Fenwick Doesn’t Need Boise State Scouting Report

As uncharted as the territory is for Jim Fenwick on the journey he’s about to start, he at least has an idea of what the immediate road looks like.

Fenwick begins his major college football coaching career Saturday night when Cal State Northridge, a Division I-AA school, plays at Division I-A Boise State in a nonconference opener.

It is a big step for Fenwick, who built national powerhouses at Valley and Pierce colleges, but who has not been a head coach at any level higher than junior college.

The anxiety, he admits, has been increasing for days. But it could be worse. The Matadors could have faced not only a stronger opponent in Fenwick’s debut, but one he didn’t know at all.

Boise State, however, features quarterback Nate Sparks and tailback Reggie Etheridge, two players familiar to Fenwick.

The Broncos rely on an option attack and Fenwick’s teams at Valley the past six seasons defended well against that scheme.

“They are very big threats to what we hope to accomplish Saturday,” Fenwick said. “I don’t want to underestimate any other weapons they have but it starts with the quarterback and the tailback.”

Sparks, a 6-foot-1 junior transfer from Bakersfield College, had an 18-1 record in two seasons as a starter with the Renegades, traditionally a national junior college power.

His only loss? A 24-14 setback last season to Fenwick and Valley in a Western State Conference game at Bakersfield, where the Renegades generally trample visiting teams with their potent ground attack.

“The bottom line is [Sparks] is really a good athlete,” Fenwick said. “He has a lot of dimensions you have to be concerned about.”

Etheridge is a 5-8 senior from Hancock College who crossed paths with Fenwick and the Monarchs in a WSC game two seasons ago.

Valley won, 36-25, but Etheridge had 70 yards in 19 carries and one touchdown, caught three passes for 79 yards and one touchdown, and returned four kickoffs for 70 yards.

“All I remember was the back of his jersey running down the field,” Fenwick said. “He got the ball on a draw play one time, takes it and makes about a zillion moves and makes everyone look like they are standing still.”

Etheridge left a few defenders in his dust last year at Boise, gaining 811 yards and scoring five touchdowns. He had 25 receptions for 217 yards, which makes him the team’s top returning receiver.

Etheridge will run out of the I-formation installed by Coach Houston Nutt and he can hardly wait.

It’s the same offense Etheridge operated from at Cabrillo High in Lompoc and at Hancock.

“It kind of brings back a lot of memories,” he said. “It’s great to get back in that system.

Etheridge said the Broncos, coming off a 2-10 season, have high expectations.

“We are going into the season with the attitude that if we complete our assignments and stay disciplined we can be successful,” he said.

Nutt, in his first year with the Broncos after several successful seasons at Murray State, likes what he sees in Etheridge.

“He’ll give you his heart and soul on every snap,” Nutt said. “He’s big time.”

That much Fenwick already knew.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Boise State vs. Northridge

What: Season football opener

When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.

Where: Bronco Stadium

Why: The Matadors take on the first of three consecutive Division I-A opponents before Big Sky campaign.