“Explosiveness.” That’s the one word that Fresno State offensive personnel — from the coaching staff to the players — have emphasized since spring.

Last season the offense searched for an identity. They now believe they’ve found one, and at its heart are explosive plays.

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Quarterback Mikey Keene Sees Progress

Quarterback Mikey Keene is the triggerman of that identity.

“We’ve continued to progress throughout the summer. Getting the new guys reps with the guys who’ve been here. Then we transitioned to fall camp and we’ve been executing at a high level,” Keene told GV Wire.

“We got a lot of offense in, and we got a lot of plays to pick and choose of what we want to identify with as a unit. With that, we can find our strengths and weaknesses in those plays and work on them to get better.”

The results were evident in their second scrimmage last Saturday a week after they scored only one touchdown in the first fall scrimmage. The Bulldogs clicked and made the necessary strides to build on that “explosive” mindset.

“We played a lot faster. We executed at a higher level. There was less pre-snap and post-snap operation and penalties. We did a good job of processing our reads in the quarterback room. We scored a couple of touchdowns,” Keene said.

Offensive Line and Running Game Show Promise

Offensive line coach Matt Smith said he was impressed by the offense’s performance and liked what he saw from his big guys up front.

“The whole offense is coming together. We’re working hard and we’ve got a lot of talent,” Smith said. “The biggest thing from last year I emphasize is communicating up front and making sure we’re on the same page.”

Practices and scrimmages like this allow for veteran players to grow and for young players to shine.

Running back coach Aaron Prier gave a shout-out to local freshman Bryson Donelson: “Bryson had a good day and showed that he can play at a high level and played fast. We didn’t get to see that in the first scrimmage. That’s what stood out.”

If he continues to play like this then the Central Valley Christian High graduate could possibly have his number called for more reps.

He’s a part of a solid group featuring senior running backs Malik Sherrod, Elijah Gilliam, redshirt freshman Devon Rivers, and junior Johnathan Arceneaux.

There are high hopes for Sherrod as he’s a watchlist candidate for the Doak Walker and Paul Hornung awards. Last season, he produced career highs with 172 rushing attempts, 966 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in nine starts. He gained 100 or more yards in four games, ranked fourth in the Mountain West in rushing, and heads into the season as the conference’s second-leading returning rusher.

Smith and Prier believe that the running game can provide much “explosiveness” to the offense. “The run game is what needs to be explosive. We got to run it better. Game breaker plays are a big deal. Pop off long runs and we want to do that with the opportunities we get,” said Prier.

Said Smith: “We do have explosive guys around the perimeter. My job as a coach is to make sure we can protect the quarterback so the ball can get into the hands of those explosive players to make big plays. We have a talented o-line and running back room. I want to create more explosive plays in the running game, but we have to be consistent in being physical and knocking guys off the ball. It’s that water against the rock mentality, keep hitting until it breaks free for a big one.”

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Wide Receivers Ready to Make an Impact

Getting the ball into the hands of players like sophomore wide receiver Jalen Moss is a priority. The preseason All-Mountain West playmaker was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards last season. He feels the receiving corp can add the “explosiveness” that the coaches are looking for with their big-play capabilities.

Moss told GV Wire that their group plays as one, brings energy to the offense, and their grind is what sets them apart. The trust they have with each other to make big plays boosts the confidence of the offense.

And they got the company to do so. They have preseason All-Mountain West team players with senior Mac Dalena and junior Chedon James, including junior Josiah Freeman, junior Tim Grear Jr., and Missouri State junior transfer and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose award watchlist candidate Raylen Sharpe.

Offensive Linemen Control the Trenches

In the end it all starts in the trenches and Smith believes the physicality and blue-collar ethic of his unit can be the engine that ignites the offense. Leadership will play a big factor in their overall performance as a group. They’re led by All-Mountain West team selections and seniors Mose Vavao and Jacob Spomer.

Starters like seniors Braylen Nelson (preseason All-Mountain West), and Osmar Velez return for the Bulldogs. Smith praises his veterans for what they bring to the table but wants to see others on the depth chart show they deserve playing time.

“Braylon Nelson is doing a good job. Campbell McHarg is doing a great job. Osmar Velez, Julian Polendo, we got a whole list of guys who are expanding their role and finding new ways to get out there. They’ve been very successful in camp,” Smith said

They ranked second in the Mountain West last year in passing offense, averaging 282.2 yards per game. They also averaged 30 or more points a game for the sixth season in a row, the longest streak in the Mountain West. The goal is to go above and beyond that.

They’ll need everything at their disposal when they take on the Michigan Wolverines for their season opener in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31. Smith told GV Wire that as long as they focus on their technique, physicality, and the details on getting the job done, they’ll be successful.

Tight Ends Add Versatility to the Offense

The versatility of the offense will come from the tight ends. Senior Jake Boust is the leader and will be getting most of the reps but during this fall camp junior Kamron Beachem has emerged as a player to keep an eye on. More than likely, they’ll both get significant time. Boust can catch but his size makes for an ideal blocker on the edge and Beachem has the speed to get open.

Coaches and players have been forthright in expressing that the offense abides by the playbook from former head coach Jeff Tedford. His trademarks are imprinted into the strategy, but offensive coordinator Pat McCann is adding his wrinkles. The offense will evolve but the spirit of Tedford remains.

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Mikey Keene: The Leader

When it’s all said and done, much rests with the leadership and performance of the man taking the snaps, Mikey Keene. He’s a preseason all-conference selection and the only quarterback in the Mountain West to be selected to the watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award.

It’s no question he’s the number one guy behind center, but while wearing No. 1 on his jersey, he’s signaling to The Red Wave that he’s the top guy on the team. All eyes are on him. He’ll wear the letter C proudly during the season.

“We got dudes who fly around to the ball and that are playing with a fanatical effort. Guys that are blocking on the perimeter. We got tough o-lineman up front. The offense will be exciting to see,” said Keene.