Edwards is a model of stability for FSU

Fall 1993
Originally published by The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)

The saying goes, a good offense is always the best defense.

Not true for high-scoring Fresno State football, whose well-documented offense is capable of scoring in bunches but has a much-maligned defense.

If the Bulldogs want to get the rankings they deserve, they’ll have to learn how to stop people. Demetrius Edwards, a junior noseguard, has been a step in that slow process.

"I’m very proud of Demetrius," said head coach Jim Sweeney. "He has been a rock for us, a model of stability on our defensive front."

Edwards has faced the challenge of replacing last year’s senior standout Zach Rix.

"Those were awfully big shoes to fill," said Sweeney. "He’s done a tremendous job."

In last week’s 30-10 romp over UTEP, Edwards has 13 tackles, a career best. He has 55 total tackles going into Saturday’s tilt with Hawaii at Bulldog Stadium.

Edwards has started seven of the nine Bulldog games this season. He has put together one of the Bulldogs’ more solid defensive performances.

Edwards has 31 unassisted and 23 assisted tackles on the season, along with one tackle for a loss. He also has one recovered fumble and two pass deflections.

That adds up to 132 defensive points, 10th on the Bulldog list this season.

Fresno State’s defense has been roundly criticized, however, for its inability to protect big leads and put opponents away. The ’Dogs are giving up 201 passing yards, 230 rushing yards and 27 points a game.

FSU’s defense has surrendered 251 points on the season and ranks eighth overall in the WAC. While their third-ranked pass defense is solid, the ’Dogs are horrendous at stopping the run, ranking ninth.

"The key is playing for four quarters, with discipline and control," said Edwards. Edwards also said that the ’Dogs success against option teams has prepared them well for Hawaii.

"Our defense has done well against the option," said Edwards. "We’ve just got to concentrate on the task. That’s exactly what we need to win."

Sweeney said he welcomed Hawaii’s wide-open, daring offense compared to other teams’ grind-it-out approach that has stymied the ’Dogs scoring production.

"They have a lot of athleticism that matches up well with us," said Sweeney. "But they don’t have the defensive people they had in the past. They’re just not the same team they used to be."

"It’s unfair to think that we have an elixir to completely stop a run-dominated option offense anymore than they have the pieces put together to stop our offense."

Sweeney added: "The option and wishbone teams don’t just bother us, they’re a pain in the neck to everybody."

The Bulldogs met the Rainbows last year in Hawaii and lost a heartbreaker, 47-45. Edwards, meanwhile, wants to write a happier ending to the 1993 script. He has been hampered by a bad ankle but hopes to be at full strength for the Rainbows.

"He’s played through it well," said Sweeney. "We want to get him healthy enough to run better."

"I feel good right now," said Edwards: "I’m kind of banged up, but that’s how I feel after every game. And that’s how it should be. I feel that if you don’t feel like you left everything on the field, then you didn’t give it all you had."

"Things are going better for me; I’ve gotten better. What I want, though, is to get better for Saturday."

Edwards said that the ’Dogs plan to take it one step at a time.

"This is just another step in which we’re trying to get to a bowl," said Edwards. "Our spirits are high, but we’re not looking ahead to anything or jumping the gun."

"We win these next two games (against Hawaii and San Diego State), we should have a bowl game locked down. We can’t determine, but we should go to a good one."