The Bulldogs held their second and final scrimmage of fall camp Saturday evening at Bulldog Stadium.
Like last week, many young players saw the field for extended periods as the coaching staff evaluated who will earn playing time this season.
The team is now about halfway through fall camp, having completed two weeks and 14 practices.
“We have a lot to work on, for sure, but I’m pleased with the effort, the attitude, those types of things,” Head Coach Jeff Tedford said. “And now we start whittling things down and starting to really focus on the guys that are going to play this season.
“We’re such a young team with 40 new guys right now. We really had to see what they can do, so a lot of time’s been put in on that. Now we’ll get a good evaluation of them and whittle it down.”
Tedford ran all of Saturday like a gameday, getting the team used to what the gameday schedule feels like.
“That’s what it’s all about, is the routine,” Tedford said. “To get everybody used to how long it takes back in the locker room, how long does it take to get down the ramp, how long you have to stretch before the kickoff team goes on. All the little things.
“We did that all day today, from breakfast this morning to pregame meal. It was just a rehearsal of what goes on on gameday. Where we stretch, how long we stretch, where the pregame warmups happen. All those types of things is really what today was about.”
The team even went back to the locker room halfway through practice to simulate halftime.
Quarterback Jorge Reyna said the offense played well, but ultimately made many mistakes and has much to work on.
He praised the defense, saying that even though he’s been playing against them for three years in practice, they always throw in new wrinkles and tricks and play very well off of each other.
“I just need to keep preparing and keep going at it,” Reyna said. “There’s not enough time in the day to go with these guys. I like it. The personnel is amazing. I love going out with our guys. They all can catch, and they all make great plays as you saw today.”
One noticeable change in the scrimmage was with senior Josh Hokit, who switched from running back to linebacker in the spring. However, on Saturday Hokit took reps at running back for the first time in fall camp.
Running back Jordan Mims is out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery, so Hokit may play a role once again at running back.
After Sunday’s practice and the off-day Monday, the ‘Dogs have eight more practices on the schedule leading up to the season opener at USC on Aug. 31. The student-athletes also have their academic responsibilities coming back into play with classes starting Wednesday.
Photo: Fresno State Athletics
