 | FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. WYOMING (6-6)
New Mexico Bowl
Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m. ET
ESPN |  |
INSIDE THE CAMPS
FRESNO STATE
For Fresno State, the Dec. 19 New Mexico Bowl against Wyoming feels less like a bowl appearance than a continuation of the regular season.
The Bulldogs ended their regular season on Dec. 5 with a dramatic road victory against Illinois to earn their eight victory of the year.
The bowl appearance is Fresno State's 10th in the last 11 years, including its second consecutive trip to Albuquerque. Colorado State topped Fresno State 40-35 in last year's game behind a huge effort from Rams running back Gartrell Johnson.
"We are a much different team, a more confident team than when we came to New Mexico a year ago," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "We were not a strong team at the end of last season, and the fourth quarter against Colorado State showed that."
It could be the final college game for star Fresno State tailback Ryan Mathews, a junior whom many expect to leave for the NFL after the game. Mathews led the nation in rushing yards per game.
Fresno State has won seven of its last eight game after a 1-3 start that included losses to Wisconsin, Boise State and Cincinnati. The three teams combined for a 34-3 record. Boise State and Cincinnati finished a combined 25-0 and will play in BCS bowl games.
"You could tell by the chemistry in the locker room they were not going to let the season get away from them. I'm very proud of this team," Hill said.
WYOMING
First-year coach Dave Christensen is tackling the age-old problem with teams enjoying their first taste of the postseason in a while: How much does he allow his players to enjoy the bowl experience compared to getting them ready to play?
The Cowboys (6-6) have a tough challenge against explosive Fresno State (8-4) in the New Mexico Bowl. While the Bulldogs are making its second consecutive trip to Albuquerque, Wyoming is playing in its first bowl game since 2004 -- meaning none of current players have gone to the postseason.
"We certainly want them to enjoy themselves because it is a reward for these kids," Christensen said.
"We're going to have to guard against (putting the enjoyment ahead of winning). We'll let them enjoy the first two days of the activities and experience, and then we'll starting cranking it up, getting focused the last two days.
"I had to take some time to explain to them when you go to a bowl game, it's not like you practice non-stop, you get on a plane, you fly down and then you fly home. They didn't even know you come for a couple of days (before)."
Because of the Dec. 19 kickoff for the bowl game, the Cowboys had time to use just more than half of their available 15 practices. The one-half theme is consistent with their offensive inconsistencies this season. Wyoming has enjoyed success on the scoreboard for only half its games.
Christensen is quick to point out that his team has faced several of the nation's better defenses -- including TCU's top-ranked unit and Texas' No. 3 squad.
Wyoming and Fresno State each played arduous schedules -- combining for losses against four of the nation's five undefeated teams. While the Cowboys lost to No. 2 Texas and No. 4 TCU in the Bowl Championship Series standings, Fresno State lost to No. 3 Cincinnati and No. 6 Boise State.
The Bulldogs and Cowboys have just one win against an opponent with a winning record, and that was Fresno State's win over Idaho. Wyoming has played well in stretches against teams with winning records -- with the exception of its 52-0 loss to Brigham Young -- but it must figure out how to play well for four quarters against those foes.
"I don't know if we present any matchup problems (for FSU)," Christensen said. "We've won football games because we play very disciplined."
Wyoming has a plus-7 turnover ratio, while Fresno State enters the game with a minus-9 ratio. That has to give the Cowboys hope for capturing that first win over a ranked team this season.
KEY MATCHUPS
Wyoming QB Austyn Carter-Samuels vs. Fresno State defense.
Carter-Samuels is one of eight freshmen who have started throughout the season for Wyoming. Twelve freshmen have played for first-year coach Dave Christensen. That helps explain some of Wyoming's troubles. The Cowboys have been shut out three times, but they also have won four games after trailing in the fourth quarter. Carter-Samuels, the Mountain West freshman of the year, rushed for 295 yards and threw for 1,752 while contributing 10 touchdowns in the regular season.
Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews vs. Wyoming run defense.
Mathews led the nation in rushing yards per game, topping Heisman Trophy finalists Toby Gerhart (Stanford) and Mark Ingram (Alabama) with 151.3 yards per game. Mathews averaged 6.8 yards per carry and scored 17 touchdowns on the season. Wyoming ranked 91st in the country in rush defense. The Cowboys allowed more than 150 rushing yards in each of their last six games, including more than 225 yards three times. It could be a big day for Mathews in what many expect to be his final game with Fresno State.
Fresno State special teams vs. Wyoming special teams.
Special teams often make the difference in bowl games, and Fresno State has made a living off special teams throughout coach Pat Hill's tenure. K Kevin Goessling and P Robert Malone were first-team All-WAC selections, giving the Bulldogs a big edge in the kicking game.
NAMES TO KNOW
FRESNO STATE
RB Ryan Mathews -- The junior, who is considering a move to the NFL, set the Bulldogs' school record for touchdowns with his three against Illinois. Mathews now has 36 career touchdowns. He is also second on the school's all-time rushing list with 3,136 yards. Mathews has 10 100-yard games this season, another Fresno State record.
K Kevin Goessling -- The sophomore has made 15 straight field goals since missing his first attempt of the season. Goessling has made 22 of his last 24 field goal tries dating back to last season.
OG Devan Cunningham -- The 6-foot-6, 350-pound guard found himself in the most unlikely of positions in the final seconds of the season-finale against Illinois -- with the ball in his hands. Cunningham caught a deflected pass on the game-winning two-point conversion and stumbled into the end zone.
WYOMING
QB Austyn Carta-Samuels -- The true freshman has been in too many big games to be awed by playing in the postseason. His scrambling will be critical to Wyoming's ability to create some big plays that will enable it to go score for score with Fresno State.
RB Alvester Alexander -- The true freshman has to be able to give Wyoming 3 or 4 yards consistently between the tackles. He must be decisive in his ball-carrying to give the Cowboys manageable distances on second and third down. If he is hesitant or dances around too much trying to make a big play, the offense may be in trouble.
ILB Brian Hendricks -- He should be at full strength after ankle and knee injuries caused him to miss a couple of games down the stretch before he returned for the regular-season finale. He's the team's leading tackler, and his ability to fly around -- especially to defend the run -- will be critical in the Cowboys' ability to get off the field.
FS Chris Prosinski -- He has to be ready to help cornerback brothers Marcell and Tashaun Gipson in the passing game, but his film-study preparation will be critical in helping Wyoming defend the run more effectively. He has to be able to help make plays closer to the line of scrimmage to prevent Fresno from controlling the tempo of the game.
MEDICAL WATCH
FRESNO STATE
- RB Anthony Harding (knee) will not play in the bowl game.
- OG Andrew Jackson (knee) returned to the starting lineup against Illinois. Jackson had not started in a month after injuring his knee against Idaho. Leslie Cooper had been starting in Jackson's place.
- QB Ebahn Feathers (personal issues) returned to practice last week, but did not travel with the team to Illinois.
WYOMING
- True freshman TE David Tooley suffered a torn ACL during the regular-season finale, and this is the one big injury that will affect Wyoming in the bowl game. He was just starting to take a larger role in the offense, giving the Cowboys a downfield threat they sorely needed.
- Senior RG Zach Kennedy has settled into the position, starting the past three games. Wyoming has tried four players at the position.
- LB Brian Hendricks, who had knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of a pair of games, returned against CSU and should be at full strength for Fresno State.
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TSX PICKS: Fresno State 42-27
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