A Fresno perspective
The Utah Statesman interviewed Jerry R. Huerta, sports editor and football beat writer for The Collegian, Fresno State’s campus newspaper, Tuesday, in anticipation for the USU conference opener in Fresno, Calif., Saturday night.
US: What are your thoughts about Utah State?
JH: The Aggies are the best (2-4) team in the country. They have played a tough non- conference schedule so far this season. The Aggies played the national champions closely and should’ve come up with the upset win against them. This team is going to give Fresno State a tough challenge this Saturday.
US: What is the talk around the Fresno State campus after the big loss to Boise State?
JH: The team that played against Boise State on Friday wasn’t the team that played Nebraska to the wire in week two. It wasn’t the team that beat Idaho easily in the Kibbie Dome. Fresno State went back to its conservative self against the Broncos and didn’t put fear in the Boise State defense at all on Friday.
US: What are the Fresno coaches and players saying about Utah State at this point?
JH: Head coach Pat Hill is saying that Utah State has gotten some great athletes recently and are the best Aggies team that he has faced against. I think the general consensus is that Utah State is better than what its record indicates and it will face a real big test in this upcoming game.
US: What are Fresno State’s chances of winning a WAC championship?
JH: The chances of Fresno State winning the WAC championship is still in their hands. They need to win the next three weekend games to have a real shot, because they have Utah State coming this weekend and they travel to Reno to play — one of the 2010 WAC champions. Finally, they have to play Louisiana Tech at home. If they win these three
games, then they go into a very winnable game against New Mexico State undefeated.
US: What has been learned about Fresno at this point in the season?
JH: I think the main thing that has been learned is that this team is young and inexperienced. That means that it’s going to have its ups and downs as we have seen so far this season. They have played Nebraska and Ole Miss to the wire and dismantled Idaho but couldn’t do anything against Boise State or California. I think we will really see what kind of team they are, against Utah State.
US: What are Fresno’s strengths coming into the game?
JH: Their strength is on the offensive side of the ball with weapons all over the field. The
catalyst is quarterback Derek Carr, who has played good in his first season behind center. Then there is running back Robbie Rouse, who has been a workhorse so far this season. Finally, there are at least five receivers that Carr has at his disposal that are good in open space.
US: Perceived weakness?
JH: I would say the weakness of the team is on the defensive side of the ball because the ‘Dogs are prone to giving up the big play. In almost all of Fresno State’s games this season, they have given up plays of more than 20 yards more than once in every game. They will need to limit these if they want to win Friday.
US: Player of the game?
JH: My player of the game is Carr, because I feel like he will rebound from a horrible showing against Boise State.
US: Score prediction?
JH: I think the game will be close until the end, but I see Carr continuing his breakout season. I see Carr leading the ‘Dogs down the field late in the game to win. My prediction is 31-27 Fresno State.
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu