Nebraska takes the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday at 7 p.m. for its first game of the season. After a week one debacle last year, the Huskers will look to start the season strong against the Bulldogs.
Fresno State's 2015 season
Last season was a tough one for Fresno State. The Bulldogs went 3-9 (2-6 Mountain West). The Bulldogs finished ranked below 100th in the nation in rushing, passing, scoring, and total offense.
The defense wasn't much better after finishing below 100th in the nation in rushing, pass efficiency, scoring and total defense. Maybe the only bright spot for the Bulldogs in 2015 was their pass defense which finished ranked No. 49 in the nation.
Fresno State will try to look more like the team it was from 2012-14, making two trips to the Mountain West Championship Game and three bowl game appearances in Head Coach Tim DeRuyter's first three seasons.
Previous meetings with the Huskers
The meeting between Nebraska and Fresno State Saturday will complete a three-game series between the two teams. The Huskers routed the Bulldogs at home 42-29 in 2011 after Ameer Abdullah set the single-game record for kickoff return yards.
In 2014, the Huskers traveled to Fresno and took care of business, winning 55-19. Tommy Armstrong Jr. had 325 yards of total offense, throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 65 yards.
Fresno State players to watch
Wide receivers Jamire Jordan and Da'Mari Scott will be redshirt freshman quarterback Chason Virgil's top targets this season. Jordan caught 46 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns last season, while Scott had 24 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns.
Linebacker Jeff Camilli returns after becoming Fresno State's top tackler last season. Camilli finished 2015 with 46 tackles and two interceptions.
Dealing with the 3-4 defense
Fresno State will come out in a 3-4 defense, meaning just three down defensive lineman as opposed to the base 4-3 defense with four down linemen.
Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Danny Langsdorf said the team has been working on Fresno State's scheme since the opening of fall camp, so the players should be used to the look.
Up-tempo offense
Fresno State likes to run a very up-tempo offense with a lot of misdirection. Fresno State will likely run a lot of Fly Sweep plays, as well as some pistol formations to try to confuse the Huskers, but Armstrong is not worried.
"Some of the young guys that we played when we played them in the past are actually veteran guys now," Armstrong said. "We're looking at a good, experienced group but I think we're ready for it. We've studied a lot, and now we're just polishing up things to go out there and try to get our first win."
Nebraska's game against Fresno State will be live on AM 590 and the Big Ten Network.
For continuing coverage of Nebraska football, follow @OSIsports and @TylerMartinOSI on Twitter, check back with OmahaSportsInsider.com and tune into KMTV and AM 590 ESPN Omaha.
Contact the writer:
Twitter: @TylerMartinOSI
Email: Tyler.Martin@KMTV.com
