Since joining the conference in 2005, the Vandals have not beaten WAC foe Fresno State. The Vandals want nothing more than to send the Bulldogs back to Fresno, Calif., and out of the WAC with a loss.
The team will attempt the feat at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kibbie Dome in front of a Dads Weekend crowd. Fresno State is leaving the WAC along with Hawaii and Nevada to join the Mountain West Conference next year.
Coach Robb Akey said he believes his team has improved week-to-week, especially after facing one of the country’s best teams in Texas A&M. He said the improvement is needed against Fresno State.
“They’re a well-coached football team and they’ve got talented players, the guys they bring in are gonna be talented,” Akey said.
Senior linebacker Tre’Shawn Robinson said the defense needs to improve as well, and stay focused on the task at hand against the Bulldogs.
“Keep the focus, take the positive things that we got from last week … and take it on to the next game,” Robinson said. “We still gonna do what we do best. We like to bring pressure and get after them.”
Robinson said like one of the Vandals’ previous opponents, North Dakota, the Fresno State offense is simple, but sound.
“It’s a simple offense. They shift a lot … trying to get you confused about who’s doing what,” Robinson said. “They like to run the ball a lot. It’s simple but at the same time, their shifting and motions try to catch you off guard.”
The run game and play-action pass will provide the opportunity for the Vandals to bring blitz packages, Robinson said.
Cornerback coach Torey Hunter understands his cornerbacks will always have work to be done, but he believes the progress they have made is promising. He said he is close to having “four-deep” at the position. He echoed Robinson scouting the Bulldog offense.
“They’re old school. They’re hardball action,” Hunter said. “They’re gonna run power, they’re gonna run stretch, they’re gonna run zone and then they’re gonna play(-action) pass. That’s where the small, fast guys can get ya.”
Hunter said the biggest challenge for his cornerbacks will likely be from 5-foot-9-inch 190-pound sophomore Jalen Saunders. No. 6 Saunders leads the Bulldogs in receiving yards with 193 total and averages 64.3 yards per catch. Hunter said because of the “old school” offense, with a productive run-game, the Bulldogs will use a play-action pass game for large receptions.
“I think with the combination with the things we do — set our feet in the ground — get a touch on him a little bit, kinda like a boxing match. Take away his body down low a little bit, I think we’ll be OK,” Hunter said. “There’ s always a threat, and any time a team is good at running the football, they’re gonna be that much more affective in play-action pass.”
Junior college transfer wide receiver Mike Scott has been immediately productive in his first three games as a Vandal — something the Vandals will need Saturday to beat the Bulldogs.
He said he wasn’t as “banged up” as he expected coming out of the physical Texas A&M game. Scott said the receiving core has been dissecting the Bulldog defense all week.
“Watch a lot of film and see what they have planned for us and just break down the film,” Scott said. “Study. Do what we gotta do to come out on top.”
Scott totaled 285 receiving yards in his first three Division 1 games, enough to claim the second highest in the WAC.
Scott said the receiving core is prepared for Fresno State and WAC play.
Akey said offensive lineman Jordan Johnson is “very questionable” for the match-up against the Bulldogs. Wide receiver Preston Davis was not wearing a boot Wednesday afternoon, but Akey said next week would be the earliest he would return.
Akey said he believes people are ready to see two like teams face-off in WAC play..
“We’re both two football teams that are now finally back to playing against people like each other,” Akey said. “We’re into the conference race. A lot of people are gonna want to pay attention to the common opponents.”