CHRIS DENMAN HONORED ON SENIOR DAY
AT BULLDOG STADIUM IN FRESNOPosted November 19, 2006, by thswarriors.com
A rare photo opportunity brings Warrior alums Chris Denman (79) and Jerad Romo (13) together after
the Fresno State-SMU game in Bulldog Stadium in 2004. Denman was honored this past Saturday on Senior Day in Bulldog Stadium. The seniors performed well, as the Bulldogs defeated Idaho, 34-0.
Former Tehachapi Warrior Chris Denman was one of 18 Fresno State seniors recognized on Senior Day this past Saturday (Nov. 18) at Bulldog Stadium in pre-game ceremonies that featured family and friends, including his father, Warrior head coach Steve Denman.
Denman, now 6-6 and 305 pounds, has been a mainstay on the Bulldog offensive line this season. The Bulldogs defeated Idaho 34-0 on Saturday to improve their record to 3-3 in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play and 3-7 for the season.
For the Bulldogs, the 2006 campaign has been a down year. Part of the Bulldog frustration has been a number of key injuries to the offensive line --- creating a lot of problems throughout the season for new Bulldog QB Tom Brandstater and veteran Bulldog head coach Pat Hill. Denman is the only offensive lineman to start every game in the same position.
In the Idaho victory, Chris Denman was quoted by the Fresno Bee as saying, "This is the first time all year since maybe the season opener (Nevada) that things are clicking. We ran the ball well and protected Brandstater. I'm very proud of this offensive line."
Coach Hill said Denman's presence has been a great benefit for the team. "Denman's been a stability guy since he's been here," Hill said of the one-time defensive lineman who has started 44 games since his redshirt freshman year. "He's a guy we're really going to miss. He's been a rock for us. He's never missed practice, he's never missed a game. He played with a broken foot in six games last year (2005)."
Denman's fine play is being rewarded, with an invitation to participate in the Hula Bowl this year in Hawaii along with teammates Dwayne Wright and Roshon Vercher (Bakersfield High). Wright is the leading running back for the Bulldogs this season, while Vercher is a blocking fullback. Wright, a senior, with one year of athletic eligibility left, has opted to forego another collegiate season to enter the NFL draft.
The Bulldogs have two WAC games remaining on their 2006 schedule. Fresno State will travel to Louisiana Tech on Friday, Nov. 24 (ESPN2) and then finish out the season at San Jose St. on Saturday, December 2.
(2006) One of the most unheralded but consistent players on the Bulldog squad ... will contend for honors in this season ... a former walk-on that quickly earned a scholarship with consistent play ... enters the 2006 season having started 34 consecutive games ... held down the right tackle position for the better part of three full seasons and each season the Dogs have produced a 1,000-yard rusher ... a strong player who has developed by his outstanding work ethic on the field and in the weight room ... came to Fresno State as a defensive lineman but was switched to offensive line during the spring of 2003. CHRIS DENMAN BIO
(2005) Started all 13 games at right tackle ... a key factor in an offense that ranked as high as fifth in the nation in scoring ... a huge contributor in Fresno State's offense that scored 42 points against No. 1 USC, most allowed by a Pete Carroll team.
(2004) Started all 12 games ... a part of what may have been the best offensive line in school history ... helped the Bulldogs' rushing offense become one of the best in the nation, averaging 228 yards per game, the 15th-best in the nation ... Fresno State also had 36 rushing TDs, the fourth-best total nationally.
(2003) Played in 11 games, starting nine ... improved as much as any lineman during the year.
(2002) Redshirted.
High School: Played defensive end and tight end at Tehachapi High ... was all-league at both positions ... had 13 sacks and seven touchdowns his senior year ... an area All-Star and an all-area selection following his senior season.
Personal: Born Oct. 7, 1983 ... parents' names are Judy and Steve Denman ... has a sister, Kelli ... enjoys wakeboarding and snowboarding ... lists his parents as the people who he most admires.
Source: http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/
