DeRuyter shares reasoning behind quarterback change

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno State Football Bulldogs still have a shot at a third straight Mountain West crown but have decided to change quarterbacks ahead of Saturday's game against Wyoming.

"We just decided at this point it was time," Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter said bluntly.

And with that, the Zack Greenlee Era at Fresno State has begun. Bulldog head coach Tim DeRuyter benched Bakersfield's Brian Burrell in favor of the redshirt freshman.

"He's got the skill set," DeRuyter said of Greenlee. "His release, his accuracy, his arm strength, those kind of things led itself to running our offense very, very well."

Greenlee has played in just one game this season, completing four of seven passes for 109 yards and one touchdown against Southern Utah. That score was a perfectly thrown deep ball to Da'Mari Scott that went for 81 yards, immediately impressing the Red Wave to the point of creating a mini-quarterback controversy.

"After the Boise game we watched the tape together coach Schramm and I and the offensive staff," DeRuyter said. "And we decided after that game it's probably time to give Zack a couple weeks working with that first huddle and work the timing out, and have him be our starting quarterback the rest of the way out."

Coach DeRuyter says there won't be any limitations on the playbook for Greenlee, nor will the Stockton native have a short leash. DeRuyter wants Greenlee put in a position to succeed.

"We anticipate he will be our starting quarterback the rest of the way," DeRuyter said. "I think he's made the progress to earn that right."

And his first start will come against a Wyoming team that has fallen on hard times as of late, losing its last four games after starting the season 3-1.

"They're a team like us," DeRuyter said. "They think they can get bowl eligible. This is a game they're going to look at winning if they want to do that."

Kickoff for Saturday night's "Salute to Service" theme game is set for 7:45 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium and will be shown nationally on ESPN2.