October 30, 1992
Originally published by The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)
It has been a long time since anyone can remember Fresno State being at .500 this late in the season.
But then, this hasn't been your typical season either. All of the Bulldogs' four losses could easily have gone the other way. With a little luck, the 'Dogs could be 8-0 at this juncture.
Since luck doesn't count in the standings or on the scoreboard, however, the Bulldogs remain at 4-4 and 2-2 in WAC play, needing a win over Wyoming Saturday night to stay in realistic contention. The game will be at 7 p.m. under the bright lights at Bulldog Stadium.
In fact, both teams need a win. Wyoming comes in with the same record as the Bulldogs.
"I think at this stage, it looks like we could have the WAC winner with two losses," Wyoming head coach Joe Tiller said. However, he said that he does not think the champion of the WAC will have three losses.
The Cowboys are coming off a 31-14 win at Colorado State that allowed them to break even at .500 with a 4-4 record.
In their game against the Rams, Wyoming, for the first time this year had success in the third quarter.
"We had good success (in the third quarter against the Rams), Tiller said. "We've been a team that has struggled in the third quarter. It was nice to play a football game for 60 minutes."
Wyoming doesn't run an option. Their offense utilizes the two tight-end spread.
Tiller sees his as a team that has to work hard to win. I don't see us like Fresno State; we don't have that capability," he said. "Our team is an average football team."
One player that FSU fans will look for is 6'3" junior wide receiver Ryan Yarborough. Through only eight games, Yarborough is six yards away from the magical 1,000 yard mark. Not too many college wide recievers have those kinds of numbers. He had 59 catches for 994 yards and 10 TDs. He is averaging seven catches and 124 yards a game.
"Yarborough is a great receiver, one of the best I've ever seen," said Bulldog head coach Jim Sweeney.
Fresno State is looking to win consecutive games for the first time this season. They are coming off a 31-28 thriller over New Mexico last Saturday night. In that game, Trent Dilfer rallied the 'Dogs to a last-minute victory by taking them 80 yards in six plays, capped by a 34-yard scoring strike to Malcolm Seabron.
Tiller had nothing but respect for Dilfer. "If we had to vote right now (for a player of the year in the WAC), Wyoming would vote for Trent Dilfer," Tiller said.
Tiller was also impressed with the rest of the offense and the Bulldog squad. "I think Fresno State is an excellent football team. I have a lot of respect for the Bulldogs and Sweeney," Tiller said.
What does Sweeney expect from the Cowboys?
"They have a huge tight end who can play. They have a great offensive line," Sweeney said. "They run more formations; I called Joe (Tiller) and told him why don't we make a deal; you run two formations and I'll run two formations."
Linebacker Wendell Valentine and defensive back Tommy Jones were a force for the Bulldogs. I'm proud of these guys; Tommy (Jones) has done a tremendous job for us," Sweeney said. He added that Valentine is becoming one the team's favorites.
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