigelow says the company is involved in brokering private commodities transactions. Emphasis, apparently on the private since the company does not maintain any public Internet presence. According to Bigelow, while he decided on where to give the money, the company's board of directors decided the amount.

He says the board of directors came to him this year and said they needed to give away $10 million for tax purposes. He could choose to whom. Bigelow says that he and all the board members have a goal to someday give away 80 percent of Nykel Bam's earnings.

So in the largest recession in decades, there is a privately held company that no one really knows about that had to give away $10 million dollars for tax reasons?

Frankly the story being told sounds like something from a comic book or a cheap conspiracy flick.

So here's the story: A few years ago, Bigelow owned local group homes. He had a master's degree in business from Fresno State, so he was trying to do some brokering on the side. He flew to Hong Kong to try to complete a gold transaction, but couldn't get it done.

While at a cocktail party in Hong Kong, he started talking to an elderly man from London, who took a liking to him and started mentoring him on the ways of international brokering.

Bigelow did not tell this story at the news conference Tuesday, partly because he wants to keep his business and the details of how he makes money as private as possible. ("I don't need more competition," he says.) And, frankly, it would have been too much to explain. Maybe too much to believe.

The unnamed man from London got him started, introduced him to the people who are now the board of directors for Nykel Bam LLC.

Let's see. A mysterious, elderly Englishman takes the young, handsome, charismatic ex-jock under his wing to learn the mystic ways of private international brokering. Then set him up and introduced him to other individuals that ultimately became the unknown, unnamed board of directors for the new, private company with the young man as the public face. All the while, the company is virtually invisible with no internet presence or public awareness until this sudden gift.

What are they? A front for AIM? Hydra? An ancient order of commodites trading vampires? H.I.V.E.? SPECTRE? I think Dan Brown has the shadow organization for his next book.

Fresno State Gets Mysterious Donation originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ghosts of Recruiting Past: Former Masters Miami and Florida State

Brian Grummell — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, University of Miami, ACC, Recruiting

FanHouse's lead-up to college football's signing day makes like Charles Dickens and looks at the Ghosts of Recruiting -- past, present and future. In the Ghosts of Recruiting Past we note 10 recruiting powers who have hit a dry spell

In this episode, we look at two of the dominant brands of college football in the last 30 years -- Miami and Florida State. Please don't accuse us of saying these monsters are untalented, but there's been a drop for both. Steady and quiet at first, but more severe of late. These are two programs fans love to hate but I call this a touch depressing. Let's shake this all out after the jump.

Of the two, Florida State's been slumping on the field longer, and more painfully. Its team is no longer within any distance of the top four poll finishes that defined the Seminoles for well over a decade. Boosters staged a mutiny several years ago, offing legendary coach Bobby Bowden's son as Exhibit A in bad nepotistic hires, offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden. Papa Bowden is now relegated to figurehead status, having named a successor and a legally binding avenue of departure, likely with him falling behind Joe Paterno in the all-time wins race. Insult, meet injury.

Things were going great until about 1999. At that point, capable assistants Chuck Amato and Mark Richt headed off to direct North Carolina State and Georgia, respectively. Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke -- faster to bald than his elderly coach -- begat an ugly cocktail of quarterback disasters from Chris Rix to Adrian McPherson, lyme disease-stricken Wyatt Sexton to distant relative of William Wallace, Drew Weatherford. They've all flopped. Oh, to have another Thad Busby around, oddly.

In the Phil Steele consensus recruiting rankings of top 25 recruiting classes, Florida State does the following:

It finishes 16th in 1999, then third, first and first the next three years. And then its back to 19th, then eighth, third, ninth and then 25th last year. Care to ride that roller-coaster? Given Florida State's prestige and the relatively solid talent available to them, 25th is not a good place to be.

The Seminoles were able to maintain excellent recruiting for many years past their prime, but the quarterback misses, the change from a once-innovative offense, all the drama around Bobby Bowden, all have taken the Seminoles down a few notches. It doesn't help that among the three major Florida programs, their recruiting base -- the panhandle -- just isn't quite up to par with what you can find down in Miami and the state's swampy south, or in central to northern Florida where the national champion Florida Gators do much of their business.

Florida State's national appeal allows the program to continue to pluck guys from Texas, California, Tennessee, Georgia and so on, but there's a definite Florida-first vibe to the program and the core of players in it and when the team isn't winning like it used to, I can see there being a certain tension there.

The star of this year's recruiting class is Greenville Florida native Jacobbi McDaniel, a swift and agile defensive tackle with a Rivals.com five-star rating. They'll need a few more guys like that for a few more years to get things going again. The problem is, when Bowden goes, capable and legendary defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews who is also getting up there in years, won't be far behind. A new era for Florida State football is not far on the horizon.

Much farther to the south, the [it's great, to be, a] Miami Hurricanes are dealing with their own demons. Like Florida State, Florida, USC and Texas a recruiting dropoff here will always be a relative thing when these schools can do nothing in recruiting and still end up with a handful of future NFL players.

Miami's recruiting pace has held up nicely until the last two years. Here's how it went down in the Phil Steele consensus:

1999-2006: Ninth, ninth, sixth, sixth, sixth, third, eighth

2007-2008: 15th, 16th

Its Randy Shannon's world, and Miami fans are living in it. Shannon proved to be a great defensive coordinator, but I have doubts about him as a head coach. He's committed to a rigid pro-style offense, which basically forced the departure -- kicking and screaming -- of more open-minded offensive coordinator Patrick Nix.

Shannon has done a noble thing in demanding accountability and that there be decent individuals on his team. Let's be real here though, for various reasons from the inevitable coddling to hard-to-suppress growing ego and sense of self, great players in any sport are rarely angels and aren't necessarily looking to go places that demand they be.

Miami's missing out. Shannon's stand is noble, but perhaps a better balance can be struck between the camo-wearing devil-may-do Miami teams of years past and the Sunday school group Shannon covets.

Bringing in seemingly the entire Miami Northwestern High School team -- national champs! -- last year was a good start, but Miami can't sleep on that. The program continues to produce a ton of defensive players, but just three offensive linemen have been taken in the NFL draft since 2005. Graig Cooper and Javarris James are solid backs, but they're no Edgerrin James or Willis McGahee or Clinton Portis.

Enter Kansas tailback Bryce Brown, Rivals.com's No. 1 recruit this year. His commitment is slightly in doubt at the moment, but look for Miami to hang on. But will he be enough? We'll see. Where former coach Larry Coker seemed to get away from sealing down south Florida in recruiting and invested resources pecking away in places like Canada and Texas, Shannon does seem to have returned to focusing on Miami's traditional recruiting base. The problem is that they left an opening and other teams exploited it the last couple years. That can't be reversed overnight.

Be sure to check out the entire Ghosts of Recruiting series leading up to college football's national letter of intent day

Previously in Ghosts of Recruiting

Ghosts of Recruiting Past: Pac-10 Also-Rans Washington and UCLA
Ghosts of Recruiting Past: Big 12 Slumpers Colorado and Texas A&M

Ghosts of Recruiting Past: Former Masters Miami and Florida State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowl Season '08: Gartrell Johnson Carries Colorado State to New Mexico Bowl Win

Chris Burke — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Colorado State, Fresno State, Bowl Games

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

One of the beautiful things about bowl season is that some very talented, but unknown college football stars get their moment in the spotlight. With that in mind .. America, meet Gartrell Johnson. The stocky senior running back put on an absolute show, leading Colorado State to a 40-35 come-from-behind win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl. The win was the Rams' first bowl win in seven years.

Johnson ran for a career-high 285 yards plus caught six passes for 89 -- giving him a whopping 374 total yards. Prior to Saturday, Johnson averaged 99 rushing yards per game in 2008.

Colorado State trailed 28-20 heading to the fourth quarter, but Tommie Hill intercepted Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater, swinging momentum in the Rams' favor. Johnson punched in from one yard out soon after to cut the Bulldogs' lead down to 28-26.

CSU finally jumped into the lead -- for the first time all day -- with 7:10 left in the fourth quarter. Rams' QB Billy Farris launched a bomb to Rashaun Greer, who made a nice catch, fought out of a tackle and took it in for a 69-yard score.

Johnson then put the game on ice, taking a handoff to the left side of Colorado State's line and busting free on a 77-yard TD scamper. Fresno scored late, but failed to recover a last-gasp onside kick.

Johnson's efforts overshadowed a strong rushing day for the Bulldogs. Anthony Harding and Lonyae Miler combined for 232 yards and four touchdowns on the ground for Fresno. It's not too often that you see a team popo in four rushing TDs and still come out on the losing end.

Fresno's inability to get a stop late made Harding and Miller inconsequential, though. Just as in early losses this year to Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech, Nevada and Boise State, the Bulldogs defensive line got gashed all afternoon. Johnson rumbled for 57 yards on his second carry and never looked back.

Latest College Football Photos

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Willie Tuitama #7 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates as he scores a touchdown late in the team's 31-21 victory over the Brigham Young University Cougars during the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willie Tuitama

Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Harvey Unga #45 of the Brigham Young University Cougars tries to get away from Nate Ness #32 of the Arizona Wildcats during the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Harvey Unga;Nate Ness

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LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Stoops of the Arizona Wildcats is presented with a trophy after defeating the Brigham Young University Cougars 31-21 in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Stoops

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LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Ronnie Palmer #33 and Devin Ross #6 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after the team's 31-21 victory over the Brigham Young University Cougars in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronnie Palmer;Devin Ross

Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Stoops of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates after defeating the Brigham Young University Cougars 31-21 in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Stoops

Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Ronnie Palmer #33 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates after the team's 31-21 victory over the Brigham Young University Cougars in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronnie Palmer

Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Stoops and Ronnie Palmer #33 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after defeating the Brigham Young University Cougars 31-21 in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Stoops;Ronnie Palmer

Getty Images

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops raises his arms in celebration after the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Arizona beat Brigham Young 31-21. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)

Arizona's Marquis Hundley (23) intercepts a pass intended for Brigham Young's Austin Collie (9) during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl college football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Arizona went on to win 31-21. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)

Brigham Young's Dennis Pitta, left, is tackled by Arizona's Nate Ness (32) and Ricky Elmore (44) during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl college football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Arizona went on to win 31-21. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)

Not to imply that Fresno State didn't care one way or the other, but this looked like one of those cases where motivation proves to be the driving factor behind a lesser-bowl's outcome. While Fresno sort of put it in cruise control after taking that 28-20 lead, the Rams put their foot on the gas in the second half -- clearly, a win in the New Mexico Bowl was a big stepping stone for a recently struggling program. CSU finishes the year 7-6

That record matches Fresno's final mark -- but the Rams will be much, much happier to be in the "Just above .500" crowd than the Bulldogs will.

Remember that Fresno looked like a potential BCS buster before the season started. A 17-point win at Rutgers to kick things off simply added to that hype. But the Bulldogs dropped a tough one two weeks later to Wisconsin, lost a stunner to Hawaii on Oct. 4 and limped to a 2-3 mark down the stretch.

The Bulldogs clearly had bigger hopes for this season. As impressive as Pat Hill's coaching run at Fresno State has been (nine bowl games in 10 years), the 'Dogs have yet to get over the top and break into the BCS world.

Bowl Season '08: Gartrell Johnson Carries Colorado State to New Mexico Bowl Win originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turkey Legs to Go: New Mexico Bowl Travel Guide, Colorado State vs. Fresno State

Will Brinson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:20:00 EST

Filed under: Colorado State, Fresno State, Fans, Bowl Games

Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque, N.M.), which pits Fresno State against Colorado State.

Overview: The New Mexico Bowl is essentially a old school western-style shootout, drawing in teams from the WAC and Mountain West. Many analysts projected Nevada to land the Western Athletic's bid, but Fresno State got an offer and, at 7-5, pounced quickly. The Bulldogs, (the former team of Mittens!) will face off against, but Colorado State, the only 6-6 team in the Mountain West, appears likely as an opponent.

Hotels: Each one of the hotels we've suggested have great proximity to the stadium. Even if they weren't so close, Albuquerque is easy to navigate. Sandia Peak makes for a good directional landmark because you can see it from anywhere in town. The Hyatt Regency Albuquerque is probably the finest hotel in town. The Hilton Albuquerque is more reasonably priced, and is the best all around value for bowl travelers. The Best Western Airport Innsuites Hotel is the perfect option for those on a tight budget. Guestrooms are cheap and the property is close to the airport and the stadium.

Restaurants: A little driving may be necessary to enjoy the best food the city has to offer, but it will be well worth the trip. Albuquerque is worth exploring because of its rich culture and beautiful scenery. Scalo has a reputation for beginning the pioneer of fine dining in Albuquerque.

They offer fine Italian cuisine and excellent desserts. El Pinto has great Mexican food and the sopapillas are out of this world. For a cheap and hearty meal, head to Padilla's Mexican Kitchen. The local favorite offers melt-in-your-mouth enchiladas and delectable carne adovada, but be advised; they don't take credit cards.

Nightlife: Make sure to spend a day wandering through Old Town, the city's main historic district features great shops, restaurants and art galleries featuring the work of local artists. For a night out try Billy's Long Bar. It's popular with the younger crowd, has dart boards, pool tables, and a reputation for having the best-looking waitresses in town.

All travel related information and content provided by Professional Travel Guide.

Turkey Legs to Go: New Mexico Bowl Travel Guide, Colorado State vs. Fresno State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Fresno State Gear Permitted in the Valley

Chas Rich — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:24:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, WAC, General CFB Insanity

Fresno State has worked hard to market itself as the team in the Central Valley. The Bulldogs have that big "V" on the back of their helmets as a way to honor the Central Valley. They've succeeded in their goal. Of course, success isn't always perfect.

Membership in a large and notorious Central Valley gang called the Bulldogs.

Beginning in the 1980s Fresno State's fearsome mascot became a symbol of gang violence.

About two years ago, city officials and the police department began a public crackdown on the gang and even now grade school and high school students here can't wear Fresno State gear to school.

Fresno State, the city of Fresno and plenty of other people are talking about the problem. The mayor has said they have "declared war to get that logo back." When? That doesn't seem clear. Even if they do manage to get it away from being linked to gangs it will still take years to overcome the perception. That means Fresno State gear will remain banned from the public schools in the Central Valley.

No Fresno State Gear Permitted in the Valley originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bret Bielema Is Psychic but Doesn't Want to Be

Brian Cook — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:52:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Wisconsin

Anyone remember this from last January?

"You guys in the offseason are going to give me some questions about scheduling and different things like that," Bielema said. "I guarantee you I'm never going to schedule a game that's officiated by WAC officials, that's for sure."

That was said in the aftermath of Wisconsin's curiously-officiated loss against Tennessee in the Outback bowl, but there's just one issue: it was a Mountain West crew that worked the game. Actually, two issues: Wisconsin had already signed up for a road game against WAC power Fresno State for this year.

Well, Bielema was right to be suspicious, because late in the Fresno State game he got absolutely hosed by a review:

Bielema wasn't wrong, he's just from the future.

Bret Bielema Is Psychic but Doesn't Want to Be originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your Ballsiest Non-Conference Scheduler Is... Fresno State

Adam Jacobi — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:50:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Wisconsin, WAC

For a program in the WAC, life is difficult. Outside of the BCS umbrella, giant paydays are foreign, and nationally televised games are a rarity. Even perfection is only rewarded in the most cursory of manners, yielding a lesser BCS bowl that places the program no closer to the title than if they'd spent the weekend in Shreveport.

And while the title issue remains, well, an issue for as long as the BCS's greasy tentacles ensnare the crystal football, there is a way for lesser I-A programs to get noticed, and that's to take the BCS programs head-on. There are few programs so willing to do so as Fresno State, the plucky Bulldogs from the mythical state of Fresno.

Fresno has a remarkable non-conference resume over the last decade, taking on such programs as Colorado, Ohio State, USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Also, this weekend, they face Wisconsin for the third time in six years. They also scheduled Sacramento State, but let's not concern ourselves with pesky confounders. And as the Sac Bee reports, that legacy is safe for years to come:

Nebraska, Colorado and Mississippi were added to the Bulldogs' schedule beginning in 2010. They also scheduled games against Cincinnati, UC-Davis, Cal Poly and Rutgers.

We'll be ignoring UC-Davis and Cal Poly, as they render my argument ridiculous. Say what you will about Fresno's success against the upper echelon, but they have inserted themselves into the national discussion better than anybody else in the WAC (oh, Hawaii? Boise State? No no; you've already stopped thinking about them this year, haven't you?). And when you're consigned to the ghettos of college football, that's about the best you can do.

Your Ballsiest Non-Conference Scheduler Is... Fresno State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Erin Andrews Is Sorry She Couldn't Make It

Tom Fornelli — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Rutgers, Fans, Video, General CFB Insanity

As Chas told you about earlier, Rutgers started off the post-Ray Rice era with a loss to Fresno State at home on Monday night. Of course, while Chas and many other are wondering if the Scarlet Knights loss has something to do with not having their human bowling ball, I think there's another reason behind the team's lackluster performance.

Like maybe the fact that instead of having an opportunity to ogle Erin Andrews on the sideline all night, they had to deal with Rob Stone. That could take the wind out of anybody's sails, and it's something Erin is very sorry about.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy Rob Stone. I mean sideline reporters are pretty useless over all, but at least Stone makes me laugh consistently. Still, if given the choice between laughing at Stone or staring at Erin Andrews, well, I think you know which one I'd choose.

(Via Awful Announcing)

Erin Andrews Is Sorry She Couldn't Make It originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fresno State Enjoys Its East Coast Visit

Chas Rich — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:17:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Rutgers, Big East, WAC

Fresno State made its first trip to the East Coast to play Rutgers. It wasn't a direct flight. They had to stop in Kansas along the way. For the first half, they played that way (even if they did get to New Jersey on Saturday). Sloppy, ragged and just off.

Luckily for Fresno State, Rutgers felt like being a generous host. The score was still 0-0 at halftime as the Scarlet Knights blew chances. Twice inside the 10-yard line with nothing to show for it, plus two missed field goals.

In the second-half, the Bulldogs got on track. Running back Ryan Mathews began wearing down the Rutgers defense, like Ray Rice had done for Rutgers the last couple years. Mathews piled up 163 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Rutgers was opening up a partially completed expanded stadium, and laid an egg. The questions about the Scarlet Knights without Ray Rice to carry the load loom larger. QB Mike Teel could move the ball well between the 20s, but threw costly interceptions -- including one in the endzone. His touch wasn't quite there, and there was no running back to take the pressure off of him -- Kordell Young may have had 94 yards but it took 26 carries (and 13 yards came on one run) to get there.

Fresno State now has a week off to get ready for a visit from Wisconsin.

Fresno State Enjoys Its East Coast Visit originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Case of the Mondays: Live Football Edition

Adam Jacobi — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fresno State, Rutgers, Tennessee, UCLA

Phil Fulmer has a ring. Kiss it.

It's time once again for Blogfrica's finest weekly feature, A Case of the Mondays. We're a little later this week, as we're here to cover this evening's football. Tennessee visits UCLA, since their last trip out west was, um, so much fun. Also, Fresno meets Rutgers in a tilt that will probably involve a fistfight somewhere (because New Jersey is full of thugs! And so is Fresno! And we love stereotyping!).

Join us at 8 PM eastern tonight as we discuss The Week That Was. Is your team looking good? Worried about the conference schedule? And did you enjoy Pitt's one week of fame before it all crashed down?

Chat window's after the jump.

A Case of the Mondays: Live Football Edition originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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