'Dogs hoping to avoid 6th consecutive loss

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For the 5th week in a row, the Fresno State Football team is coming off a loss.

"Have you gotten used to losing?" one reporter asked head coach Tim DeRuyter.

"I don't think anyone gets used to losing," he replied.

Just 3 weeks ago, DeRuyter said the 'Dogs had all their goals ahead of them as they entered Mountain West play. Now after an 0-3 start in conference and 5th straight overall, Fresno State is one loss from cementing a third losing season in a row.

"There is no fun in losing," DeRuyter said. "It is what it is, you play the game to win and when you don't win it's frustrating and we have to find a way to get over the top."

The 'Dogs latest loss, a 17-3 home defeat to San Diego State, drops Fresno State to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in conference. It's the same conference record as this week's opponent, Utah State, who enter 2-4 overall.

"They're (Utah State) a team like us, 0-3 in conference," DeRuyter said. "Their backs are against the wall as well. The last 3 weeks they've played decent, they are a young team. I see a lot of parallels between their team and our team quite frankly."

One parallel coach DeRuyter doesn't see is the attitude from last year's 3-9 Bulldog squad and this year's team.

"I had a meeting this morning with the captains just to talk to them," he said. "I typically do that every couple of weeks about where we are at. Obviously, the biggest concern is the results, I say, 'Hey, are there any issues in the locker room.' They are like, 'A year ago yes, now, no.' When you do have adversity it's real easy for guys to point fingers and not thumbs. We have to get everyone wrapping their arms around each other, fighting so we can go to Utah State and get a win."