1988_08 The Daily Collegian August 1988

              gian Sports
Wednesday, August 31,1988
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BY MIKE KUNGBEH,
Co-Sportt Editor
The adage that says where talent leaves off
experience takes over is often used in sports, as it is in
life. However, with the lack of veterans and the large
number of players lost lo graduation on (he Fresno State
football offense, the mono should be where laleni leaves
off youth and desire wil] take over.
The losses of such notables on offense as Mike
Withycombe, Brock Smith, Ron Jenkins, and the best
placckicker Fresno has 'ever seen, Barry Belli, has
decisively weakened the veteranship of the Bulldogs,
Freshmen and unknown faces, until now, such as
Mark Barsotii, Myron Jones and Dwight Pickens are
ready to take over in a new era of Bulldog football.
If there has been a legend in FSU football that has
played an iniregal role on the offense and did more to
help the Bulldogs win games, it was kicker Barry Belli.
While Belli led the conference in kick scoring with
a total of 72 points, be also was First Team AA11-
PCAA, ihe PCAA All-Time scoring and kick-scoring
record holder and holder of 17 PCAA and Fresno Slate
school records.
One young player who is filling in just about the
btggcsi shoes anyone in college football can fill is
Merced JC transfer Steve Loop. At first glance at his
background. Loop appears lo be up to ihe lask.
While at Merced junior college, he was a two time
All-Central Valley Conference pick and a first te*m JC
Grid-Wire All-American as a sophomore- He also set a
school record wilh 172 career points. With these
credentials he should be a reliable placekkkcr for the
Bulldogs.
Also in the kicking department, punting will be
handled by Jason Novacek. Novacek is a transfer student
from Nebraska and is a track sensation. While competing
this past spring for the FSU track team. Novacek won
the PCAA decathlon lille. In high school, the 6'4" 210
pounder was the national high school decathlon leader
with 7,013 points.
Meanwhile, during his tenure with the football
team. Novacek punted an average of 43 yards at
Gothenburg High in Nebraska.
Ray Magana and Bradford Scaglc will compete for
die second string punting job.
For the first time in years at Fresno Slate ihe
Utiartcrback situation is unsctded appears to be up for
grabs. Senior Dave Telford would have a starting job
locked up at most schools wilh his lecord-sctting season
last year, including placing himself fourth on the single-
season passing yardage total with 2,589 yards.
Madera high sensation Mark Barsotii has set his
eyes on the starting quarterback position after redshirling
last year. Not since Kevin Sweeney has any quarterback
received as much praise as this 19-year old freshman has,
and for good reason. In his senior season at Madera high,
Barsotii threw for 2,422 yards and 27 toucrrdowns.
During his tenure there he threw for 4,226 yards and 52
touchdowns.
Barsotii has displayed what Coach Sweeney calls
"a rifle arm" consistenUy enough to earn a starting role
for the season opener against New Mexico on Saturday.
"9arsoui, down the line, has the chance to be a
great quarterback," says Sweeney. "He is a very good
passer and an intelligent guy."
Essentially, the contest involves Telford s
experience against Barsotti's incredible raw ability.
Junior Eric Buichele will hold down the third siring
position.
Freshman Mark Baraotl will make his Bulldog quarterback debut In Saturday's
opener against New Mexico
of Sporti Inform«iiori/T<MaJ Alfred
The backfield will be dominated by relative
unknowns. The fullback position will be a swing shift
with freshman Eric Martin, juniors Myron Jones and
Adrian Cooks, and sophomore Kelly Brooks rotating.
While Sweeney says that he has had a tendency to
fumble the ball, Jones would appear to have the edge
over the rest of his piers. His 107 rushing yards in the
spring exhibition game instilled the first feeling of
optimism in his coaches. His decisive speed is a further
asset in his favor.
Strong hopes also lie on the shoulders of Kelly
Brooks as he has proven himself a quality running back
and receiver with the Bulldogs. Brooks re-injured his
knee ai the start of the fall practice sessions last year and
was forced to redsfiirt the season. "We all pray that Kelly
will heal and be back with us. He is a tenacious
competitor," says Sweeney.
Another runningback that has fallen victim to the
injury bug is sophomore Courtney Griffin. Summed up
simply, "Courtney can play, but we never have him
healthy long enough to truly evaluate him," Sweeney
comments. An injury forced Griffin io undergo
arthroscopic knee surgery late last season. The surgery
prevented him from taking part in most of spring
practice. While a recognized talent. Griffin played in
just eight games last season accruing 192 yards on 45
carries.
One veteran Bulldog that plans on spearheading the
backfield attack will be senior Kelly Skipper. Skipper
who [allied 588 rushing yards last year, is filth on the
Fresno State career rushing list with 1,580 yards since
1985. His highlight last year was a 90-yard effort against
Long Beach State. Skipper's poise and consistent output
Please see OFFENSE, page 9