Fresno State Bulldogs
2000 overall record: 7-5
Conference record: 6-2 (3rd)
Returning starters
Offense: 9
Defense: 6
Kickers: 2
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Josh Levi* (397 yds)
Passing: David Carr* (2,729 yds)
Receiving: Bernard Berrian* (705 yds)
Tackles: Tim Skipper (107)
Sacks: Orlando Huff (10)
Interceptions: Tierre Sams* (4)
What's new
The Bulldogs must replace all three starters at linebacker after having arguably the best corps in the conference last season. Breaking in these new faces will be the job of Dan Brown, who takes over as defensive coordinator after coaching those linebackers for the previous four years. He is not expected to change the defensive schemes.
Battling it out
Sam Williams and Maurice Rodriguez have a good battle going for a starting spot at outside linebacker. Williams, who has good quickness for that position, saw some time there last year, but Rodriguez had an excellent spring. He led the team with five tackles and a sack in the spring game and was always around the play. This appears to be an even race entering the fall.
Eye catcher: MLB Jamal Jones
The redshirt freshman came into the spring as an unknown entity and impressed the coaches with his play. Jones has a compact build and looks like a middle linebacker. He has good instincts reading plays and is quick to the ball. His solid workouts have put him in position to get some playing time behind Marc Dailey.
Budding star: WR Bernard Berrian
He was a reserve receiver to start last season, but moved into a starting position when Rodney Wright went down with an injury. Berrian went on to start the last seven games and led the team in receiving. He had a huge bowl game with seven catches for 162 yds and 2 TDs against Air Force. A solid spring could foreshadow another big year in 2001.
Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
