Ryan Wendell News

Cut-down days are among the hardest of the year, according to Bill Belichick. "You develop a relationship with the guys," the Patriots coach said.

Richard Pacheco was naked entering this football season. "There was no comfort blanket," said Pacheco, a leading candidate to start at center for Fresno State.

Ever since Matt Cassel graduated Chatsworth High School, the Patriots' backup quarterback has been waiting for his time to shine.

Fresno State consistently has the toughest non-conference schedule of any Western Athletic Conference team.

More than 3,000 tickets have been sold for the U.S. Olympic Softball Team's exhibition at 8 p.m. May 16 in Visalia and the remaining 1,000-plus tickets are expected to sell out, Visalia Miracle League founder ... via The Fresno Bee

“Haley slid into the base and the second baseman fell on her”

Fresno State escaped with a 3-2 victory against New Mexico State in the first-round of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday in Honolulu. via The Fresno Bee

“Fairness was important to me in this particular decision in that our students had been spared significant student fees for athletics in the past”

Fresno State President John Welty on Tuesday approved a steep hike in a much-debated student fee that will help the athletic program while expanding access to academic extras. via The Fresno Bee

“The good news is they both couldn't ask for better situations.”

Former Fresno State football players Clifton Smith and Damon Jenkins are now on NFL rosters after signing rookie free agent deals on Sunday. via The Fresno Bee

“Marcus and Ryan are special, special young men”

For Fresno State head coach Pat Hill , another season has come and gone and even more of his players are living their professional dreams. via Fresno Bulldogs

“It was just the best choice, the best fit.”

Linebacker Marcus Riley had done his research in advance of all 32 NFL teams. So when the time came to decide which team to sign with, he was prepared. via The Fresno Bee

Wilson K's 11 in win over LA Tech - CSTV Justin Wilson fanned a career high 11 batters and Steve Susdorf became the fifth Bulldog to hit 50 career doubles as Fresno State earned a 14-5 win over Louisiana Tech ... via Rivals.com

“But we've agreed that we'd all be better served going in different directions.”

Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, San Jose State cornerback Dwight Lowery and Fresno State offensive lineman Ryan Wendell are among the prospects scheduled to visit the 49ers before the NFL draft April 26-27. The ... via San Jose Mercury News

Merling, Harvey, Kelly to visit 49ers The 49ers just released a partial list of the college players who will be visiting before the draft. via Sacramento Bee Newspaper

“We are pleased with the class as a whole and I'm very happy Matt decided to be a Bulldog. "[He is] another, big and physical player. He should compete early in his career at offensive guard.”

Matt Hunt, an offensive lineman from Carson High, signed a letter of intent to play football at Fresno State -- becoming the 23rd member of the Bulldogs' 2008 recruiting class. via The Fresno Bee

Rivals.com is the latest national site to opine that Michigan is not a Top 25 team next season. via Detroit Free Press

Valentine down to one? - Rivals.com Glendale College defensive end Grant Valentine took two official visits in December felt like he was ready to pull the trigger and make an announcement on his future college ... via Rivals.com

Two Fresno State players will participate in senior all-star games this month. Defensive tackle Jason Shirley, who was suspended most of this past season for various violations, will play in the Hula Bowl today ... via The Fresno Bee

“He's been a great representative of our program, as a person, a leader, a student and obviously as a very good football player.”

In what has become a wonderful tradition, the Fresno State football program once again has a presence in the prestigious East-West Shrine Game. via Fresno Bulldogs

“The kids really enjoyed the town. The fans were awesome. Great turnout. We were underdogs. The game went into overtime. It gave us a chance to play against a very good football team then.”

Three years later, the catch and fall remain one of the program's most memorable moments, the finish among the most exciting in Fresno State's 20-year bowl history. via The Fresno Bee