The No. 18 Bulldogs face UH in search of fourth consecutive victory | News, Sports, Jobs

Fresno State wide receiver Jalen Cropper celebrates a touchdown against UNLV last Friday. The Bulldogs face Hawaii on Saturday. AP file photo

The Associated Press

HONOLULU – No. 18 Fresno State will look to continue making noise this weekend, even though everything around the Bulldogs is quiet.

The Bulldogs will seek a fourth consecutive victory on Saturday when they visit the University of Hawaii, which will not allow fans into the Clarence TC Ching Sports Complex due to local government mandates banning large gatherings over related concerns. to COVID-19. Hawaii is the only one of 130 FBS programs not to allow fans in the stands.

“You know, last year wasn’t a lot of fun without fans, so it’s going to be kind of like that. “ Fresno State coach Kalen DeBoer said. “But I think where we are as a football team right now, and what we play for every week, is a huge asset for us to get into this football game, where you have to have that internal fire. and that internal motivation fire to be motivated to do it this Saturday.

In its other two road games this season, Fresno State has played in front of more than 43,000 spectators in Oregon and more than 50,000 at UCLA.

“We’ve had such an electric atmosphere in every game so it’s going to be dramatically different and that’s where we have to have a great week of preparation because preparation breeds confidence, confidence brings energy that runs deep. “ DeBoer said. “It can’t be this fake energy that suddenly comes to life on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.”

The Bulldogs (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West) have won their last three games and are coming off a 38-30 comeback against UNLV last Friday.

The Rainbow Warriors (2-3, 0-1) return home after a 41-21 victory over New Mexico State that ended a two-game losing streak.

Hawaii will play fanless for the third time this season at the 9,000-seat campus facility that this year replaced its long-time home, Aloha Stadium.

HAENER’S PRODUCTION

Senior quarterback Jake Haener has been quite prolific during his short stint at Fresno State. In just 11 career games, the Washington transfer has recorded eight 300-yard passing games, including four this season.

In a 40-37 win over UCLA, Haener threw for 455 yards and two touchdowns on 39 of 53 passes. Last week, he scored 30 of 42 for 378 yards and five scores against UNLV, his third straight game with au less 300 yards in the air.

Haener is the FBS leader in passing yards (1,842) and third in passing yards per game (368.4). He completed 136 of 186 assists (73.1%), the seventh highest national score.

“His preparation and what he puts into it is a big reason for his success, not just the talent and the group around him, so as long as he does it and stays on course with his preparation the sky is the limit. for him and more great things will happen throughout the year ”, DeBoer said.

TURNER THE PLAYMAKER

Hawaii wide receiver Calvin Turner Jr. has proven to be one of Mountain West’s most explosive players. The Savannah, Ga. Senior lined up with the wide receiver, running back, wild quarterback and returner on kickoffs and punts.

Turner produced a pair of highlights this season. His first was a 34-yard backhand run in the first quarter against Portland State and last week he reversed the 20-yard field on a reaction sweep and dodged a number of would-be tackles on his way to a 14 yard touchdown stroke.

“It’s just about constantly training your players and letting them know the importance of your chasing angles and you have to have this attitude of ‘If I don’t beat you there, I’ll meet you there. “And everyone has to go on because you can’t just think he’s (he’s) down, because there are times when two or three guys have had him in their hands and then everything. suddenly – woosh – he comes out from behind and he has the speed and agility to run away from everyone in the field ”, Fresno State Defensive Coordinator William Inge said.

Turner has scored in four straight games and has six touchdowns this season.