Fresno State opened the season in resounding fashion by trouncing UConn, 45-0. The Huskies haven’t played a game since the fall of 2019 and it showed.
Bulldogs RB Ronnie Rivers was the star of the game and is my highest-rated prospect that played in today’s contest. Let’s look at my game notes for each squad.
FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
20 RB Ronnie Rivers
Rivers has quick feet and bursts through the hole. He is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield. Rivers is not just a safety valve but can run solid routes as well. He runs with tremendous balance and with a low center of gravity. In a little over a half, Rivers had 15 touches for 124 yards and a 61-yard receiving TD from a wheel route. He set the Fresno State school record for most total touchdowns with 45. Rivers’ skillset reminds me of UCLA RB Demetric Felton a year ago. His 5’9” sub-200-pound frame may keep him down some boards but probably not mine.
72 OT Dontae Bull
Already possessing one of the best names in college football, Bull also owns a set of strong hands. He recovers well when he is initially beaten. I question whether he has the necessary arm length to play outside at the NFL level.
6 RB Jordan Wilmore
Wilmore is a former four-star recruit for Utah. He transferred to the Valley for the 2021 season. Wilmore is currently #3 on the RB depth chart behind Rivers and senior Jordan Mims. In the fourth quarter, Wilmore had seven touches for 43 yards. He showed decent wiggle and burst.
9 QB Jake Haener
Haener was not on our initial watchlist. The former Washington Husky showed a decent arm while spreading the ball around. Nine different Bulldogs caught a pass from Haener. The 6’1” 195-pound passer is not a great athlete. Before leaving the game with cramps in the third quarter, Haener completed 20-26 passing, for 331 yards, and three scores.
3 EDGE Arron Mosby
Mosby also wasn’t on our initial watchlist. The 6’4” 246-pound senior showed a great burst off of the edge. Mosby beat the right tackle, stripped the QB, recovered the fumble he forced, scooped it up for a touchdown.
UCONN HUSKIES
74 OT Ryan Van Demark
Van Denmark is the only offensive player on the UConn team that has any chance of playing in the NFL next season. The 6’7” 302-pound senior showed a solid base. Van Denmark has good arm length and is aggressive through the whistle. At no point during the game against Fresno State did he even give up a single pressure. The only real knock I have on Van Denmark is that I think he could stand to add a little more power to his game.
57 DL Travis Jones
The broadcast stated that scouts were raving about Travis Jones. That may be the case. He is a block eater and is quite strong. Jones isn’t flashy so he isn’t going to grab headlines. Jones is going to give you 60-minutes of high-effort football.