MWC title within reach for 'Dogs at Nevada

FRESNO, Calif.

The 'Dogs know a share of the conference title at the very least is within their grasp.

Another home game played, another blowout that was all but over by halftime.

A half that head coach Tim DeRuyter said was impressive on both sides of the ball.

"Offensively we scored six touchdowns on eight first half possessions. A few of those were set up because our defense did a great job getting takeaways and then getting some short fields after some three and out drives." said DeRuyter.

And after resting his starters for the second half, coach DeRuyter hopes his Bulldogs will be fresh at Nevada on Saturday in order to stop Visalia native Stefphon Jefferson the nation's second-leading rusher by a yard.

"He's been running in that offense for a while and anytime you have that, you've got that comfort zone of knowing where things are going to open up. And he does a good job of exploiting the holes that he has." added DeRuyter.

It's not just rushing the ball, where the Wolfpack excel. They keep opposing defenses off balance with a solid passing attack.

"I believe they're averaging about 260 yards passing and 260 rushing, so that balance is really difficult to try to defend. I believe they're top-10, maybe number eight in the country in total offense." said DeRuyter.

But Fresno State is ranked sixth in total offense with its own two-pronged attack, a unit that coach DeRuyter believes has improved as the season has gone on.

"When you can trust each other that someone's going to make plays we'll just keep chopping wood and doing what we do." DeRuyter added.

Now the question is: can the Bulldogs keep it up against another quality opponent on the road?

"It's a difficult place to play. We looked at the weather forecast. It's going to be chilly. We've played in that condition before. It's something we'll address with our team. But if you want to win a league championship you have to win on the road." DeRuyter answered.

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