After the Dogs' triumph in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl over Washington State, a post surfaced online about the greatest Fresno State quarterbacks of all time. Debate raged about legendary names such as Derek Carr, Trent Dilfer, David Carr, Kevin Sweeney, Paul Pinegar and Marcus McMaryion. Those names all deserve their place in the debate, but let's take a look at 3 local products and slept-on names that are worthy of a place in this debate.
Mark Barsotti (Madera, 1988-1991)
Mark Barsotti ended his Bulldog career the winningest quarterback in school history with 36 wins. This record would have been greater had he not suffered a broken leg midway through his senior season in 1991. Impressively, as a freshman 1988, he was named starter over veterans Dave Telford and Eric Buechele. Telford, the previous year in 1987 set school records for single game passing yards and passing attempts. Undaunted, Barsotti stepped in and led the Dogs to a 10-2 record and victory over Western Michigan in the California Bowl. The next season in 1989, Barsotti was even better. Passing for more yards and more touchdowns, he led the Dogs to 11-1 and another victory in the California Bowl, this time over Ball State. Mark took advantage of a punishing running game behind the legs of legends such as Kelly Skipper, Myron Jones, Aaron Craver and Tim Lewis during those first two seasons.
In 1990, after the graduation of most of his go-to receiving targets, Dwight Pickens, Andre Alexander and Stephen Shelley, as well as those trusty running backs (only Craver returned), Mark posted his best passing yardage season with more than 2,500 yards and an 8 win season. This season saw the emergence of Lorenzo Neal in the backfield as well receivers Malcolm Seabron and Tydus Winans.
In 1991, the Dogs began the season virtually unstoppable. Mark led the Dogs to a top-25 ranking, road wins over PAC-10 foes Washington State and Oregon State, and an offensive leading the nation in total offense and scoring offense. At midseason, Barsotti was leading the nation in passing efficiency, but he succumbed to a tragic broken leg. In his absence, the Dogs only lost one game, and saw the emergence of freshman Trent Dilfer. Dilfer led the Dogs back to Cal Bowl, and in the nick of time, Barsotti recovered to play his final game. Though the Dogs lost in dramatic fashion, Barsotti posted some of the best numbers of his career in his final act. With over 8,000 career passing yards, Mark still sits near the top of the Bulldog record book.
Billy Volek (Fresno, 1996-1999)
1997 marked the beginning of a new era in Bulldog Football. After nearly 20 seasons, Jim Sweeney was no longer the Bulldog commander-in-chief. This was the beginning for former Sweeney assistant Pat Hill. From the start, Hill instilled a new level of toughness to the program. Hill's first quarterback was former Clovis West star Billy Volek.
Billy Volek proved to be one of the craftiest quarterbacks in school history. He didn't have great size or speed or a huge arm, but he brought the grit and determination demanded by Pat Hill. He found a way to make plays. Pat Hill's Bulldogs earned a reputation as giant killers, and the first slayed giant was mighty Utah in 1997. Volek, along with running back Michael Pittman, engineered a dominating victory over the Utes. In 1998, Volek and the Dogs took down a powerful BYU team.
When Hill took over, he committed to developing young players and high school recruits. By 1999, Volek and the Dogs, according to preseason publications, were no longer pups, but full grown. The Dogs hadn't played in a bowl for over 5 years at that point, and the Red Wave was growing restless during year three of the Pat Hill experiment. That season Volek led the Dogs to 8 victories, most since 1993 and a top-25 scalp of Colorado State. Volek was one the nation's most efficient quarterbacks throwing for 30 touchdowns and only being picked off 3 times. Volek helped develop young star receivers such as Rodney Wright, Charles Smith and Bernard Berrian, setting a solid foundation for the future.
After his days as a Bulldog, Billy Volek spend a handful of years in the NFL with the Chargers and Titans. As a Titan, replacing an injured Steve McNair, he joined Dan Fouts, Dan Marino and Phil Simms to pass for over 400 yards in two consecutive games.
Ryan Colburn (Visalia, 2007-2010)
When I think of Ryan Colburn, I think of a fearless competitor. He had to be. After a few years as Tom Brandstater's understudy, Colburn was given the keys to an offense that featured future NFL talents such as Ryan Mathews, Marlon Moore, Chastin West, Devon Wiley and Seyi Ajirotutu. He stepped right in and was a gunslinger. He needed to be a gunslinger because there was no shortage of big time opponents for him to face. Twice, he went toe to toe with Wisconsin and was inches away from victory. He walked right into Camp Randall Stadium his first season and tossed the ball all over the field. Wisconsin had no answer for him that day.
When Boise State was at it's peak in 2009, yes they peaked in 2009, he went toe to toe with Kellen Moore. The Broncos sported a first round draft pick corner in Kyle Wilson, but Colburn had no problem targeting Devon Wiley with Wilson covering. Who could forget the gritty performance he put in at Illinois in a 52-51 shootout? He distributed the ball to a bevy of receivers, fed Ryan Mathews and even picked up some tough yards with his legs.
His senior season in 2010 saw him chuck ball all over the field in a dominating win over Cincinatti and grind out a late season, rain soaked win over Illinois. When you remember Ryan Colburn, you won't see the biggest numbers, but you will think of his grit and toughness against top notch opponents.
If you're still reading this, you're a true Bulldog fan. Check out my YouTube channel. You'll find a treasure trove of classic Bulldog Football and Basketball game highlights and complete game film. Subscribe @jimsweeneysgolfcart.
