GameDay Breakdown

Published online on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

FRESNO STATE ON OFFENSE
The Bulldogs thoroughly dominated Hawaii last week, mixing runs with shorter passes. The Bulldogs will likely do the same this week as they face a similarly impotent defense in San Jose State.

Ryan Mathews is back on top as the nation's top rusher, averaging 148 yards per game. Freshman Robbie Rouse has continued to play well. He averages 59 yards per game and 8.7 yards per rush. Ryan Colburn was on target last week, completing 12 of 14 passes for 120 yards, two scores and no interceptions.

FRESNO STATE ON DEFENSE

The Bulldogs looked sharp and improved last week going against an offense that was much less threatening than those they'd faced earlier in the season. They intercepted two passes against Hawaii, tripling their season's total in one night. Before that, the Bulldogs had just one pick, Nico Herron's 94-yard interception return for a score against UC Davis. They also batted down seven balls. Cornerback Desia Dunn won WAC player of the week honors for his 10 tackles, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

EXTRA POINTS

The Bulldogs have not been as exciting this year on kickoff returns. They rank 65th in the nation in the category and top returner A.J. Jefferson (24 yards per return) ranks 64th among individuals a year after he finished fourth. In 2007, he averaged 35.8 yards per return and ranked first in the country. Devon Wylie is 30th in punt returns (10.4 yards per return).

SAN JOSE STATE ON OFFENSE

San Jose State's run offense (118th nationally) has been dreadful, averaging 68 yards per game and 2.6 per rush. That's worse than Hawaii, a team known for its passing. The pass offense, led by quarterback Jordan La Secla, is ranked 73rd with 206 yards per game. He has five interceptions to go with six touchdowns and has completed 62% of his passes this season. The offensive line has more holes than 10-year-old underwear, having allowed 15 sacks. Kevin Jurovich returned after missing last season and leads the team in receiving. He has 36 catches for 463 yards, but no scores. Marquis Avery leads the team with three receiving touchdowns.

SAN JOSE STATE ON DEFENSE

The Spartans have allowed 32 points per game and 251 yards per game on the ground. One of the opponents that did the drilling was a ranked USC team. Safety Tanner Burns has been all over the field for the Spartans. He leads the team in interceptions (two), tackles (47) and forced fumbles (four). He also has recovered a fumble. The Ihenacho brothers (safety Duke and defensive end Carl) are also anchoring the defense. Duke has 37 tackles, and Carl owns 33 with two sacks. Carl also has three recovered fumbles.

EXTRA POINTS

Brandon Rutley is the team's main kick returner, taking 11 kicks for 216 yards. Tyler Cope is 3 of 4 on field goals, missing a 40-yarder against Cal Poly. His long is 41 against USC. The Spartans' opponents have missed 5 of 10 field goals. Utah missed three against the Spartans: from 50, 53 and 36 yards. Stanford and Cal Poly also missed one attempt each.

KEY MATCHUPS

San Jose State defensive end Carl Ihenacho vs. Fresno State tackle Bryce Harris

Ihenacho has two sacks on the year and is one of the disrupting forces on the San Jose State defensive line. The senior is very experienced, having started 23 games coming into the season. He was nationally ranked in 2008 in tackles for loss (eighth). Though the Bulldogs have allowed only five sacks all year, Harris has started just five games in his career.

Edge: Ihenacho

Spartans safety Tanner Burns vs. Bulldogs running back Ryan Mathews

When a safety is your leading tackler, it means a lot of running plays are getting into the secondary. Burns has a team-high 47 tackles, so that means he'll be the one who gets to try to tackle Mathews. During the course of the night, there's little doubt about Burns being served a steady diet of Mathews' stiff-arms. Have you seen those things? Ridiculous. It might be a long night for this Spartan.

Edge: Mathews