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Boring classes are good for you

The first day of class is a boring, repetitive orientation. Every class has them – don’t cheat, don’t miss class, study for your tests.

A lot of classes themselves are boring, repetitive routines – show up, try to take notes and not to sleep during the lecture. Then you leave after an hour –or two or three – just to come back the next period and do the same.

We’ve all had our share of tiring, repetitive orientations. Sometimes, they’re job training in various degrees of useless.

Imagine my glee when I heard I had a week full of it for my student-teaching.

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The Collegian asked students what they think “Chick-fil-A” is.

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VIDEO: Welcome Week

Welcome Week is intended to help students learn about services available on campus.

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Fresno State football: Week 1 preview

Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Sacramento State Hornets

Gameday: Saturday 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium

Radio: KMJ 580 AM and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM

Pre-game Show: ESPN 1430 AM

Bulldogs Three Keys to Victory:

1)Forget about last season – water under the bridge. The ‘Dogs need to focus on the task at hand: beating Sacramento State.

2)Tom Brandstater needs to establish the Bulldogs passing game. With an experienced offensive line protecting him, Brandstater needs to get his young receivers and tight end Bear Pascoe involved in the offense early.

3)Do not play down to the Division I-AA level. The Bulldogs are a Division I-A team and need to play like that. That doesn’t mean be overconfident, instead play high-quality football for four quarters.

In The Hornets’ Nest…

2006 Record: 4-7, 4-4 Big Sky (5th)
Head Coach: Marshall Sperbeck (1st Season)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Key Returners: S Brent Webber, WR Torrell Baker, LB Cyrus Mulitalo
Series Record: Fresno State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 1972 – Fresno State won 24-7 in Sacramento

Position Matchups

Quarterbacks: Fresno State
Running Backs: Fresno State
Offensive Line: Fresno State
Receivers: Sac State
Defensive Lineman: Fresno State
Linebackers: Fresno State
Defensive Backs: Sac State
Special Teams: Fresno State

Breakdown: Bulldogs

Fresno State is coming off of one of its most disappointing seasons in recent memory. Pat Hill’s squad would like nothing better than to start their 2007 campaign by beating their sister school from up north. The Bulldogs will need to rely on their strengths and avoid showing their weakness if they hope to begin their season with a victory.

Strengths:

• Four of the five starters from last season’s offensive line are returning to protect quarterback Tom Brandstater and open holes in the running game. The line has a combined 69 starts between all five starters. The unit was the best in the WAC last season, only allowing 14 sacks. Outland/Remington trophy candidate Ryan Wendell anchors this experienced line at center. Left guard Cole Popovich is poised for a breakout season. If he stays healthy he is solid as a rock.

• Bear Pascoe is very versatile at the tight end position. The former high school quarterback can run, catch, block and is an excellent asset on special teams. Pascoe will likely be Brandstater’s best friend this season as he gives the quarterback excellent protection and is a nice insurance policy on short third down conversions. If new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain can involve Pascoe in the offense then it could be a long night for the Hornets.

• Last season was deplorable for the Bulldogs special teams unit. One bright spot, however, was senior kicker Clint Stitser. He hit 11 of 16 field goals last season, second in the conference. The strongest kicker in Fresno State history, Stitser is a Lou Groza award candidate and provides the Bulldogs with a rock in the kicking game.

Weaknesses:

• Losing wide receiver Chastin West was a big blow to the offense. The go-to-guy will now be sophomore Marlon Moore, who only caught four balls last season. The lack of experience in the receiving corps and an experienced Hornet secondary could slow the passing game.

• The secondary unit was inconsistent at best last season and deplorable at worst. Former cornerback Marcus McCauley was a huge letdown in 2006. Stepping into his place is senior Damon Jenkins. He will try and be a solid anchor at cornerback. Jenkins had all three of the Bulldogs’ interceptions last season to go along with 32 tackles.

• The Bulldogs special teams unit allowed 15.8 yards per punt return and 22.3 yards per kickoff return last season. This statistic will need to be vastly improved if the Bulldogs hope to contend.

• The loss of nose tackle Jason Shirley hurts the defense on the line, but senior defensive end Tyler Clutts should be able to pick up the slack.

Breakdown: Hornets

Coach Marshall Sperbeck is entering his first season at the helm of the Hornets who are returning 13 starters from a year ago. He is looking to turn the program around after a fifth place showing in the Big Sky Conference and sixth consecutive losing season. This is the Hornets first ever trip to Bulldog Stadium. The only previous meeting between the Hornets and Bulldogs was in 1972 at Sacramento. The Bulldogs won that game 24-7. Bragging rights will be on the line for the premier football program in the valley.

Strengths:

• The Hornets return three starters on their defensive line from last year’s squad. “The defensive line is one of the strengths of our team,” Sperbeck said. “It’s a group of players that can lead and make a difference on the team.”

• Sperbeck’s secondary is solid with four returning starters. Safeties Brent Webber and Brett Shelton anchor the defensive backs and have combined to start in 62 games during their collegiate careers. Facing an inexperienced Bulldog receiving corps will play to the Hornets’ advantage.

• Wide receiver is the deepest position on the team for the Hornets. Four players are returning who have started for Sac State. Junior wide receiver Torrell Baker who played running back last season is the leading returning rusher and receiver from last season. Look for Sperbeck to utilize Baker in multiple formations.

Weaknesses:

• Red-shirt freshman Jason Smith gets the nod at quarterback for the Hornets. His lack of experience has Bulldogs’ defensive end Tyler Clutts and the rest of the defense licking their chops.

• Another glaring question mark for the Hornets is at running back. Five players are listed on the depth chart and not one has started at running back for Sac State. Fresno City College transfer Travon Jones will start Saturday for the Hornets.

• The offensive line has only three returning letterman from a year ago. Only two started.

Gameday events

Look for the promotions and special events at Saturday’s Fresno State football game. Among them:

•The California Air National Guard 144th Fighter Wing Squadron will perform a flyover at Bulldog Stadium just prior to kickoff.

•15,000 David Carr Cheer Cards will be distributed.

•500 David Carr T-shirts will be given to kids under 14 at Bulldog Boulevard.

•Bulldog Boulevard will be located in the Red Lot near the east gate of Bulldog Stadium at Cedar and Barstow avenues and will open four hours before game time.

•Newly made-over mascot Timeout will make his appearance in Bulldog Stadium approximately 20 minutes before kickoff.

•KMJ Radio station will give away 30,000 Bulldog window decals during the game.

•David Carr’s jersey will be retired during halftime ceremonies.

•7,500 free Fresno State football schedule magnets will be given away at the exit.

REDZONE gives prizes, gifts for membership

The sea of red is back and bigger than ever.

Active since 2005, REDZONE is the official student booster club.

Fresno State students Stephen Trembley, John Migliazo, Brent Hansen and Luke Moritz founded the organization.

“Our goal is to improve the experience at Fresno State athletic events and increase student attendance and participation at these games through a special cheering section,” Trembley said. “We had around 900 members last year and have an estimated 1,300 members this year with hopes to surpass the 1,500 mark.”

REDZONE president Mackee Mason works closely with the athletic department to implement different aspects of the group.

Memberships can be purchased at the REDZONE table near where football tickets are sold or on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Bulldog Stadium.

REDZONE membership is included in the price of student season tickets for $10.

“Becoming a member does not require having an interest in sports, is inexpensive and comes with a REDZONE T-shirt when you join,” Trembley said. “In addition, it is a good way of meeting new people.”

REDZONE rewards students who attend football games with rewards such as a $300 gift certificate to the Kennel Bookstore, a gift certificate to University Chicken and a chance to win $10,000 toward tuition at halftime.

Last year, selected fans won a trip to see the Bulldogs play San Jose State.

This year, the REDZONE is working on a trip to the Nevada State game.

“Regardless whether you win anything or not, being in the student section is a reward in its own,” Mason said. “It brings everyone together and I love how you could just turn around and high-five someone you’ve never met before while supporting the team.”

In the future, the founders want every student to be a member and have a designated REDZONE section for every sport.

“We’re happy with how far we have come and know some of our goals are realistically down the road,” Trembley said.

REDZONE is an annual membership so students who were members last year have to renew their membership this year.

The organization plans on working towards four-year or even lifetime memberships.

Freshman Jessica Lewis, a REDZONE member,will attend a football game for the first time this season.

“I’ve never been to a game in my life but decided to join because I have heard the student section is a great experience,” she said.

Students can join the REDZONE experience Sept. 1 at Bulldog Stadium.

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