From Deseret News archives:
WAC preview
FRESNO STATE
Key players: QB Tom Brandstater, Sr.; TE Bear Pascoe, Sr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 6 defense.
Notes: After going 4-8 in 2006 — coach Pat Hill's first losing season since 1998 — Fresno State went 9-4 last fall and is looking to win the league for the first time since tying for the 1999 championship. If the Bulldogs make it through the nonconference season without a loss, they'll be making a run for the BCS.
BOISE STATE
Key players: RB Ian Johnson, Sr.; OT Andrew Woodruff, Sr.; K Kyle Brotzman, So. Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: The Broncos slipped from the top of the WAC last year, but to No. 2. ... Johnson has rushed for 3,417 yards and scored 45 career touchdowns.
NEVADA
Key players: QB Colin Kaepernick, So.; QB Nick Graziano, Jr.; RB Luke Lippincott. Returning starters: 8 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: The Wolf Pack attack could have a diverse look behind Kaepernick and Graziano. Graziano was the starter a year ago, but a foot injury ended his season five games in and Kaepernick took over — playing well enough to be named WAC freshman of the year. At 6-foot-6, Kaepernick is 5 inches taller than Graziano, but still raw.
LOUISIANA TECH
Key players: RB Patrick Johnson, Sr.; S Antonio Baker, Jr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: In his first season, coach Derek Dooley took the Bulldogs from 3-10 to 5-7 and 4-4 in the WAC ... Johnson needs 1,170 rushing yards to break the school record.
HAWAII
Key players: LB Solomon Elimimian, Sr.; LB Adam Leonard, Sr.; QB Inoke Funaki, Jr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: New coach Greg McMackin inherits a team that averaged 43 points and 512 yards per game last season, but is missing much of the 2007 offense. Colt Brennan, who passed for 4,343 yards and 38 touchdowns, and 13 other starters are gone. ... Hawaii has a tough stretch in October with a visit to Boise State followed by a home game against Nevada.
NEW MEXICO STATE
Key players: QB Chase Holbrook, Sr.; WR Chris Williams, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Holbrook passed for 3,866 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and gets his top receiver back in Williams, who caught 11 touchdowns in eight games then missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury ... The Aggies are trying to end a 48-year postseason drought. Their last bowl appearance was the Sun Bowl in 1960.
SAN JOSE STATE
Key players: WR Kevin Jurovich, Sr.; CB Christopher Owens, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.
