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Five Fresno State Players that Could Cause Problems For The Huskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will take on the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday.
While the two teams are definitely not on the same level as far as talent, Husker fans still aren’t sure what they have on their hands in Mike Riley and company. Fresno State isn’t what it used to be.
There was a time the Bulldogs struck fear in the hearts of college football’s elite teams. They were somebody who would take on any opponent and gave almost everyone a good game. Mike Riley knows all about that, considering he lost his only contest against Fresno State when he was still with Oregon State.
Last year the Bulldogs were just 3-9 and weren’t particularly good at playing either offense or defense. That seems like just what the doctor ordered for Nebraska after the way they opened last year.
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The Huskers went down to BYU after a hail mary to open the 2015 season. This time around, it’s a safe bet Mike Riley and company are hoping they can open the 2016 year with a big win. All signs point to a blowout, but if Fresno State is going to make this a game, there are a few players who could pose problems for the Nebraska football team.
If any or all of these players have a solid outing and a few of them get hot, it could mean trouble for a Husker defense that had some problems of its own last year. Mark Banker and company have talked a lot about how much better they are. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Nov 28, 2015; Fresno, CA, USA; Colorado State Rams running back Izzy Matthews (35) is tackled by Fresno State Bulldogs linebacker Jeff Camilli (42) in the second quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Camilli (MLB)
The Fresno State defense was one of the worst in the country last year. That could be very good news for the Huskers as they try and open the season on a high note.
If there is one Fresno State defender that could cause problems for the running game especially, it would be Camilli. While the Bulldogs were ranked around 100th in the country in total defense, Camilli stood out.
The senior linebacker led the team in tackles last year with 75 tackles and two interceptions. While he’s pretty good against the pass, it’s his ability to stop the run that should give the Huskers pause.
The team has spent the last few months talking about how much they want to focus on the run game this year. Terrell Newby has a lot to prove, even as he gets named the starting running back for the first game of the year.
If Newby can’t get it going, it will likely be because Camilli is running roughshod over the Husker offensive line. There are few Fresno State players who should strike much fear into the hearts of Husker fans, but it’s a safe bet that if any of them have success on Saturday night, Camilli will be at the top of the list.
Sep 26, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (3) makes the catch for a touchdown against San Jose State Spartans cornerback Andre Chachere (21) during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
KeeSean Johnson (WR)
While it’s spelled differently, there will be two KeeSean Johnsons in Lincoln on Saturday. There’s the one who is a commit to the Nebraska Cornhuskers and there’s the wide receiver for Fresno State.
It’s not a surprise that the Huskers have to worry about stopping the passing game more than any other aspect of the Bulldogs’ offense. The Huskers had lots of problems stopping the pass last year and teams are going to go after it until the huskers have proven they can actually stop an aerial attack.
Despite struggling on offense last year, the Bulldogs had a couple of wide receivers that were pretty talented. Johnson finished last season with 37 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns.
Running a three wide receiver set, Johnson is one of the receivers the Huskers are going to have to keep tabs on if they want to keep the Bulldogs out of the endzone. Because the running game is suffering from injuries and lack of veteran leadership, the passing game is going to be key.
Fresno State is likely hoping they will have enough passing game weapons that the Huskers won’t be able to cover them all. Johnson is a safe bet to be a real thorn in the side of Banker and company.
Sep 6, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Aaron Peck (7) runs after a reception during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 59-27. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Peck (WR)
Much like Johnson, the Fresno State Bulldogs are going to be hoping they can get Aaron Peck going early and often. One of the reasons Peck might be able to have more success against the Huskers than others is because he missed all of last season.
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He had to miss the 2015 season because of an injury and that means there isn’t going to be a ton of game film on Peck. On the flip side, it’s been a long time since Peck has played against real competition from another school.
While he had to sit out the 2015 season, it seemed as though Peck was becoming quite the weapon. In just his sophomore year, he had 32 catches for 419 yards and three touchdowns. Those kinds of numbers are certainly going to be plenty attractive for a Bulldogs team just looking to score a touchdown or two.
Peck has made his way back onto the team’s depth chart and is slated to be one of the starting wide receivers. Against the Huskers, he could be leaned on to give the Bulldogs an offensive boost. If he can have himself a game, it could be trouble for the Huskers.
Nov 28, 2015; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Jamire Jordan (2) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Colorado State Rams in the first quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jamire Jordan (WR)
Jamire Jordan is likely the biggest weapon the Fresno State Bulldogs have to use against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Despite the fact that the Bulldogs struggled early and often on offense on the way to their 3-9 record, Jordan had a pretty successful season.
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The senior wide receiver had easily the best season of any Fresno pass catcher, hauling in more than 45 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns. More than the yards and scores, Jordan showed he was explosive once he had the ball in his hands.
Jordan averaged more than 11 yards per catch and will likely be the person who leads the offensive charge. The team is going to be dealing with a very young quarterback against a defense that will likely pin its ears back and rush the passer.
If Jordan can find a way to get open, it could pose a real problem for a secondary that got roasted plenty by less talented receivers. He has the speed and the ability to stretch the field and that is going to cause a problem in the three receiver set. Jordan will running free from time to time. If he can make those times frequent, the Huskers might find themselves in a dog fight.
Sep 3, 2015; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Chason Virgil (5) looks to throw a pass against the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the second quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Chason Virgil (QB)
Of all the players on this list, Chason Virgil is the biggest question mark. That’s because the quarterback is a redshirt freshman who played quite a bit last year before he got hurt.
That injury is the reason he got the year back with a redshirt. Before he had to sit out the rest of the season, Virgil completed 31 of 56 passes for 298 yards. Along with those yards, he threw three touchdown passes and three interceptions.
The real problem for the Huskers is that Virgil is a dual threat quarterback. While Fresno State isn’t a school that relies much on a running quarterback, it’s clear Chason Virgil has mobility as one of his big weapons. In addition to what he did through the air last year, he also carried the ball nine times for 53 yards.
Considering the Husker front line had plenty of problems getting to the quarterback, it might have even more problems stopping a QB who can run outside the pocket when he feels the heat. Fresno State won’t be able to run much against the Nebraska football team and that means the quarterback is going to be putting the ball in the air plenty.
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