RACING ‘ROUND THE VALLEY

By Dan Fleisher

Do you remember racing decals?

This article is totally offbeat compared to the regular ones appearing on VSP.com but I recently came across a slew of racing decals that brought back memories galore. Thought you’d like to see them.

When you were a kid, did you collect Baseball, Football and Basketball cards? Almost all boys did including me (no offense girls). As a matter of fact, some adults still partake because in recent years, selling and trading cards has become BIG BUSINESS.

But what about racing related decals? Have you ever collected or saved them? I’m not referring to current decals appearing on the back window of your pickup truck or mini-van, like the NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt popular #3 or Jeff Gordon #24 multicolored ones.

I’m referring to decals that pictured RACING CARS: Midgets, Big Cars, Track Roadsters, Indy Cars, Dragsters and even Land Speed racers. Most of these were used as advertising materials by affiliated sponsors or businesses.

Back in 1947, my Dad placed the following decal on the front windshield of the family’s 4-door Plymouth. It was really neat but after selling the car in 1950, I never saw the same decal until two weeks ago, some 59 years later. I went bonkers seeing it on e-bay and promptly gobbled it up for a whopping (sic) $4.99. It was more than a bargain folks, it was a gift. WOW, what a find!

Side Note: Rose Tire Company not only supplied tires for Midget racecars, they also had a small Tow Vehicle used to help start Midgets in those days. There were no “push” trucks, only pickup’s with a man sitting in the “bed” holding a quick release rope that was tied to the front axel of the racecar. After pulling the racer up to speed, the driver hit the magneto switch starting the unique sounding Offy or Elto engines (a Marine engine), then hand-signaled the man in the truck-bed to disengage the rope using the specially designed release. Primitive yet effective! I still don’t know (technically) how it worked.

During that era, I constantly looked at other passenger cars hoping to see racing decals. If I saw one, I knew we had something in common; the guy had to be a race fan right? Also, when attending races at Gilmore Stadium and other tracks in Los Angeles, I went through the parking lot looking to see who had what on their window and if I saw a decal I didn’t have, I asked Dad to get it for me. They were free for the asking if you found the sponsoring company because they loved the free advertising.

In later years, like most of us, I cleaned out the closets and garages, throwing out what I thought was “junk,” never realizing they might be “treasures” or worth some greenbacks 30, 40 or 50 years down the road. Too bad I didn’t have foresight. If nothing else, the junk would have served as memories for the next generations. I’ve often kicked myself in the rear but thank goodness for the internet and the ability to find almost anything from the past.

Take a look at some of the NEAT decals from bygone years, including the Bakersfield Drags image I’ve included for you “Valleyites.” They don’t make ‘um like they used to.



If you have a collection and would like to swap stories, or decals, feel free to contact me: danfleisher1@yahoo.com

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Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes is a born and raised Fresnan and alum of Edison High School, class of 1999.

Chris is a huge basketball fan. His best Fresno State memories were during the Jerry Tarkanian era. He loved watching guys like Kendrick Brooks, Terrence Roberson, Dominick Young, Chris Herren, Melvin Ely, Rafer Alston, and his favorite Bulldog of all-time, Courtney Alexander.

“Say what you want about Tark, but he brought good basketball games and players to the valley,” says Chris. If it wasn’t for Tark, the Save Mart Center wouldn’t be here Not sure if that’s a good thing though.”

Chris’s favorite teams are the San Francisco Giants (Will Clark has the sweetest swing ever), Miami Heat, and any team Terrell Owens plays for. Go Bills!

After high school, Chris chased that elusive dream of playing professional basketball, playing junior college ball for three years at Sacramento City College and Columbia Junior College, respectively. He received a scholarship to play at Fresno Pacific University, but Chris quickly realized during the season that sitting on the bench in the GSAC would not accomplish that professional goal. Changes had to be made!

The next phase of his life took him into the media (something he said he would never do). He worked as a producer/on-air talent and blogger for FOX Sports Radio 1340 in Fresno for two years, competing against then rival George Takata to no avail.

So if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Takata asked Chris to join the VSP family, putting all the rivalry animosity to the side. Chris proudly accepted, but I guess that’s not saying much since he switches NFL teams every other year. He won’t be switching jobs again anytime soon.

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A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATING

In Los Angeles, there are a few things you can always count on. Traffic on the 405, Storm Watch news graphics accompanying the first drizzle of the year and sham celebrity weddings (Thanks, Khlomar…third-best Laker marries third-best Kardashian sister!).

Add to that list, the inevitable “The NFL is coming back to L.A.!” story. Usually it turns up sometime in January as though it’s some part of the official Rose Bowl wrap-up package. This year however, the rumor mill starting grinding a few months early. L.A. Times’ NFL writer Sam Farmer did his due diligence in reporting on a proposed stadium in the City of Industry.

(By the way, there’s a City of Industry and a City of Commerce but no City of Residence…what gives?)

Feeling like I knew what the story would say even before reading it, I asked Farmer (via Twitter) if he re-wrote the story every year or just dusted off an old copy and changed all the pertinent names and locations.

His response, which confirmed many of my suspicions: “It’s ‘select all,’ control C, control V.”

There are those in Los Angeles who would really love to see the league drop itself down on our collective sports couch. They’re just vastly outnumbered by the people who hear the knocking but aren’t in any rush to answer the door.

Why would they be? In a city filled with transplants, most of the football fans in town have a team they cheer for. For proof, look no further than the Seattle Seahawks bar I stumbled upon in the heart of Culver City. Imagine my surprise when hordes of blue and green clad rowdies starting showing up and demanding that the televisions be changed to their beloved ‘Squawks.

Admittedly, I harbored some secret sadistic glee when Devin Hester broke free for a long touchdown that eventually was the game-winner (it helped slightly ease the pain from Brett Favre sinking the 49ers earlier in the day with his buzzer beater). But that’s the point…no one here wants a hand-me down team. There are plenty of football fans in this town, but not enough of one team to support it if they decided to settle down in The Basin.

Add to it that the league isn’t considering expansion – it took years to organize into eight neatly arranged divisions and they’re not going to add a 33rd wheel. That’s to say nothing of being able to get the weekly NFL doubleheader on your local network affiliate. Why mess that up for a team you may or may not care about?

Yet this story resurfaces every year like the city’s own personal game of MadLibs. For the middlemen trying to bring the NFL back: respect their persistence, but question their judgment. There’s no doubt that the biggest sporting enterprise in the country looks a little odd not having any ties to the nation’s second largest media market, but at some point continually chasing your tail over something that few really care about makes you look like an all-day sucker. And probably pretty dizzy as well…

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THE FEDEX CUP

By Mike Firpo
VSP Golf Columnist
Executive Director, The First Tee of Fresno

So, has everyone recovered from the exciting final weekend of action watching the FedExCup Playoffs at Eastlake? The reality of the situation is that if I polled 100 people at Riverside Golf Course this week and asked them to explain how the playoff system worked, 99 of them would not know and the one who did know probably has way too much time on his hands. It should be noted that many of the players actually playing on tour don’t even know for sure how the system works. It may be a confusing system, but our two former Fresno State players, Nick Watney and Kevin Sutherland, once again represented our Bulldogs and the community well during the 2009 playoffs.

Nick finished 12th in overall earnings for 2009 and 12th in the FedExCup points. He made it all the way to the final playoff event, The Tour Championship, and fired rounds of 70, 69, 71, 71, on the Par 70 course at Eastlake CC, good for 13th place. During his four days at the Tour Championship, Nick had his ups and downs on the course, but he always managed to keep his final score right around par. He hit less than half the fairways off the tee, but he was in the top 10 in putts per round and he was tied for 4th in birdies made. His final two rounds each had three bogeys and a double-bogey, but he still managed to shoot 1-over par 71 both days. This is a testament to Nick’s mental toughness.

Nick is continuing to prove what I have been saying about him for a couple of years now. He is quietly becoming one of the best players on tour because he is solid and steady. He does not wow anyone with wild clothes or memorable quotes. He does not do anything to draw attention to himself by being controversial or outspoken. He simply plays golf very well. Do not be surprised if you see Nick battling Tiger or Phil for a major championship late on a Sunday afternoon sometime very soon; I won’t be.

Kevin Sutherland finished 64th in overall earnings for 2009 and 44th in the FedExCup points. Kevin did not play the final week at Eastlake because only the top 30 in points advance to the Tour Championship. Don’t feel too bad for Kevin though because he still made over a million dollars and made it through to the third week of the four week playoff system. A twenty three year veteran of professional golf, Kevin is still a force on tour. He made the cut in 22 of the 25 events he entered and is ranked 60th in the world.

Now, as for the playoff rules, I was going to detail them for you, but instead I am just going to give you a brief summary of how it works. This is the third year of the playoffs and the second time the rules have been tweaked.

•Players are awarded points for playing well in each regular season tournament
•The top 125 in points make it into the playoffs
•Each week the number is reduced until they get to the Tour Championship with only 30 players left
•The points are then recalculated based on their ranking to help level the playing field and prevent someone from clinching the title in the first three weeks
•If you are in the top 5 entering the final week, you are guaranteed the title by winning the last event
•Players 6-30 still have a mathematical chance to win the overall title depending on how everyone else finishes.

The bottom line is the tour has succeeded in creating interest in the late-summer events after the majors are over, but most of us are just not sure why.

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FINAL MINOR LEAGUE STATS

Here are the final 2009 combined statistics of every minor league baseball player from the valley. The team listed is the one he finished his minor league season with. Some have played with more than one minor league team this year. If we missed someone, please let us know! Statistical information compiled by Bryan Grace.

OMAR AGUILAR (Merced College), Brevard County Manatees (Brewers, A): 3-1, 4.72 ERA, 41 games, 14 saves, 27 walks, 70 K’s

ALAN AHMADY (Clovis West/ Fresno State), Batavia Muckdogs (Cardinals, A): .292 Avg, 67 Games, 46 Runs, 71 Hits, 3 HR, 32 RBI

RYAN BLAIR (Golden West High School), Kinston Indians (Indians, A): .212 Avg, 76 Games, 26 Runs, 55 Hits,2 HR, 18 RBI

DAYTON BULLER (Yosemite High School, FCC) Tulsa Drillers (Rockies, AA): .261 Avg, 26 Games, 8 Runs, 24 Hits, 1 HR, 7 RBI

MICHAEL COLLA (Clovis West) Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates, A): 6-3, 4.31 ERA, 37 Games, 19 Walks, 52 K’s

RYAN COOK (Clovis High School) South Bend Silver Hawks (Diamond Backs, A): 11-11, 3.66 ERA, 25 Games, 44 Walks, 103 K’s

MARQUISE COOPER (Edison High School) GCL Marlins (Marlins): .193 Avg, 39 Games, 19 Runs, 27 Hits, 1 HR, 14 RBI

SHANE COSTA (Visalia) Omaha Royals (Royals, AAA): .500 Avg, 1 Game, 1 Hit

LEONARD DAVIS (Dos Palos High School/ FCC) Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals, AAA): .273 Avg, 126 Games, 51 Runs, 120 Hits, 16 HR, 55 RBI

JASON DONALD (Buchanan High School) Columbus Clippers (Indians, AAA): .238 Avg, 70 Games, 40 Runs, 64 Hits, 2 HR, 18 RBI

THOMAS EAGER (Merced High School) Palm Beach Cardinals (Cardinals, A): 4-6, 5.25 ERA, 52 Games, 46 Walks, 75 K’s

DOUG FISTER (Golden Valley High School/ Merced College/ Fresno State) Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners, AAA): 7-4, 3.62 ERA 24 Games, 12 Walks, 84 K’s (Promoted to Mariners)

EDDIE GAMBOA (Merced High School) Bowie Baysoxs (Orioles, AA): 11-0, 1.08 ERA, 39 Games, 3 Saves, 17 Walks, 75 K’s

BRADIN HAGENS (Merced College) Missoula Osprey (Diamond Backs, Rookie): 1-1, 3.42 ERA, 15 Games, 4 Saves, 6 Walks, 13 K’s

PERNELL HALLIMAN (Edison High School) Idaho Falls Chukars (Royals, A): 5-1, 5.59 ERA, 15 Games, 1 Save, 28 Walks, 39 K’s

SEAN HALTON (Fresno High School/FCC) Helena Brewers (Brewers, Rookie): .345 Avg, 69 Games, 40 Runs, 88 Hits, 6 HR, 45 RBI

GABE JACOBO (Tulare Western) Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels, A): .257 Avg, 118 Games, 59 Runs, 113 Hits, 10 HR, 72 RBI

JAKE JEFFERIES (Buhach Colony High School) Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays, A): .261 Avg, 116 Games, 54 Runs, 115 Hits, 8 HR, 50 RBI

JORGE JIMENEZ (Porterville JC) Portland Sea Hogs (Red Sox, AA): .289 Avg, 133 Games, 63 Runs, 144 Hits, 13 HR, 87 RBI

OZZIE LEWIS (Fresno State) Beloit Snappers (Twins, A): .272 Avg, 108 Games, 43 Runs, 109 Hits, 7 HR, 53 RBI

BRANDON MARTINEZ (Fowler High School) AZL Dodgers (Dodgers): 0-4, 9.86 ERA, 10 Games, 11 Walks, 23 K’s

TOM MENDONCA (Fresno State) Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers, A): .290 Avg, 60 Games, 38 Runs, 67 Hits, 9 HR, 28 RBI

JUSTIN MILLER (Fresno State) Bakersfield Blaze (Rangers, A): 1-2, 3.34 ERA, 24 Games, 4 Saves, 17 Walks, 37 K’s

BEAU MILLS (Fresno State) Akron Aeros (Indians, AA): .267 Avg, 134 Games, 59 Runs, 138 Hits, 14 HR, 83 RBI

GARY MORAN (Madera High School/FCC) Salem-Keizer Vlocanoes (Giants, A): 4-0, 3.04 ERA, 23 Games, 5 Walks, 16 K’s

NICK MORESI (Fresno State) Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros, AA): .223 Avg, 101 Games, 45 Runs, 71 Hits, 11 HR, 32 RBI

GARRETT OLSON (Buchanan High School) Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners, AAA): 3-5, 5.70 ERA, 29 Games, 34 Walks, 41 K’s

CURTIS PARTCH (Merced College) Sarasota Reds (Reds, A): 12-9, 4.49 ERA, 27 Games, 59 Walks, 104 K’s

ADAM PETTYJOHN (Fresno State) Buffalo Bisions (Mets, AAA): 4-11, 4.09 ERA, 27 Games, 31 Walks, 57 K’s

BEAU RIPORTELLA (Tulare Union/COS) Batavia Muckdogs (Cardianls, A): .191 Avg, 42 Games, 16 Runs, 22 Hits, 2 HR, 12 RBI

RICHIE ROBNETT (Fresno State) Trenton Thunder (Yankees, AA): .231 Avg, 86 Games, 28 Runs, 59 Hits, 4 HR, 21 RBI

DUSTY RYAN (Golden Valley High School/Merced College) Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers, AAA): .257 Avg, 63 Games, 25 Runs, 52 Hits, 10 HR, 35 RBI

KENT SAKAMOTO (Fresno State) Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates, A): .189 Avg, 72 Games, 34 Runs, 46 Hits, 7 HR, 29 RBI

JARRETT SANTOS (Corcoran High School) Jacksonville Suns (Marlins, AA): 8-8, 3.85 ERA, 40 Games, 17 Walks, 55 K’s

CHRIS SCHWINDEN (Fresno Pacific) St. Lucie Mets (Mets, A): 10-6, 3.34 ERA, 23 Games, 18 Walks, 92 K’s

JAMESON SMITH (Clovis West/FCC) Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins, A): .243 Avg, 49 Games, 18 Runs, 36 Hits, 1 HR, 13 RBI

KYLE SMITH (Buchanan High School) Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Indians, A): .242 Avg, 51 Games, 26 Runs, 46 Hits, 12 RBI

HOLDEN SPRAGUE (Bullard High School/Fresno State) Jamestown Jammers (Marlins, A): 1-3, 3.93 ERA, 15 Games, 9 Walks, 35 K’s

ERIC STOLP (Yosemite High School/Fresno Pacific) Augusta GreenJackets (Giants, A): 3-2, 4.17 ERA, 32 Games, 29 Walks, 24 K’s

STEVE SUSDORF (Fresno State) Reading Phillies (Phillies, AA): .324 Avg, 85 Games, 41 Runs, 99 Hits, 7 HR, 44 RBI

CHRISTIAN VITTERS (Fresno State) Stockton Ports (A’s, A): .216 Avg, 82 Games, 33 Runs, 66 Hits, 8 HR, 39 RBI

STEPHEN VOGT (Central Valley Christian High School) Charlotte Stone Crabs (Rays, A): .171 Avg, 10 Games, 6 Hits, 3 RBI

MARCUS WALDEN (Central High School/FCC) Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays, A): 2-1, 8.64 ERA, 4 Games, 10 Walks, 8 K’s

ERIK WETZEL (Fresno State) Asheville Tourists (Rockies, A): .300 Avg, 13 Games, 7 Runs, 12 Hits, 2 RBI

JAKE WILD (Kingsburg High School) High Desert Mavericks (Mariners, A): 6-8, 4.09 ERA, 34 Games, 37 Walks, 116 K’s

JUSTIN WILSON (Fresno State) Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates, A): 6-8, 4.50 ERA, 26 Games, 55 Walks, 94 K’s

JAKE WOODS (Kingsburg High School): Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies, AAA): 5-2, 3.46 ERA, 42 Games, 29 Walks, 53 K’s

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FORMER BULLDOG ELY SIGNS WITH KINGS

Fresno State’s all-time leading scorer hopes to revive his career in Sacramento.

By George Takata
VSP Senior Writer:

Melvin Ely (Fresno State) signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Sacramento Kings Monday, and is on the team’s training camp roster.

The 6′10″ 261 pound Ely, who played for Jerry Tarkanian at Fresno State, is averaging six points and three rebounds per game for his seven year NBA career. Sacramento is his fifth team going into his eighth NBA season.

Ely was the Clippers first round pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the first senior selected that year. He can play center or power forward, and could provide depth off the bench for the Kings if he makes the team. His most productive season was with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2005-2006, when he started 22 of the 57 games he played, averaging 10 points and five rebounds a game in 24 minutes per contest.

Ely is the only former Bulldog basketball player to win an NBA title (2007 with the Spurs). He was not on San Antonio’s playoff roster, however.

Check out Ely’s interview with the Sacramento Bee at Kings Media Day here (with a Fresno reference):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU9-NSDIeMY

For a look at Ely’s career stats, click here:
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/melvin_ely/career_stats.html

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FROM ALL ANGLERS

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

Key: 1=poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=excellent fishing

ROGER’S COMMENTS: I got an e-mail from a Kaweah angler who is very concerned about the destruction of that fishery by loads of anglers taking huge numbers of bass and crappie out of the tiny lake, who almost light up the lake at night like a city. It got me to thinking about other lake disasters we’ve seen as well as the general state of our Valley fishing and how we got to this point.

First of all, change is never easy, and it usually takes looking truthfully at the problem before we’re willing to do the hard things necessary to turn the ship around. The definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing, but expect a different result, which is what I believe we’re doing when the overall fishing is going downhill, but we’re doing nothing to address the reoccurring problems we face of enforcement, protection of a hard hit fishery, or the planting of fish to offset over harvesting.

VALLEY
New Melones Reservoir
Bass-2 Crappie-2 Catfish-3 Trout-3 Kokanee-1
Danny Layne of Fishin’ Dan’s Guide Service said despite a lack of fishing pressure, the trout bite is very good for trollers working the Spillway, and Shipwreck or Rose Islands with small shad-patterned spoons, ExCels, Vance’s Slim Fins, Triple Teasers, Shasta Tackle Matrix Paddle Tails or rolled shad from 40 to 60 feet for fish to 4-pounds. The surface temperatures are starting to cool, in spite of the triple-digit temperatures. Larry Williams of Murphys caught a limit or trout on crawlers/rainbow Power Bait while still-fishing from his boat upriver beyond the Parrotts Ferry Bridge. For browns, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods advised trolling Rapala Countdowns or Trophy Sticks in rainbow trout or shad patterns, or roll shad, 50-60 feet deep (in the same areas, but closer to structure). Joe Aksamit of Joefish Guide Service predicts the new Finnish trolling blades are going to work great for big browns, as well as kind salmon and stripers in other local lakes. Night fishing for trout under a submersible light has been great with the light at depths of 20 feet and crawlers or crawler/Power Bait combinations 10 to 20 feet under the lights. No change in the bass bite which is rated fair to slow by Lewis with a good top-water bite going on at dawn and dusk with Zara Spooks, buzz baits, or Pop-Rs. When the sun is up, crawdad or shad-colored Carolina-rigged 6″ worms, rip-baits, spinnerbaits, Zoom Baby Brush Hogs, or Senkos are working along the strong mud lines that are forming on the lake right now. Catfishing remains strong with anchovies, night crawlers or mackerel from the banks. William Heine of Arnold landed catfish of 9 and 4-pounds on frozen shad at Glory Hole Point. Dave Rose of Jackson caught a 5-pound, 10-ounce cat on shad while bank-fishing near Tuttletown Crappie and bluegill action is slow with the best action at night under lights at depths from 10 to 30 feet around submerged trees with live small or medium minnows, or crappie jigs with jigs in red/white, black/chartreuse or purple/white in Bear, Carson or Mormon Creeks. The lake dropped one foot to 959.37 in elevation and 47% of capacity. The Angels Cove Launch Ramp is closed with the Tuttletown on the low water ramp and Glory Hole still at the mid-ramp. The lowest ramp at Glory Hole is usable until the lake hits 860 vertical feet in elevation. Call 736-4333, Monte Smith (209) 581-4734, Danny Layne -Fishn’ Dan (209) 586 2383, Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Stripers-3 Catfish -2 Bass-2 Crappie-1
Ly Tu of Ly’s Fishing Goods in San Jose said the past weekend’s winds kept most boats off of the main lake, but there were limits of stripers in the 18 to 24-inch range at depths from 60 to 80 feet near the Trash Racks on bag anchovies or sardines. Anchovies have been difficult for area bait shops to obtain, so sardines have been a good alternative. There were limits of stripers to 32-inches landed on live grass shrimp by bank anglers willing to take the long walk to the water at Romero Visitor Center. Live grass shrimp has been very popular in the past couple of weeks. Throw nets or seine nets are illegal to use to harvest the shrimp-only a legal handled dip net is allowed. In the Forebay, the weeds are still heavy and keeping anglers constantly cleaning their terminal tackle. The area under the Bridge is still the location of choice for the occasional small striper. Catfish are found around Check 12 with sardines or mackerel. The lake has risen with 2233 acre-feet of Sacramento River water to 22% of capacity. Wind conditions: 800-805-4805. ; Call: Ly’s Fishing Goods (408) 629-9644; Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711.

Eastman Lake
Bass-3 Trout-1 Bluegill -2 Catfish-3 Crappie-2
Very few reports from anglers despite an improved bass bite for fish in the 2 to 4-pound class on baby Brush Hogs near the Dam or in the river channel. Catfish can be found with chicken livers or anchovies from dusk to midnight along the banks. The water is starting to show the effects of green algae. The lake is holding at 471.41 feet in elevation and 9% of capacity. CF22>Call: 689-3255.

Hensley Lake
Bass-2 Trout-1 Catfish-2 Bluegill-2
Not much change with anglers reporting an improved bass bite, most likely with bottom fishing techniques of plastics or jigs. The lake is holding at 477.02 feet in elevation and 21% of capacity. The swimming area is closed for the season due to a steep drop off caused by low lake levels. Both ramps are open, but the Buckridge – East side – of the lake closes at dark due to recent vandalism. Boaters using this launch need to be off of the lake by closing time. 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151.

McSwain Reservoir
Trout-3
McSwain Marina reported limits have been caught daily on blade/crawler combinations on the trolling pattern from Gilligan’s Island to the Dam and back at depths to 30 feet. A 7-pound rainbow was landed on a green Wedding Ring tipped with a crawler near Gilligan’s Island. Purple Passion or chartreuse Power Bait is working from the banks near E-Loop, the Handicapped Docks or the Brush Pile. The area of the lake near the Dam will be off-limits this weekend, including the Handicapped Docks, due to the Turlock Airplane Club’s annual event. A Calaveras Trout Farm plant is scheduled for the latter portion of this week. Call: (209) 378-2534.

Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs
Stripers-3 Catfish-2
The local aqueducts near Firebaugh remain steady for small stripers or catfish on bag anchovies. James Mize said striper rods and reels are starting to sell which is a sure sign of an improved bite in the canals or San Luis Reservoir. In the south Aqueduct, Pete Cormier reported the water flows have slowed down, and striper and catfish action is picking up with bait due to improved conditions with less debris on the water.

Millerton Lake /San Joaquin River
Bass-2 Stripers-1 Shad-1 Trout-2
James Mize of Valley Rod and Gun said you have to wade through a bunch of small fish in order to find keepers, but a 6.5 to 7-pound limit is possible with fish to 2-pounds. There is an occasional top water fish, but the most consistent action continues to be on the bottom with shad-patterned plastics or jigs from the banks to 30 feet along deep, sloping banks in the main lake. The 11th Annual Fundraiser for the Clovis Police Department Mounted Patrol is this coming weekend at the Fresno Ramp with a free tri-trip lunch for participants after the weighin. Stripers are very spread out, working the massive pin shad schools coming to the surface at dusk all over the lake. The lake is now holding at 539.66 feet in elevation and 68% of capacity due to over 314 acre-feet of inflow from upstream sources. A trout plant is scheduled this week on the lower San Joaquin River this week, and the river has slowed to very fishable conditions. Call: 225-1838, 292-3474.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass-2 Trout-2 King Salmon-1 Catfish-2
James Mize of Valley Rod and Gun reported an improved bass bite with reaction baits of buzz baits, spinner baits and top water lures such as Zara Spooks working early in the morning or in the evenings. Trout fishing is hit or miss with some good scores posted on Humdingers, ExCels or Needlefish in shad-patterns on a downrigger from 40 to 50 feet in the main lake from Deer Creek to Zebe Cove to the Dam. The trout are loading up on the shad and finding the schools is essential to finding the trout. The lake is holding at 759.41 feet in elevation to 20% of capacity. The lower Kings below the Dam has slowed down with minimal water releases from the dam. A trout plant is scheduled for this week, so action should be decent with Power Bait, spinners or inflated crawlers in the slow moving water. > Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474.

Lake Kaweah
Bass-3 Crappie-3 Trout-1 Catfish-2
Sierra Sporting Goods in Exeter reported excellent bass action in the low, stable water. Jigs, top water, plastics, and crankbaits are all working for bass to 7-pounds. Live crawdads continue to take larger bass which are unfortunately generally being kept. Crappie are biting small minnows or minijigs in the rocks or near the Houseboats as most of the trees are out of the water. Live crickets are working for both bluegill and catfish. Anglers are concerned the heavy pressure and harvest of the small lake is going to drastically affect it very soon. The reservoir dropped one-half vertical feet to 579.80 feet in elevation and 6% of capacity. Call:592-5922.

McClure Reservoir
Bass-3 Trout-2 King Salmon-2 Kokanee-1 Crappie-2 Catfish-3
Manny Basi of the Bait Barn said things are pretty much the same with shad-patterned plastics on the drop shot or ¼ oz. dart head, brown/purple jigs or Baby Brush Hogs in watermelon/red, shad-patterns or watermelon/purple working form the banks to 30 feet. Trout fishing continues to be slow with the best action under lights at night at the Houseboats. Catfishing remains strong with bag anchovies, live crawdads or minnows in Piney Creek or any major creek arm along sloping banks. The lake dropped three vertical feet this week to 759.59 feet and 44% of capacity. Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, Fishwrangler’s Guide Service (209) 604-8222, Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053.

Lake Don Pedro
Bass-2 Trout-3 Kokanee-1 King Salmon-2
Jay Graham of the Fresno Bass Club reported a tough bite during the past weekend’s tournament with only four limits boated out of 41 boats. The reaction bite is still non-existent with best action around the submerged trees holding fish. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford recommended shad-patterned plastics on the drop shot or dart head, as well as Baby Brush Hogs in watermelon/red fished from the banks to 30 feet in depth. Live medium and large minnows are also very effective. Danny Layne of Fishn’ Dan’s Guide Service reported continued good action for limits of trout to 3-pounds on shad-patterned Ex-Cel’s, Vance’s Slim Fin, Shasta Tackle Matrix Paddle Tails behind a Sling Blade at 2 MPH at Schoolhouse Point, Jenkins Hill, Laughlin Island and off of Copper Mountain at depths from 40 to 60 feet. A few king salmon have been found from 80 to 120 feet in depth on rolled shad. The water temperature is cooling at 76 degrees, and both Layne and Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing are predicting an outstanding fall. Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734, Danny Layne -Fishn’ Dan (209) 586-2383.

HIGH SIERRA
Bass Lake
Bass-2 Trout-2 Kokanee-2
Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service continues to search for the small pod of big fish that exists in the lake, and he anticipates the dropping water will push this group of large kokanee towards the Dam. Trout fishing is slow, but things will improve in the next month with the resumption of trout plants and cooling water temperatures. Now that the power boating season is all but over, there is renewed interest in bass fishing. Call: 642-3141, Todd Wittwer 288-8100, 642-3633, 642-3737; Mike Bieghy 642-3748.

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Kokanee-2 Trout-3 Smallmouth-3
Captain Jack Yandell reported continued outstanding trout fishing between Tunnel and Stevenson Creeks at depths to 20 feet on his Super Fat Bugs in perch or orange behind a Shaver Lake Dodger. Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters continues to boat limits of rainbows to 15-inchs on his Dick’s Trout Busters spinners tipped with a crawler behind a Captain Jack’s Shaver Lake Dodger. Dick Gomez of Young’s Sporting Goods also is enjoying great trout action on blade/crawler combinations. Saturday’s Kokanee Power Tournament was a struggle for most with the 15th place finisher weighing in a single fish. There were only 35 fish brought to the weighin with the majority of fish scraped off of the bottom at the ledge near Black Rock. The Shaver Lake Marina will remain open until approximately mid-October for boat rentals and other services. The lake rose to 70% of capacity with releases from Huntington. At Huntington, Dick Gomez of Young’s Sporting Goods reported the lake levels are on their way down, but limits of trout can be found on blade/crawler combinations, Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler or small spoons in the main channel. Kokanee fishing is all but over for the season after a fantastic year. Huntington has dropped to 87%, and the lake is expected to drop in the near future with boaters advised to remove their crafts from the Huntington marinas due to low water for dam maintenance.841-2522, 841-2740, Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435, Rancheria Marina 893-3234, Young’s Sporting Goods 841-8271, Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-5331.

Wishon/Courtright
Trout-2
Chuck Crane of Wishon RV Park said trout fishing at Wishon has really gotten slow with the best action early in the morning or from dusk to dark on night crawlers behind a large flasher at depths from 4 to 7 colors. He said, “You have to work hard to get a limit”. Speedy Shiners continue to pick up a fish or two. Shore fishing is fair at Short Hair Creek or the Helms Creek Parking Lot with orange Power Bait. Courtright has also slowed down with the lake dropping and getting low. Blade/crawler combinations, Thomas Buoyants or Needlefish in various colors are working at 4 to 6 colors. Shore fishing is slow with the best action at the Dam on inflated crawlers or Power Bait. There is minimal pressure at Courtright. Dinky Creek isn’t scheduled for additional plants in the coming weeks, so the few remaining fish are holding in the few local pools with crickets, salmon eggs or night crawlers. Crane said there was only a pair of bucks brought in for pictures over the weekend despite heavy hunter interest. Call Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Brown Trout-2 Trout-3
Dick Gomez of Young’s Sporting Goods touts the Portal Forebay as a great location for fly fishermen on tubes working the surface. There was little fishing interest at the Kaiser Pass lakes due to increased vehicle traffic with the deer opener. Vermilion Valley Resort is holding a fall fishing special with 20% off for a three-night package Sundays through Wednesdays through October 7th. Edison is holding at 52% with the ramp in operation, Florence has dropped again to just 3% with Mammoth Pool dropping to 22%. Call: 259-4000.

OCEAN
San Francisco Bay
Halibut-3 Stripers-3 Rockfish- 3 Leopard Shark-2 Sturgeon-2
Rockfishing remains a solid option up the Marin coast or at the Farallon Islands. This week’s great weather conditions should make for an easy run to the Islands. Emeryville Sport Fishing sent out six boats to the Farallons or up the Marin coast on Saturday for 840 rockfish for 95 anglers, plus 25 lings to 12-pounds, 9 halibut to 13-pounds and a lonely 8-pound striper. Inside the bay, halibut fishing is still happening with party boats averaging a fish or more per rod. Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker stayed close to the harbor on Saturday, putting in 30 fish for 27 anglers with 8 stripers to 16-pounds included in this total. He said the majority of bass were in the 6 to 8-poun d range, but there were two or three pushing 16-pounds. There were also halibut to 16-pounds on board. James Smith on the California Dawn put in over a fish a rod on Saturday with 21 halibut to 14-pounds and 10 stripers for 25 anglers working similar areas in the Berkeley Flats. The striper counts have moved up in the past couple of days, perhaps due to the increased water movement. James took out 12 anglers on Sunday in the Berkeley Flats for over a fish a rod at 12 halibut to 10-pounds and 5 stripers to 8-pounds.
John Akina at Oyster Point Bait, Tackle and Deli said there was a 30-inch halibut taken off of the pier on Sunday morning with another large fish lost. The white sea bass action at the Alameda Rockwall has slowed down, most likely to the boat pressure pushing off the fish during the weekend. Keith Fraser of Loch Lomond Bait reported solid halibut action with Jim Cox on the Touch of Gray boated 5 halibut, 2 leopard shark and a 27-pound white sea bass on Saturday, and he had 4 halibut and another white sea bass on Sunday morning. The Predator out of Loch Lomond picked up 8 limits of stripers on mudsuckers or bullheads on Saturday near Buoy 4, which is within 10 minutes of the harbor. Bait fishing along the China Camp shoreline with bullheads remains excellent. Chris Seabourne at C Biscuits in Vallejo reported continued good striper action up the Napa River at the Dumps, Meadows, White Slough, Duxman Slough and South Slough with bullheads.

Monterey
Rockfish-3 Albacore-2
Todd Arcaleo of Chris’s Landing in Monterey said they had a local rockfishing out today for 10 limits. They were able to jig up fresh squid which they used to land the rockfish. They went to Point Sur yesterday for limits of quality rockfish. With this week’s good weather forecast, and the tuna grounds within reach, they plan on getting some live bait together for an albacore trip. Private boats out of Monterey reported took up to 26 fish 61 degree at 36/53 and 122/54 or from 36/54 to 122/49. The ride home was on the bumpy side. With the weather coming down, expect to see some great scores this week.Ly Tu reported fair fishing for small perch and the occasional striped bass off of the Santa Cruz County beaches. Call (831) 375-5951, Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173, usafishing.com.

San Luis Obispo
Rock Cod -3 Albacore-3
The albacore have arrived and Virg’s will be running trips daily departing at 11:00 p.m. and returning between 7 and 8 on the following evening for $235/angler. The Princess put in 66 longfins and a pair of skipjack on Saturday. An earlier crew trip on the Fiesta resulted in 51 albacore to 23-pounds near the Donut with half the fish on live bait. Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay reported 352 anglers landed 185 albacore to 28-pounds, 1 42-pound bluefin tuna, 2 skipjacks, 11 ling cod to 8-pounds, 429 vermilion, 1874 assorted rockfish, 58 coppers, 13 boccaccio and 22 bolina. Top local anglers were Sal Ortiz of Porterville and William Bolincue of Bakersfield with 8-pound lings, and Joe Newsome of Porterville with a 6-pound vermilion. Patriot Sport Fishing in Avila Beach is getting albacore fever with their first trip scheduled this coming Sunday, September 27th. They continue to average from one-half to full limits of assorted rockfish and bolina with up to 12 ling cod to 19.5-pounds during the current week. There were a total of 29 lings landed this week. Their annual Ling Cod Contest runs from August 15th through November 15th with a $3000.00 top prize. Patriot has given out a total of 78 free trips this season for releasing a 10-pound plus ling cod. Patriot Sport Fishing Call Virg’s Landing, (805)772-1 222, (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805)595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214.

OTHERS
Lake Nacimiento/San Antonio/Santa Margarita/Lopez
Bass-3 Stripers-2 Catfish-2
Matt Short at Jim’s Pro Bass and Tackle in Paso Robles said Lopez has been the top area lake with top water action in the morning, and buzzbaits working throughout the day. Quality bass to 6-pounds have been common with some large limits taken. Santa Margarita is full of weeds, and the frog bite hasn’t materialized this year. Both lakes are dropping. San Antonio has dropped to the 3rd Ramp, and despite the plentiful bait fish, the shad haven’t been seen boiling on the surface. Shad are found in the Marina and back in Bee Rock Cove near the Dam. Catfishing has been a constant at this lake. At Nacimiento, spinnerbait or plastics in shallow water have been the top techniques with the best action in the afternoons. San Antonio has held at 721.50 feet in elevation and 32% of capacity with Nacimiento dropping two vertical feet to 709.15 feet and 13% of capacity. Call: (805) 238-1056 ext. 3, (805) 472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com (805) 466-6557.

Delta/Stockton
Bass- 2 Stripers-3 Sturgeon-2
There have been some large stripers moving into the Delta, particularly on this week’s big incoming tide. B and S Bait at McAvoy’s Harbor at Bay Point reported fish of 40, 38, 36, 32 and multiple linesides in the 20’s at the Firing Line or straight out from the harbor in the main Sacramento River on bullheads or fresh shad.
Jay Sorensen of Jolly Jay’s Guide Service was soaking butterflied shad doubled on an 8/0 hook on the incoming tide on September 18th with Richard Rogers of Fresno for a huge limit of stripers at 35 and 22-pounds. There are still reports of excellent striper fishing on the small bullheads rigged in the tail with a circle hook for fish to 3 to 9-pounds at Seal Island and the Middle Grounds. Allison Shawnego at Hap’s Bait in Rio Vista said bait fishing has been tops for stripers off of Decker Island or in Steamboat Slough due to the larger tides. The troll bite has slowed temporarily with the larger tide movement. The annual seminar for the Rio Vista Striped Bass Derby is this coming Saturday, September 26th at Hap’s. The schedule is as follows: 9:00 – Sturgeon Fishing with Barry Canevero, 10:30 – Clyde Wands, Shallow water trolling for stripers/smallmouth bass12:00 – Bait fishing for stripers on balance beams by Barry Canevero, 1:30 – Mark Wilson of Mark Wilson’s Sport Fishing – striper trolling, 3:00 – Captain’s Round Table. Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported the largemouth bite is mediocre to fair with his clients landing a limit at 21-pounds on Monday, including fish to 6-pounds. The bread and butter continue to be the Zappu head on a Berkley Power Worm, Chigger Craws or Persuader E-chip jigs worked slowly on the outside weed lines at high tide. The higher tides have allowed the bass to move up into the rip rap and weeds, and there have been some quality fish landed on top water lures of the IMA Rumba or Big Stick. There are large numbers of smaller fish hitting the lures. The stripers on the San Joaquin have scattered with the larger tides, hot water temperatures and no wind early in the week.
Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Kevin Yost, Lucky Strike Fishing (707) 301-8050, Mark Wilson Sport Fishing (916) 682-1630, Fin Addict Sport Fishing (209) 367-4665, Jolly Jay’s Guide Service (209) 478-6645.

Tournament Results

Don Pedro – Fresno Bass Club- September 19th – 1st: Scott Smith – 9.49-pounds (Big Fish – 2.88); 2nd – Ken Eddy – 7.79; 3rd – Cliff Woods – 7.31.

Upcoming

October 3rd: Delta/Brannan Island – Central Valley Anglers Fall Striper Shootout – Information:
(209) 369-0204.
Delta – Crockett Striped Bass Club
Delta/B and W Resort – Fresno Bass Club
McClure – Sierra Bass Club
Don Pedro – Future Pro Tour
Kaweah – Visalia Bass Club
Folsom – Kings River Bass Club
Upper Nacimiento River – Western Outdoor News

October 9-11: Rio Vista Bass Derby – information: bassfestival.com or (707) 374-2700.
October 18th: Don Pedro – Jig’s Bait and Tackle – info jigstackle@aol.com.

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CATCHING UP WITH ALAN HARPER

The former Fresno State defensive lineman (1998-2001) was a three-time All-WAC selection, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year with the Bulldogs in 2001, and a fourth round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2002. Harper won an Arena League Championship with the San Jose Sabercats with his former Bulldog teammate Rodney Wright in 2007. VSP’s George Takata caught up with Harper to find out what he’s up to these days.

GEORGE TAKATA: What are you doing now?
ALAN HARPER: Right now, I am living in the Bay Area (San Jose) enjoying life. This is the first time in 15 years that I have not played football, so I’m learning how to be a regular person. Ha Ha!

GT: How did it feel to win an arena title with San Jose with Rodney Wright?
AH: Winning the Arena Bowl was great. For most of my football career I’ve come close to winning a title and lost, so winning the big game was a great accomplishment.

GT: How would you describe your NFL experience?
AH: To be honest, it was great because I made a lot of money. But it was very stressful all the time. Their wasn’t a day nor hour where I felt like I had job security. And I played for four years. It’s probably why I have grey hairs now!

GT: What is your fondest memory of playing for Fresno State?
AH: My fondest memory has to be. suiting up and walking down the ramp for the first time. I knew my life had changed, and it changed for the better.

GT: Do you keep in touch with your old teammates?
AH: Yes. I talk to almost all of my teammates from the 2001 team, thanks to facebook! Vernon Fox and Cameron Worrell to name a couple.

GT: Do you get frustrated as a defensive lineman with all these rules to keep quarterbacks safe?
AH: No. You can’t win without a good quarterback so you need to protect them. But I may have a different answer for you if I was still playing!

GT: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
AH: In ten years, If everything goes as planned, I well be living in Brazil.

GT: Was David Carr the best quarterback you ever played with?
AH: David Carr was a good quarterback, but I have been fortunate to play with some great ones like Vinny Testaverde and Chad Pennington. I’d have to say Chad Pennington was the best.

GT: What are your thoughts of Dan Brown? (the former Fresno State defensive coordinator who passed away this summer of brain cancer.)
AH: Dan Brown was the reason I came to Fresno State. He mentored and helped me to become a great football player and man. It hurts to think about it. I miss him a lot.

GT: Three people you would love to have dinner with are?
AH: Good question! Halle Berry, Ivete Sangalo (a famous Latin and Grammy award winning singer from Brazil), and President Obama.

THIS AND THAT: Allocated by the Jets to NFL Europe and played for the Scottish Claymores in 2004 where he posted 36 tackles and 3.0 sacks starting all 10 games…Played in 11 games with the Jets in 2004 recording 6 tackles…Saw action in both playoff games totaling 3 tackles… started 45 of the 50 games he played at Fresno State… Moved into the starting lineup early his freshman year and totaled 233 tackles and 21.0 sacks in his Bulldog career…Was named to the Lombardi and Outland Award watch list as a senior…Defensive Player of the Year and All-WAC first-team selection in 2001 after leading the league with 12.0 sacks…First-team all-conference as both a sophomore and junior…Finished his sophomore season with 80 tackles and 5.0 sacks…Played in every game as a freshman and posted 39 tackles for the season… Single… Just turned 30 years old September 6th.

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CORTEZ WINS; CLEBER JIU-JITSU FIGHTERS WIN QUICK

A quick night at the Eagle Mountain Casino in a debut-filled fight card.

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist

Porterville, Calif. – The Warrior’s Cage hit the Eagle Mountain Casino for their fifth event, “Terminators.”

Only two of the 11 fights went their entire allotted time.

The main event featured Warriors Cage veteran B.J. Lacy taking on Cleber Jiu-jitsu fighter, Felipe Fogolin.

Fogolin (2-0) scored a takedown early. While on the ground, Fogolin pulled a leg lock. Lacy (12-11) fought it off as long as he could, but Fogolin kept the hold, tapping Lacy at 1:30 in the first round.

The other Cleber Jiu-jitsu fighter on the card was the leader, Cleber Luciano. He took on Tony Llamas from the Garage Fight Team.

Llamas (8-9) came out striking, but Luciano (4-3) wanted no part of it, as he went for the takedown. After gaining the takedown, Luciano would take Llamas’ back and sink in the rear naked choke.

Luciano wins by submission at :54 seconds in the first round.

Billy Terry had a rough fight as he took on Warriors Cage vet, Sergio Cortez (6-5).

Cortez dominated on the feet and on the ground. In the second round, Sergio finished the fight by technical knockout, using ground and pound at 1:21.

“I didn’t know what to expect from him. I stayed calm and relaxed,” said Cortez. “I was glad I got the win.”

In the only unanimous decision of the evening, David Sierra (1-0) used effective wrestling and jiu-jitsu to oppose his will on Anthony Gonzales (0-1) and get the win.

Marcus Bair wins by verbal submission in his debut over Brandon Mullinik (0-1) in the first round at 1:40. Mullinik turned in another lackluster showing in the cage.

Draws are rare in Mixed Martial Arts, but there was one on this card.

Porterville’s Danile Boelter fought Lemoore’s Travis Backaus in a battle between two fighters making their debuts. In the first round, both fighters were looking for the quick win either by knockout or submission. Both fighters landed solid punches but couldn’t put the other away in either round.

The two round-three minute fight ended in a draw, with both fighters winning a round apiece.

“I felt real gassed out like I couldn’t do anything in the second round. I kind of gave up” said Boelter.

“It could have went either way,” said Backaus. “I think I had more in my tank than he did.”

Jared Davis Marcus gets the win and the fastest fight of the night as he beats Tule River Fight Team’s Scott Mears (0-1). By technical knockout from ground and pound in :25 seconds in the first round.

Porterville’s TJ Williams (1-1) loses to Victor Torrez (debut) in a first round TKO by way of ground and pound.

Lindsey’s John Araujo (debut) submits Porterville’s Estevan Ceballos in under a minute by arm triangle in the first round.

Team Buhawe’s Rafael Alvarado (0-1) makes quick work of Team Kajupit’s Julio Medragon (debut) winning by kimura at 1:19 in the first round.

Starting the night of first round fights, Tule River Fight Team member Dakota Bell wins his debut over another debuting fighter, Leonard Villareal in :27 seconds by technical knockout.

“I’ve been training for six years,” said Bell. “After I landed my first kick, I saw that he was wounded and I went in for the kill.”

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BULLDOGS TAKE THEIR TIME, STILL LOSE TO #14 BEARCATS

Fresno State keeps Cincinnati’s high octane offense off the field but still loses 28-20.

From the Associated Press, gobulldogs.com, and gobearcats.com:

The Fresno State football team wanted to keep one of the nations leading offenses off the field. The strategy nearly was successful as the Fresno State offense was on the football field for 43:42 compared to 16:18 for No. 14 Cincinnati (4-0). Despite the time of possession difference the Bearcats still pulled out a 28-20 victory on Saturday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.

Ryan Mathews carried the ball a career-high 38 times for 145 yards, topping the 100-yard mark for the fourth straight game. He was the Bowl Subdivision’s leading rusher coming in, averaging 149 yards per game. His ability to find holes behind 270-pound fullback Reynard Camp kept Cincinnati on the defensive all game.

Fresno State had the fourth-best running game in the nation, and showed it wouldn’t be pushed around by churning out a 17-play drive that took more than eight minutes in the second quarter. Ryan Colburn’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Hamler – uncovered in the middle of the field – cut it to 21-17 with 7 seconds left before halftime.

The Bulldogs had 443 yards of total offense to 357 for Cincinnati. Fresno State grounded out 290 yards on the ground. Colburn passed for 153 yards, one touchdown and had one interception.

The Bulldogs had a chance to take the lead in the third quarter as they had the ball on the Cincinnati six-yard line but on a fourth-and-two from the Bearcat six-yardline, quarterback Ryan Colburn was intercepted, ending a 14 play. 59 yard and 7:34 drive.

Cincinnati’s offense had the ball for only one minute in the third quarter – a three-and-out drive that put the whole burden on the defense. Linebacker Craig Carey’s first career interception on Fresno State’s pivotal fourth-down pass helped the Bearcats improve to 25-0 under coach Brian Kelly when they open the fourth quarter with a lead.

Mardy Gilyard also caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in another career day. The senior receiver and returner had nine catches for a career-best 177 yards, giving him eight touchdowns in four games.

The Bearcats’ no-huddle offense needed only 2:12, 1:43, 2:53 and 1:45 to zip down the field for its touchdowns, giving the defense little rest. The game was in the hands of that tired crew after Fresno State got the ball back at its 7-yard line following a punt with 3:55 to go.

Fresno State had one last shot to tie the game as they drove to the Cincinnati 38-yard line thanks to a Lonyae Miller 33-yard run. But the hopes for an upset victory ended when Colburn’s fourth-down pass from the Cincinnati 37 was broken up by safety Aaron Webster with 39 seconds left, clinching it.

POSTGAME NOTES AND QUOTES

Bulldogs Head Coach Pat Hill: “This was a tough loss. We came in here with a good game plan and for the most part were pretty successful at doing what we wanted. We kept their offense off the field. They are a heck of a team and really are explosive on offense. We gave up a few big plays, but for the most part we did a good job. To hold a team like that to 28 points at home and 350 total yards is a good effort by our defense.”

“We had our chances like we have the last two games. I feel so bad for the guys in that locker room. They have worked hard and played hard and deserve to have some success.”

“This has been a tough stretch. Nobody else has played two games on the east coast, and we are playing against some really good teams. The break comes at a good time for us. We can get some rest and get ready for another tough road trip to Hawaii.”

On considering kicking a field goal on their final fourth down instead: “Whether to kick a field goal or not was a big thought at the moment, but we thought we could score on fourth and two and take the lead. There are no guarantees you’re going to get the ball back down there, and I’d already gone for it on fourth and one on three other occasions. That was a long fourth and two, but we thought we had a play. I think when we look at the film, we’ll have a guy running right up the shoot, and we just didn’t hit him.”

On RB Ryan Mathews: “He’s the leading rusher in the nation, so we’re going to work him. We’ve got a real good running back at Fresno State, so don’t miss out on that fact, and he hasn’t been playing against I-AA teams. We’re going to run him, and he’s our horse. In this game, we needed to run the ball a lot more than pass it. You’ve got to run the ball against a seven-man front, and we did. It’s hard to throw against two-deep, so we ran the ball, it played right into our hands, they couldn’t stop the run, and we controlled the clock.”

Cincinnati Head Coach Brian Kelly: “Fresno State is a really good football team. They conducted the game exactly the way they wanted. We had 39 snaps going into the fourth quarter. I thought it was unfortunate for us we got one possession in the fourth quarter to close out the game. We didn’t manage it well. It was a tough physical football game. We knew that coming in. I think Pat Hill and Fresno State are a good team, and I’m glad they aren’t in the BIG EAST. I’m really happy with the win. It makes us 25-0 going into the fourth quarter with a lead. It says a little but about our resolve and the way our kids play.”

On Making In-Game Adjustments: “The margin of error was shrinking. I had really had to question if we had not held them to a field goal, we may have had to change the way we played defense. We doubled up on the offense, and we started a wide receiver at corner back. We are really banged up at the back end of our defense. We play equal numbers in the box. I knew it was going to be a grind. I was hoping to get out early. Every time we touched the ball, we knew we would have to do something because there wasn’t much margin of error.”

On Ryan Mathews: “He ranks up with some of the players in the NFL. He has the explosiveness of LeSean McCoy. To play the schedule they play. That is a Top 25 football team. He is a pretty exceptional football player. If he was on our football team, you wouldn’t be hearing a lot about Mardy Gilyard.”

On the defensive performance: “We did it the way we wanted them to play. It is a long season, and you have to pick your spots. You have to keep putting W’s on the board. The storyline, if we lose this football game, it would be because we gave up big plays. I was not going to give up big plays to Fresno State.”

BULLDOG NOTES:

The Dogs made their 27th appearance in a BCS Conference stadium, second in as many years in a Big East venue.

Ryan Mathew’s second quarter rushing touchdown was his 25th in his brilliant career, which ties Dale Messer for 10th all-time in Bulldog history. Mathews wears No. 21, which is the same number Messer wore and was retired follow his career in 1960. After meeting Mathews, he granted him permission to wear the number.

Mathews surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in his career. He has 2,081 yards for his career.

Mathews had a career-high 38 carries in the game, one shy of the school record. He entered the game leading the NCAA in rushing yards, 149.0 yards per game. After the Cincinnati game, he has 592 yards for an average of 148.0 and 6.8 yards per carry.

Jamel Hamler scored his first career touchdown with a 21-yard reception from Ryan Colburn with 7 seconds remaining in the second quarter. That capped a 17-play drive of 80-yards and lasted 8:48. It was the longest scoring drive of the season as far as number of plays and time consumed. He finished with a career-high 47 yards on four catches.

The Dogs wore solid red uniforms on the road for the first time in the Pat Hill era, as Cincinnati as the home team had the option and chose to wear all white uniforms to coincide with the WHITEOUT at Nippert Stadium.

Sophomore kicker Kevin Goessling made a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the seventh of his career of 40-yards or more. It was his second-longest in his short career. He made a school-record 58-yard kick against Utah State as a freshman. He made two field goals in the game and has made five of six this season, and 12 of his last 14 dating back to the 2008 season.

The Bulldogs held possession of the ball today for 43:42 in today’s game, the first time they had a 40-plus minute game since beating Kansas State (Nov. 24, 2007).

The Dogs are now 6-19 against Top 25-ranked teams this decade, having played 18 of those games on the road.

The Dogs three losses this season are to teams that are a combined 11-0, with two ranked in the Top 15 nationally.

The Dogs have played nationally-ranked teams in back to back game for the first time since 2007.

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