'Dogs defense sees signs of improvement

Fresno State held Aggies to 2 of 13 on third-down conversion attempts.

Published online on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Fresno State safety Lorne Bell just stood there, his eyes widening as the ball came right at him.

Then bang: Bell made the interception, sprinted 17 yards and scored Fresno State's first touchdown en route to a 34-3 victory against New Mexico State on Saturday.

"It was great," Bell said. "I pretty much didn't have to do anything."

It wasn't against Cincinnati's high-powered spread attack or Boise State's confusing motion offense.

But Fresno State's defense will take it - another solid performance to show the unit is getting better and a game that proved the defense can lead the Bulldogs to victory.

"In terms of playing with consistency for four quarters, that was probably our best," Bulldogs defensive play caller Randy Stewart said. "We're getting more and more people in the right spots. We're disrupting more and more plays.

"They're getting more comfortable with what they need to do in the system. Guys aren't having to worry about making the play. They can just worry about doing their job. That's a relief on a defense when you know your partner will be there if you're not."

Bell's interception marked the third straight game Fresno State has forced a turnover, which is one reason the Bulldogs have a three-game winning streak.

Fresno State limited New Mexico State to 2 of 13 on third downs and 45 passing yards against an Aggies program that a year ago ran a pass-happy offense but continues to search for an offensive rhythm under first-year coach DeWayne Walker.

The Bulldogs defense appears to have found its own rhythm of late, reducing the number of big plays that scorched the team earlier in the year and playing stifling first-half defense.

In the past three games combined, the Bulldogs have allowed just 20 points in the first half.

Fresno State's overall defensive statistics still point to a vulnerable unit: The Bulldogs rank 71st in the nation in rushing yards allowed (147.7 yards per game), 61st in total yards allowed (353.8), 49th in passing yards allowed (206.1), and 47th in points allowed (22 per game).

But Stewart said he's seeing improvement.

"The number one measuring stick is 'Are you getting better week to week?' And I think we're heading in the right direction.

"It's getting more consistent. Over the last few weeks, we've grown every week. We played hard, ran well, played good team defense. From top to bottom, we've graded out pretty well lately. We just got to keep working on it."

Center Joe Bernardi's health status remains unclear. The Bulldogs did not practice Sunday after returning from Las Cruces, N.M., around 4 in the morning.

Bernardi appeared to injure himself early in the second quarter when quarterback Ryan Colburn was intercepted.

Bernardi, who started Saturday, had just come back from a shoulder injury that sidelined him the previous two games.