Fresno State Football: Did Quarterback Derek Carr's Debut Live Up to the Hype?

If you’re supposed to be nervous before your first start as a Division-I quarterback, Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr didn’t get the memo.  Approximately 39 minutes before kickoff, No. 4 looked cool, calm and collected as he smiled and waved to the crowd.

After an interception by the Bulldogs deep in Cal territory Carr was set to take his first snap as a Bulldog.  On the first play Carr fired a pass to Devon Wylie for a three-yard completion.

Nerves or no nerves, Carr had a rough outing in his debut going 21-33 with one interception, and he was sacked four times as the Bulldogs lost their opener to Cal 36-21.

Carr’s interception came on a deep sideline pass with single coverage on wideout Jalen Saunders.

A key injury to the the Bulldogs' starting center Richard Helepiko didn’t help matters for Carr.  The injury caused coach Pat Hill  to play musical chairs with the offensive line.  “One guy goes down and we have to move three people, that’s not usually what you think about doing,” said Hill.

Carr made no excuses even though his offensive line had him under duress all game.  “You just have to be tough, when you get hit you have to get right back up,” said Carr.

Before things started to go bad there were some bright spots for Carr.  Trailing 19-7 late in the first quarter, Carr completed a pass over the middle to Wylie on a slant for a 56-yard gain.  The drive stalled at the 18-yard line and kicker Kevin Goessling missed a 35-yard field goal.

There were some miscues as well in Carr's first game; on a second down in the second quarter, Carr took the snap from center and slipped for a 6-yard loss on what seemed like a miscommunication between quarterback and running back.

Carr’s not-so-great day wasn’t helped, due to some of his receivers having the dropsys.  On a third down in the second quarter Jalen Saunders dropped a pass that hit him right in the hands; had he come up with the pass, it looked as though he would have got the first down.

Carr was able to get the first touchdown of his career out of the way on a seven-yard pass to redshirt freshman Josh Harper.  Even with the game out of reach, Carr thought it was important for the Bulldogs to score at that point.  “That was crucial.  We needed that.  That is what I told the guys after, we scored too,” said Carr.

Carr’s brother, David, had a similar experience in his first start as a Bulldog when he had to travel to Ohio State and take on the Buckeyes in 2000.

Things are only going to get tougher for Carr and the Bulldogs as they have to travel to Nebraska next week and take on the Cornhuskers.

My Two Cents

Let's keep in mind that this was Carr's first start.  I have mentioned in the past that his two prior years in the program will help him immensely even though he really didn't play.

I stand by this, but fans have to remember he basically went two plus years without out playing in a real game.  It's not quite like coming off the couch, but it does make a difference.

The game will slow down for Carr and I believe he will develop into a very good quarterback.