FRESNO - Fresno State record-setting quarterback and current starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders Derek Carr will be making a return to Bulldog Stadium next Friday, Oct. 3, to serve as the honorary captain for the Mountain West league game between the `Dogs and San Diego State.Carr was a second-round draft pick of the Raiders last spring and is completing 63 percent of his passes with three touchdowns in three games for the Raiders so far this season. Oakland plays Miami on Sept. 28 in England and has a bye weekend after that, allowing Carr the opportunity to return for Fresno State to honor him.
Since head coach Tim DeRuyter's hiring prior to the 2012 season, he has made an effort to reconnect with alumni and he introduced the honorary captain program as a way to welcome back the former Bulldogs who built the program.
The Oct. 3 Night in Navy game between the Aztecs and Bulldogs kicks off at 7 p.m. and is being televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Tickets are still available through the Bulldog Ticket Office located in the Save Mart Center, can be purchased over the phone by calling 559-278-DOGS or online by clicking here.
In Carr's career at Fresno State, which spanned from 2009-13 and saw him start the last three years for the Bulldogs, he set 27 new school records and 41 Mountain West records. Carr became one of 19 quarterbacks in FBS history to throw for over 10,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in a career and was one of just four to have over 5,000 yards passing and 50 touchdowns in a single season, doing so his senior year in 2013.
The itinerary for being an honorary captain includes eating pregame meal with the team where the captain can address the squad, being in the locker room pregame to hear DeRuyter's final speech to the team before the game, running out of the tunnel with the `Dogs prior to kickoff and an on-field recognition in front of the Red Wave in Bulldog Stadium during the first quarter.
Other honorary captains for this season include Pairs Gaines (running back, 1998-01) for the Nebraska game and last weekend against Southern Utah it was Jesse Hardwick (offensive lineman, 1989-92) and Isaiah Green (defensive back, 2008-11).
Following the Oct. 3 game against San Diego State, former Bulldog Stephone Paige (wide receiver, 1981-82) will serve as an honorary captain for the Nov. 1 home game against Wyoming.
PAST HONORARY CAPTAINS
2012
- Sept. 1 vs. Weber State - Chris Pacheco (1984-85) & Kevin Sweeney (1983-86)
- Sept. 29 vs. San Diego State - Michael Pittman (1993-97) & Ron Rivers (1991-93)
- Oct. 20 vs. Wyoming - Lance Deuker (1989-91) & Jeff Thiesen (1988-91)
- Nov. 3 vs. Hawai'I - Ben Jacobs (2007-10) & Stephen Spach (2001-04)
- Nov. 24 vs. Air Force - Ledio Fanucchi (1951-53), Jack Mulkey (1938-40), Darryl Rogers (1956); Coach (1966-72) & Rod Stubblefield (1951-53) - all military veterans during the Salute to Services game
2013
- Aug. 29 vs. Rutgers - Kevin Jordan (1996-00) & Rodney Wright (1998-01)
- Sept. 7 vs. Cal Poly - Billy Volek (1996-99)
- Sept. 20 vs. Boise State - David Carr (1997-01), Lorenzo Neal (1990-92) & Dwayne Wright (2003-06)
- Oct. 19 vs. UNLV - Kelly Skipper (1985-88) & Jeff Tedford ( (1981-82)
- Nov. 2 vs. Nevada - Tyler Clutts (2004-07) & Joe Schey (1999-02)
- Nov. 23 vs. New Mexico - Bernard Berrian (1999-03), Brandon Molale (1993-94) & Clint Stitser (2004-07)
- Dec. 7 vs. Utah State - Robbie Rouse (2009-12)
