Oregon Football: Three Bulldogs on Defense

The Fresno State Bulldogs recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss in their 37-10 victory over Weber State. This means that the Bulldogs will try their hardest to get after freshman quarterback, Marcus Mariota.

Sep 03, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs defensive back Derron Smith (13) and defensive back Terrance Dennis (15) deflect a pass from California Golden Bears tight end Spencer Hagan (87) during the third quarter of the game at Candlestick Park. California won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

That doesn’t mean that Mariota could have a completely different game against Fresno State, but that is highly doubtful. If Mariota does feel more pressure against the Bulldogs, you can be sure that either of these three players will have their name by it.

Derron Smith (#13, defensive back)

Redshirt Sophomore from Banning, California
5-foot-11, 194 pounds

In the Bulldogs first game against Weber State, Smith recorded eight total tackles which lead the team in the season opener. He only recorded 16 tackles and two pass break ups in 2011 because of a season ending injury.

Smith only played three games in 2011 because he suffered a broken arm in their game against North Dakota. At this point in his college career, he had not been redshirted. Fresno State decided to redshirt him and he received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. That is why this will be his sophomore season and why he will have two more season after 2012.

Patrick Su’a (#30, linebacker)

Junior from Bakerfield, California
6-foot-1, 240 pounds

Patrick Su’a recorded eight total tackles in the season opener against Weber State which was the second best on the team behind Smith. He also had one tackle for loss and one sack.

In 2011, Su’a recorded 37 tackles and had 28 solo tackles. He was even a good tackler on special teams for the Bulldogs. Last season, he recorded 16 special teams tackles and was named the team’s player of the year on special teams. He is the special teams captain.

Sean Alston (#18, defensive back)

Sophomore from Alta Loma, California
5-foot-10, 192 pounds

In the season opener against Weber State, Seas Alston recorded only 3 tackles in the game. He also recorded the only interception on the day for the Fresno State defense. This will be a big year for Alston because he will be getting more play time in 2012.

He only played in nine games in 2011, but mostly played on special teams. He recorded only 3 tackles all year in 2011 for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

The Oregon Ducks offense and Marcus Mariota should have no problem getting past the Fresno State Bulldogs, but will they be as good as Week 1 where they only played the first half?

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