The kickoff of a new millennium for Fresno State football is coming. As each day passes, the Bulldogs’ hunger for success, big-time wins, and a WAC championship is bursting. At a time in August where most Fresnans can only think about keeping cool in the friendly confines of their homes, Pat Hill’s Bulldogs are out in the sweltering heat with a common goal in mind. The Bulldogs are ready and willing to do everything in their power to make their football team a feared competitor. This Bulldog football team will have a challenge unlike any other in the history of Fresno State football. Coming off an 8-5 season that ended in a one-point heartbreaking loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Bulldogs must open the 2000 season with road games at Ohio State and UCLA before facing Cal at home. This is possibly the most difficult non-conference schedule in Fresno State history coming one year after the Bulldogs earned their first winning season since 1993. Ohio State and UCLA won’t have it easy against the Bulldogs, who would like nothing more than to win all three of the aforementioned games. Returning for the Bulldogs will be a receiving core that rivals the best in the nation in All-WAC selections Rodney Wright (senior) and Charles Smith (junior). The biggest question for the team may be how 6’3’’ 220 lb. quarterback David Carr responds to the tough early-season schedule. Carr replaces Billy Volek after redshirting last season to save a year of eligibility. Carr spent his redshirt season in the press box with a headset on as the plays were called. The junior quarterback has big shoes to fill, but has showed flashes of brilliance in workouts. He is expected to be better at throwing the deep pass than Volek was, which should strike fear into opposing defenses who will try to contain Wright and Smith. Other All-WAC returnees are senior linebackers Tim Skipper and Orlando Huff, senior free safety Anthony Limbrick, and junior defensive tackle Alan Harper. Along with senior Giachino Chiaramonte, Huff and Skipper add up to make possibly the best group of linebackers in the WAC. Junior running back Paris Gaines returns from a solid sophomore season in which he compiled 693 yards in 151 carries and picked up 312 yards receiving. Sophomore running back Derrick Ward also returns after earning his way back onto the team after leaving in the offseason. His 875 yards rushing led the Bulldogs. He scored seven touchdowns and averaged 6 yards per carry. Akka-Ar Moses will see playing time at fullback. The running backs should flourish behind a deep and talented offensive line. Left guard Mike Stovall (6’2’’ 295 lbs.) may be the smallest of the starters. Left tackle Kevin Jordan (6’5’’ 305 lbs.), center Rodney Michael (6’4’’ 300 lbs.), right guard Russ Harding (6’2’’ 300 lbs.), and right tackle Ahmad Bhatti (6’4’’ 320 lbs.) will fill out the line. Some key reserves will be Joe Schey (6’6’’ 325 lbs.) and Mike Painchaud (6’5’’ 305 lbs.). Junior tight end Billy Jack Pierce takes the starting role this season after last season’s 16 receptions for 100 yards and four touchdowns. Senior defensive end Justin Johnson (6’3’’ 220 lbs.), Thabiti Lockhart (6’3’’ 290 lbs.), and Jason Stewart (6’1’’ 280 lbs.) will combine with Harper to make one of the WAC’s premier defensive lines. Johnson picked up six sacks last season and Lockhart had two. Converted running back Marcellus Armstrong (sophomore) will fight for a starting spot at cornerback along with returnee Dante Marsh (senior), senior Lawrence Deck, and junior Tierre Sams. Junior Vernon Fox will play strong safety with Limbrick at the free safety spot. Both Marsh and Limbrick had three interceptions in 1999. Freshman Brett Visintainer replaces Jeff Hanna at kicker after deciding to attend Fresno State at the last minute. Sophomore Jason Simpson will take over the punting duties. The Bulldog coaching staff stresses the importance of the classroom above all. Assistant coach Fred Baxter implemented the Academic Gameplan at Fresno State, and it has worked wonders for the football program. The team’s overall GPA is on the rise with the program that shows players how to use their time more wisely. With a strong recruiting class, a variety of star returnees and impact players, and a prospect taking over at quarterback, Fresno State could have one of the strongest WAC teams for years to come. The Bulldogs are on the rise and trying to receive national recognition by knocking off the elite teams of college football. Hill has the team headed back to where it was in the early ‘90’s under Jim Sweeney. If the 2000 Bulldogs mesh well, there will be one simple message for the rest of the WAC: Beware ofDogs.