Fresno State head football coach Tim Derutyer admitted last year's blowout loss against SMU in the Hawaii Bowl was his responsibility. At Friday's press conference he referred to the Hawaii bowl as being anti-climactic because the 'Dogs only shared the Mountain West Title. But Deruyter said that's not the case this time.
"Our guys know this will be a game that's going to be remembered for a long, long time. To be able to lead our guys out there, lead these special guys here. I know our coaching staff is going to be fired up. And I expect our players will be too." Derutyer said.
The Bowl game will also be the final collegiate game for Bulldog Derek Carr. Carr holds more than two dozen school and conference records.
"I always feel no matter who we play we have a chance to win or else we shouldn't be there. But obviously playing a program like USC for you last game, what a challenge. How great they are on defense," Carr said.
Carr will be taking on his friend Cody Kessler, who's also from Bakersfield. The two will go up against each other ---but not directly of course. They will both have plenty of friends and family making this bowl game that much bigger for the two signal callers.
"So it's going to be exciting. A lot of my friends are going to drive up from Bakersfield. So it's going to have that home atmosphere for me and Derek. And you know the other guys that played in the valley and played in Bakersfield and Fresno. But I'm treating it just like any other game. But there are some extras that come with it that makes it more exciting," Kessler said.
