’Dogs adjust after exits

Fresno State inside linebacker positions were already down and now there are just five scholarship players in the program.

Following the dismissals of Michael Lazarus on Monday and Xavier Ulutu in August – both for violations of team rules and athletic department policy – the Bulldogs’ scholarship players at Mike linebacker include two seniors in Kyrie Wilson and Jaamal Rose and one junior in Jeff Camilli, and Rose has been practicing with the scout team coming back from knee surgery.

The Bulldogs (1-4, 0-2 Mountain West) typically have eight across both inside positions among their 85 scholarship players.

The depth chart for Saturday’s homecoming game against Utah State (2-2, 1-0) has Wilson as the starter at Mike ahead of freshman Nela Otukolo and Camilli as the No. 1 at Will ahead of Robert Stanley.

To address the depth, Kyrian Obidiegwu has shifted to the inside linebacker position from outside linebacker. The Bulldogs also have several players who can play the Mike and the Will spots.

“We’re to the point now where some guys can play both spots,” defensive coordinator Nick Toth said. “I think Robert Stanley will be able to play Mike and Will; I think George (Helmuth) will be able to play Mike and Will. Kyrie over time will probably do the same thing, just to make sure we’re continuing to develop those guys and we’re getting the best guys on the field.”

Fresno State also will be in the market for inside linebackers this recruiting season, and could be mining the junior college ranks to bring in a more experienced player.

“There are some holes and the need for looking at a JC linebacker probably goes up,” coach Tim DeRuyter said. “But we’re going to take the best linebacker that we can find. We’re in some good ones now and we’ll go through the recruiting process. We’re not going to take a JC linebacker just to take a junior. He has to fit what we want and when we find that guy that wants to be a Bulldog, we’ll sign him.”

Next game: vs. Utah State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network)

Notable: The Bulldogs haven’t lost a homecoming game since 2006 when they were beaten by Hawaii.

Robert Kuwada, The Fresno Bee

West Division

Hawaii (2-3, 0-1) – For the third consecutive Tuesday, quarterback Max Wittek was restricted to mental reps and student coaching. But coach Norm Chow said he expects Wittek, who has a sore left knee, to start in Saturday’s homecoming game against San Diego State.

Wittek, who has started all five games, was pulled with a play left before halftime during last week’s 55-0 loss to Boise State. Ikaika Woolsey, who started 12 of 13 games in 2014, is the backup. Beau Reilly, who redshirted last season after completing a two-year church mission, took reps Tuesday as the No. 2 quarterback.

Next game: vs. San Diego State, 9 p.m. Saturday (Oceanic)

Notable: The Warriors have been shut out in three straight games (Ohio State, Wisconsin and Boise State).

Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Nevada (2-3, 0-1) – After losing at Air Force in overtime last season, the Wolf Pack’s season fell apart.

Nevada never recovered from that loss, a 45-38 defeat in which wide receiver Hasaan Henderson was stretchered off the field. The Pack lost to Fresno State at home the following week in the de facto MW West Division title game before ending with a bowl game dud, a 16-3 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl.

Nevada is coming off another demoralizing loss, this time a 23-17 defeat to rival UNLV, and coach Brian Polian’s plea to his team as it prepares for New Mexico is to bury the past and focus on the future.

Said linebacker Jordan Dobrich, a team captain for a third straight year: “This is more than an average conference game. … We definitely understand the gravity of the loss.”

Next game: vs. New Mexico, 4 p.m. Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network)

Notable: Guard Jeremy Macauley, who dislocated his knee, tore his meniscus and tore his MCL last season, injured the same knee against UNLV and is out indefinitely.

Chris Murray, Reno Gazette-Journal

San Diego State (2-3, 1-0) – Tailback Donnel Pumphrey suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of the Aztecs’ victory against Fresno State. Surprisingly, he was back at practice Monday, jogging lightly, but it would still seem doubtful that he could return for Saturday’s game at Hawaii.

Stepping into the lead role will be Chase Price, the 5-foot-8, 200-pound senior who averaged 4.78 yards per carry last season and scored five touchdowns while getting 141 carries. Behind Price, coach Rocky Long figures true sophomore Rashaad Penny and redshirt sophomore Marcus Stamps will pick up the slack.

Up next: at Hawaii, 9 p.m. Saturday (Time Warner Sports Network)

Notable: Quarterback Maxwell Smith played a third straight game without throwing an interception, though a couple of errant passes were dropped by defenders.

Tod Leonard, San Diego Union-Tribune

San Jose State (2-3, 1-1) – The Spartans can’t afford to dwell on their missed opportunity to score a signature win. That certainly was the case Saturday when San Jose State outgained Auburn and showed impressive control of the line of scrimmage on offense but turned the ball over four times in a 35-21 loss.

San Jose State’s trip to UNLV could showcase which team is a primary MW contender, along with San Diego State, to win the West Division. Considering the Spartans face the Aztecs at home in two weeks, this upcoming stretch might be Sam Jose State’s most important one of the season.

Next game: at UNLV, 6 p.m. Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network)

Notable: Quarterback Kenny Potter is still recovering from his high ankle sprain and it’s unknown when he’ll return, although Joe Gray has played well in his absence and that could play a role in the decision of when to bring back Potter.

Jimmy Durkin, San Jose Mercury News

UNLV (2-3, 1-0) – Sophomore Kurt Palandech will start at quarterback when the Rebels host San Jose State on Saturday. He replaces senior Blake Decker, who separated his non-throwing shoulder in Saturday’s 23-17 victory at Nevada. Decker is available in an emergency.

Palandech twice this season has been put in for extended action when Decker got hurt. He struggled both times, but played better at Nevada in completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards and rushing for a 12-yard touchdown.

Next game: vs. San Jose State, 6 p.m. Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network)

Notable: The Rebels celebrated their victory by taking the Fremont Cannon to the Student Union and painting the cannon, which goes to the annual winner of the series, from blue to red in front of about about 1,500 students and officials.

Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mountain Division

Air Force (2-2, 1-0) – The first practice after the Falcons’ loss at Navy saw four starters missing. All four – outside linebacker D.J. Dunn (undisclosed), nose guard David Harris (knee), linebacker Connor Healy (knee) and cornerback Roland Ladipo (concussion) – left during the 33-11 loss and didn’t return.

The Falcons’ depth chart this week does not include Healy or Harris, and coach Troy Calhoun confirmed neither will play. The status of the others is uncertain. That makes seven starters who are out (tight end Garrett Griffin, quarterback Nate Romine and center Alex Norton are the others).

Next game: vs. Wyoming, 7:15 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2)

Notable: Air Force has not trailed in either of its two home games.

Brent Briggeman, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette

Boise State (4-1, 1-0) – The success of true freshman quarterback Brett Rypien in two and a half games has led to speculation that coaches made the wrong decision in August.

Rypien is 51 for 69 for 718 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions since starter Ryan Finley broke a bone in his right ankle. Rypien’s rating of 190.02 would rank third in the nation if he qualified; he needs to play three more games to meet the NCAA standard.

“I know where you guys are going,” coach Bryan Harsin said Monday after several questions. “Let me be clear on this: Ryan Finley was the clear starter coming out of fall camp.”

Rypien, Harsin added, has improved his passing significantly since.

Next game: at Colorado State, 4 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network)

Notable: Running back Jeremy McNichols leads the nation with 12 touchdowns.

Chadd Cripe, (Boise) Idaho Statesman

Colorado State (2-3, 0-1) – The Rams are among the most turnover-prone and penalized teams in the nation.

Only one team has a worse turnover margin than Colorado State’s minus-9 – Cincinnati at minus-11. The Rams have lost eight fumbles and thrown six interceptions. They’ve also been penalized 45 times for 394 yards. Their average of 9.0 penalties a game ranks No. 115 among the nation’s 127 FBS programs, and their 78.8 penalty yards a game ranks No. 111.

Next game: vs. Boise State, 5 p.m. MT Saturday (CBS Sports Network)

Notable: Quarterback Nick Stevens leads the MW and is No. 15 nationally in passing yards (1,129). His 10 touchdown passes also are a MW best.

Kelly Lyell, Fort Collins Coloradoan

New Mexico (3-2, 1-0) – The Lobos beat their downstate rival 38-29 Saturday, making it four in a row over New Mexico State during Bob Davie’s tenure. Under his predecessor, Mike Locksley (and interim coach George Barlow), New Mexico was 0-3 against the Aggies.

“I think beating New Mexico State four straight years is probably pretty much of a signature, particularly when you lost three straight times before you came in here,” Davie said. “But I’ll let you guys (the media) all evaluate what signature wins are.”

Next game: at Nevada, 4 p.m. Saturday (Mountain West Digital Network/Campus Insiders)

Notable: New Mexico rushed for 401 yards against New Mexico State, moving the Lobos into ninth place nationally in rushing (290 per game). They’ve finished no lower than fifth nationally the past three years.

Rick Wright, Albuquerque Journal

Utah State (2-2, 1-0) – Kent Myers gave the Aggies a boost on offense in their 33-18 victory over Colorado State – running for 191 yards and one touchdown to break the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Utah State had averaged 292.3 yards and scored three offensive touchdowns in its first three games.

A sophomore, Myers went 5-1 last season after injuries sidelined Utah State’s top three quarterbacks – Chuckie Keeton, Craig Harrison and Darell Garretson. With Keeton back for his senior season and Oregon transfer Damion Hobbs available as his backup, Myers was scheduled to redshirt this year. He did not play in the first three games.

With Keeton sidelined another two to four weeks because of a knee sprain, Myers was pressed into duty. He ended up being named the MW offensive player of the week.

Next game: at Fresno State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network)

Notable: Utah State has forced six turnovers in its past two games.

Steve Luhm, Salt Lake Tribune

Wyoming (0-5, 0-1) – The Cowboys were just 2 of 6 in the red zone in their 31-13 loss Saturday at Appalachian State. One of those failed attempts came on their first offensive series when a Cameron Coffman pass was picked off and returned 91 yards for a score that put Wyoming down 14-0 with 10:55 left in the first quarter.

Next game: at Air Force, 7:15 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2)

Notable: Wyoming is last among all 127 FBS teams in red-zone scoring, having converted 10 of 19 attempts.

Robert Gagliardi, Wyoming Tribune Eagle

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 7:26 PM with the headline "’Dogs adjust after exits."