DeRuyter takes responsibility for UNLV loss

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter pulled no punches Monday morning when discussing where to direct all questions and comments about Friday's 30-27 overtime loss to UNLV.

"If people want to point fingers, point it at me," DeRuyter said. "I'm the reason we didn't win on Friday night. It's not our quarterback, it's not our offensive or defensive coordinators. It's what we do. And we've got to execute better."

DeRuyter was especially displeased with Fresno State's execution on both sides of the ball against the Rebels, vowing to make any and all changes necessary to play better football.

"There's a lot of one on ones that you've got to win," explained DeRuyter. "Especially if you're a guy who's unblocked, if you're a guy who's got a chance to make an interception, has a one on one chance to make a catch. You've got to make those plays, and too many times we didn't make those plays."

"We can't keep thinking about the loss because that will distract us going into the Boise game," warned senior wide receiver Josh Harper. "So I'm pretty sure everybody's over it now and are ready to win out the rest of the conference."

And those changes will need to be made in a hurry, as the Bulldogs head to Boise State for the last of four straight Friday night games. The Broncos come in at 4-2 under first year head coach Bryan Harsin.

"We haven't won there since '84," said DeRuyter. "You look at their record against everybody and they've done a nice job up there. But it's nothing to do with the field, it's nothing to do with the uniforms, it's them playing well and teams playing against them not executing as well. We've got to go out there and execute."

"We have to be ready for a dog fight," said Harper. "We've got to execute. We can't make mistakes like we made last Friday."

Kickoff at Albertsons Stadium in Boise is set for Friday at 5 p.m. Pacific, and will be shown nationally on ESPN.