2013 PAC-12 Know the Opponent: Fresno State

Year one of the Tim DeRuyter era started with a 9-4 plus 7-1 record in the Bulldogs first season in the Mountain West Conference which they earned a share of the title. What will Fresno State do in DeRuyter’s second season?

Fresno State Bulldogs and quarterback Derek Carr will face Colorado in Boulder on Sept. 14. Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

FSU is lead by senior Derek Carr who’s a projected first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and will be joined by seven other returning starters on offense. Overall Fresno State returns 16 players from a season ago eight on both sides of the ball so the sky is the limit for the ‘Dawgs.

On offense the Bulldogs lose leading rusher Robbie Rouse who ran for 1,555 yards with 12 scores on the ground he caught two more for touchdowns. Carr who threw for 4,104 yards and 37 TD’s with only seven interceptions will have four of his top five receivers back in 2013.

The defense loses their leading tackler but should still be a solid unit with Derron Smith who was second on the team last season with 79 tackles returning. Smith also intercepted six passes, Sean Alston also is back and was second on the team with five INTs.

Saturday, September 14 Fresno State travels to Boulder to face Colorado which will be at 11 am on the PAC-12 Network. The teams faced off in Fresno last season where the Bulldogs dismantled the Buffaloes 69-14.

Bulldogs 2013 schedule: Aug. 29 v. Rutgers, Sept. 7 v. Cal Poly, Sept. 14 @Colorado, Sept. 20 v. Boise State*, Sept. 28 @Hawaii*, Oct. 5 @Idaho, Oct. 19 v. UNLV*, Oct. 26 @San Diego State*, Nov. 2 v. Nevada, Nov. 9 @Wyoming*, Nov. 23 v. New Mexico*, Nov. 29 @San Jose State*

* = Mountain West Conference Game

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