I had the chance to talk with Alexan Balekian of NBC 24 (KSEE) on the UCLA win, Ryan Mathews, Bear Pascoe and the upcoming showdown with Hawaii this coming Saturday.
Todd Kaufmann: There's those who say the win over UCLA, this past Saturday, wasn't as big of a win because of the amount of injuries to this Bruin squad. How do you respond to statements like that?
Alexan Balekian: This was a signature win for Head Coach Pat Hill and the Bulldogs. No Bulldogs football team had ever won in the Rose Bowl not to mention there was more red than blue in one of the most historical landmarks in sports. Both teams are dealing with injuries, no one ever talks about how the dogs offensive line is beat up. The anchor of the O-line Cole Popovich is out for the year and Center Joe Bernardi is also banged up. Oh by the way Tom Brandstater has only chipped in with 8 touchdowns in the last 2 games.
Todd Kaufmann: We all know about the rivalry with Boise State, but has the rivalry with Hawaii gotten even more heated especially after the allegations of mental and physical abuse by the Hawaii fans during the game against the Warriors and Bulldogs last year?
Alexan Balekian: Both rivalries are very intense and heated. The rivalry with Hawaii has turned into more hatred. In 2006 the Warriors put a beat down on the bulldogs on home soil with a record 68 points and the performed the Haka dance on the dogs turf. If that isn’t disrespectful I don’t know what is. The reason for Hawaii fans showing the dogs the love is because a few years ago it was rumored that June Jones was nailed with a screw driver that was thrown from the student section at Bulldog stadium. There was never any proof of this. In order for the dogs to reign supreme in the WAC they will have to demolish the Warriors and Broncos.
Todd Kaufmann: Talk a little bit about Seyi Ajirotutu. How dangerous of a target has he been for quarterback Tom Brandstater?
Alexan Balekian: I will “SEYI” this, Ajirotutu will be playing on Sundays. He has quickly become Brandstater’s favorite target and he has great hands. He is the playmaker the dogs need for the long ball.
Todd Kaufmann: How good is this receiving corps with not only having Ajirotutu, Marlon Moore and Chastin West, but also a much improved Ryan Mathews out of the backfield?
Alexan Balekian: In talking with Coach Pat Hill and Brandstater before the 2008 season kicked off, they told me that this offensive group is the most potent in Bulldogs History. Even more dangerous than the David Carr 2001 team. When healthy Moore and West are as good as anyone in the country running routes. But the Dogs secret weapon is Isaac Kinter out of the backfield, he is Brandstater’s third down weapon. Mathews, Miller and Harding will flat out wear down any defense and the Bruins can tell you that.
Todd Kaufmann: How big of an impact has Bear Pascoe made on this offense and with him being in his final year as a Bulldog, is there one guy you can point to and say "that's gonna be the next Bear Pascoe?"
Alexan Balekian: Bear Pascoe is the real deal. A first round draft pick in this years upcoming NFL draft. Pascoe dishes out the punishment and always has to be gang tackled. Pascoe will go down as the best tight end in program history. There will never be another Bear, but who knows maybe his brother Vince can grow into Bear’s shoe’s.
A big thanks to Alexan Balekian for taking the time to do the interview. If there are things you want to know about this Bulldog football team, you can drop me an email at thebulldogredwave@gmail.com and we'll be sure to pass them along.
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