Fresno State DBs are passing on-field tests as coach praises ‘awesome’ camp competition

Fresno State the past two fall camp practices has worked its wideouts and defensive backs in one-on-one matchups in the red zone, inside the 5-yard line one day and inside the 20 the next.

There have been wins and losses on both sides, but on Saturday sophomore cornerback Cale Sanders dominated his reps, making two big-time interceptions on contested plays in the corner of the end zone. There was a brief delay on the field in celebrating the first one. No one, apparently, was quite sure how he had pulled off the play.

“The competition on the practice field is awesome,” defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. “We’ve had some wins. We’ve had some losses. We’ve done a good job in the red zone, where we constrict the field. That makes it a little easier for the DBs in the sense you don’t have the deep throws, but the quick routes and the speed of the cuts that our guys make make it really challenging. Our technique is critical down there and our guys have really bought into the drill work we’ve done down in the red zone and it’s showing off on the tape.

“It’s funny because we finished our meetings last night and I was ready to let them go, and they wanted to stay and watch the one-on-ones. During training camp, a lot of places I’ve been, as soon as that meeting is over guys are sprinting toward the door. Our guys wanted to stay and watch themselves and critique themselves.”

Fresno State last season allowed opponents to complete on 35.4% of their passes in the red zone, which led the Mountain West Conference by a sizable margin. Air Force was second at 40%, and the Bulldogs defended 18 more red zone passes during the year than the Falcons.

Leaner and meaner

Senior Tyrone Sampson Jr. has had a few opportunities to secure a spot in the Bulldogs’ offensive line rotation, but the former 4-star recruit in the 2018 recruiting class is putting together the pieces this fall.

Sampson has played primarily as a center, but has lined up with the No. 1 offense at right and left guard in fall camp. A big piece to that equation has been nutrition, and his weight.

“Tyrone has changed his body,” offensive line coach Saga Tuitele said. “Tyrone has done a great job. Heck, he inspired me. But he has changed his body. He’s in good shape and he’s working his tail off.”

Sampson said his diet had resembled that of a typical college student. But most aren’t 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, and don’t spend hours in a day on the practice field or in the weight room.

“That process has been going on since about January, when we came back,” he said. “I got on a plan with (assistant athletics director for sports performance Andy Ward). He explained to me what I should be eating and what might not be so good to eat. The things that I should be eating really shook things up. I started seeing little changes in my body here and there. I’m trying to stay consistent with it.

“It definitely feels different. I feel like I can go more full speed. I can last longer on drives. I just feel better moving play to play, moving in space. I feel like I’m moving a lot better than I was last year.”

A chance to make an impression

Fresno State at this point is in the race to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game, as the highest ranked champion from a Group of Five conference. It was picked to win the West Division in the Mountain West Conference, and the Mountain Division is as wide open as it ever has been.

There’s still Houston, Cincinnati and Central Florida from the American Athletic Conference out there, and a few other contenders. But which Group of Five has the best opportunity, or most opportunities, to post a defining victory over a Power Five or ranked team?

The Bulldogs, who get Oregon State at home and play at USC, definitely will get their chances. Here’s a look at those opportunities …

Appalachain State (10-4 in 2021)

• at Texas A&M

• at Coastal Carolina

Cincinnati (13-1)

• at Arkansas

• Indiana

• at UCF

Coastal Carolina (11-2)

• Appalachian State

• at Virginia

Fresno State (10-3)

• Oregon State

• at USC

• at Boise State

• San Diego State

Houston (12-2)

• at Texas-San Antonio

• at Texas Tech

• Kansas

San Diego State (12-2)

• Arizona

• at Utah

• at Boise State

• at Fresno State

Texas-San Antonio (12-2)

• Houston

• at Texas

UCF (9-4)

• Louisville

• Georgia Tech

• Cincinnati

Utah State (11-3)

• at Alabama

• at BYU

• Air Force

• at Boise State

Boise State will have a lot of opportunities - the Broncos play at Oregon State, get San Diego State, Fresno State, BYU and Utah State at home and play at Air Force. But they also are coming off a 7-5 season.