White-knuckle affair for Bulldogs

Published online on Thursday, Sep. 17, 2009

Ask about the importance of any particular game on their schedule and the politically correct among Fresno State players and coaches will respond with, "Every game is important."

Yeah ... OK, fellas.

Even for today's 6 p.m. kickoff against Western Athletic Conference rival Boise State and its coach Chris Petersen -- who has seemingly mastered the cuisine of bland quotes atop a spicy offense -- the "PC" dish is being served.

But there are hints that this game, the Bulldogs' first WAC contest of the season and against the nation's 10th-ranked team, means more than most.

Junior center Joe Bernardi, who is normally accommodating to the media, shied from an interview.

And then there's junior running back Ryan Mathews.

Mathews didn't play against Boise State last season because of injury. To him, the opportunity to host the six-time WAC champions who have beaten the Bulldogs in seven of their past eight meetings is a big deal.

And he actually says as much.

Thank you. Seriously.

"This game's probably the biggest one emotionally," Mathews said. "Since I've been here we haven't beat them and they're a very good team."

The last time the Bulldogs beat the Broncos was 2005, when Mathews was trucking linebackers down in Bakersfield en route to a CIF Central Section championship at West High.

Getting a win in this nationally televised ESPN game will be a little more difficult for Mathews and the Bulldogs. OK, a lot more.

While the Broncos offense gets the most attention -- because chicks and highlight reels love the long ball and dazzling swinging-gate runs -- the defense has been superb.

The Broncos have led the WAC in scoring defense and total defense for three consecutive years. Last year they allowed 12.6 points per game (third in the nation) and 308 yards per game. They were second in the nation in pass efficiency defense while intercepting 22 passes. They allowed only two teams to score more than 20 points.

Enough proof?

The Broncos return six defenders on defense, including first-team All-WAC defensive end Ryan Winterswyk to a line that Fresno State coach Pat Hill said could be the best his team faces all season.

The Broncos also return four of five starting defensive backs to a team that has stymied opponents again this season. Through two games -- versus Oregon and Miami (Ohio) -- the Broncos have allowed 69 yards rushing and 277 yards passing with five interceptions.

Said Hill: "A lot of people called me before the Oregon game and I made it very clear to people, 'Don't be talking about offense, their defense is gonna be the one that controls the game.' And sure enough, they did. ...

"They're not going to give up many big plays and they're very good against the run. ... Usually if you watch their games they put people in a lot of third-and-long situations and it really takes you out of your game. Third-and-longs are not easy calls."

Petersen said he thinks his defense has been underappreciated by others, but not by his team.

"Everyone knows if we're going to do good things, we have to play really good defense," he said.

He added that he still believes the Bulldogs can test his defense tonight. The Bulldogs have healthy weapons this season and a variety of formations from which to attack. They've scored 82 points in two games.

But Petersen said something similar about the Bulldogs' power running game prior to last year's meeting. The test turned out to be an easily-aced, four-quarter quiz, 61-10 in the Broncos' favor.

"We didn't have many weapons last year and they shut down the run pretty easily," Hill said. "We weren't able to execute the passing game against them. We couldn't get into too many formations. ... The first half was competitive, but they were definitely the better team last year."

Now the Bulldogs have a chance to see how much ground they've gained.

"You get your opportunities," Hill said. "You get one shot and this is our shot, Friday night."

Admitted or not, it's an important one.