FRESNO STATE
Fresno State gets a new 'Carr'

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Derek Carr (No. 4) will lead the Bulldogs into the 2011 season. Photo: Brianna Campbell

Fresno State has never seen anything quite like this. It has never seen a player who has had so much hype and expectations put on him before he has even taken a snap on the football field. It has never had a player whom many around the program and the Central Valley are dubbing "the chosen one." Well, that's exactly redshirt sophomore quarterback Derek Carr's predicament. He's going into his college career with the hopes of Fresno State fans riding on his right shoulder.

Ten years ago Derek's older brother David took this town on the ride of a lifetime that many in the valley will never forget and have been hoping to relive since he left as the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NFL draft. In 2001, David led the Bulldogs to wins over Oregon State, Colorado and Wisconsin. Carr led the team to their highest ranking ever, No. 8 in the nation, and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Since then fans have been looking for another ride to the top. The Bulldogs have had many eight- and nine-win seasons; they've had ups such as victories over UCLA, Cincinnati and Illinois; they hung tough with the mighty USC Trojans. They've seen a running back take the city by storm and proceed to an NFL career. Yet the national sports scene seems to have relegated Fresno State to also-ran status.

Bulldogs fans hope that all changes in 2011 when Derek Carr takes the field with the hopes of a town on his shoulders. With Boise State now a member of the Mountain West Conference, the Bulldogs should be in prime position to win the WAC title this season.

Fresno State needs more than just Carr to be a great team this season. It will need to fill holes on the defensive line with the departures of Chris Carter, Cornell Banks and Chris Lewis, who played well last year. Look for freshman defensive lineman Donavan Lewis to make an impact on defense and junior linebacker Travis Brown to continue his stellar play.

Offensively, Fresno State will have a high-powered attack. Carr has every receiver but one coming back from last season and will have three running backs who are all juniors and played a huge role on the team last year. The Bulldogs will need to fill holes on the offensive line with center Joe Bernardi and offensive lineman Andrew Jackson graduating.

The 2011 schedule could present some daunting challenges for Carr, though. Four out of the first five games are against tough nonconference opponents: Sept. 3 against Cal (in San Francisco), Sept 10 at Nebraska, an Oct. 1 home game against Mississippi and an Oct 8 home game against Boise State. The team will also play San Diego State in the regular-season finale Dec 3, in San Diego.

The talk of Carr's skills is what makes people believe that he could be the one to lead Fresno State back to national recognition as giant killers, BCS busters and conference champions. Bulldog fans see him as the player who could finally put the team over the top and beat Boise State. That's the Carr ride Bulldogs fans want to take.