This is a big day for Cal State Bakersfield  men's soccer. I'll catch up with the team next week. 
Here's the press release from CSUB.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Playing in front of one of the largest regular season crowds (2,658) ever to witness a CSUB men’s soccer match might have been a bit intimidating, but the Roadrunners eventually found their footing and, ultimately, a shocking victory in a 2–1 upset of the University of Portland Friday night in Portland.
It was CSUB’s debutante performance as an NCAA Division I soccer program, and it couldn’t have gone any better for the Roadrunners, who overcame and early Portland goal to win in extra time. Sophomore forward Mike Esparza (Ridgeview HS) scored the match–winner nine minutes into overtime, taking a quick feed from freshman Alberto Navarro on the counter attack and finishing from 16 yards out.
“With the atmosphere, the large crowd and the high level of competition, tonight was what we envisioned when made the move to Division I,” said CSUB Head Coach Simon Tobin. “They are a very good team and we had to take some pressure, but we also created some marvoulous chances and couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”
It didn’t look like the night would have a happy ending for the ’Runners, who were out–shot 13–5 in the opening period and 31–13 for the match. Bryan Irwin scored from just inside the box in the ninth minute to give the Pilots a 1–0 lead. Portland kept the pressure up through halftime, but Bakersfield goalkeeper Steve Trojanowski kept his team in it until the offense found a groove in the second half.
“Steve was definitely man of the match,” said Tobin. “You take his performance in the spring against (NCAA Champion) UC Santa Barbara and then the effort he gave tonight and you can see he is developing into one of the top goalkeepers in the country.”
Halftime proved to be the critical juncture for the ’Runners. A few motivational words from Tobin helped create the spark that led to the offensive outburst in the second half.
“I told the boys at halftime that they could play with a bit more abandon,” said Tobin. “I believe that was the turning point — that we were able to take their pressure and then come through that to apply some pressure of our own.”
Trojanowski made 18 saves, to keep it a one–goal game until freshman Robbie Gouk tied the score at 1–1 with a 25–yard blast to the lower left corner. The match stayed tied until Esparza played the role of hero in extra time.
Bakersfield concludes play at the Nike Portland Invitational against No. 14 Washington Sunday at noon. The Huskies played New Hampshire to a scoreless draw in the opening match Friday.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
OFFICIAL PRESEASON STATE RATINGS ’07
 
The Top 25 teams in the JC Athletic Bureau’s official California Community College Football Coaches Association PRESEASON  State Poll, with first-place votes in brackets and won-loss  records;  total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous  ranking:
 





Rk  College                            Record   Pts.  Fnl ‘06 Rk.
1.    El Camino [8]                   12-2     221      1
2.    San Francisco                10-2     214      2
3.    Bakersfield            [1]    11-2     179      5
4.    Santa Rosa                    10-1     168      6
5.    Saddleback                    11-1     161      4
6.    Fresno                                8-3       150       8
7.    Reedley                            6-4       149      12
8.    Grossmont                        10-2     147      7
9.    Foothill                                10-1     144      3
10.  San Mateo                        7-4       126      11
11. Moorpark                             9-2       123      9
12.  Mt. San Antonio                 9-2       116      10
13   Sequoias                            7-4       107      15
14.  Laney                                    9-2       94       16
15.  Orange Coast                    7-4       78       17
16.  Sierra                                    6-5       76       25
17.  Santa Ana                            7-4       70       18
18.  Victor Valley                        9-2       68       14
19.  Glendale                            9-2       65       13
20.  Chaffey                                7-3       62       22
21.  Palomar                            6-5       53       21
22.  Diablo Valley                    8-3       34       19
23.  Sacramento                        7-4       29       nr
24.  Allan Hancock                    7-3       28       20
25.  Modesto                             7-4       26       nr
Others included:
Butte (2-8), Siskiyous (6-5), Citrus (7-4), Chabot (6-4), Feather River (6-5), Monterey Peninsula (9-2), American River (3-7).
 
 
 Official CCCFCA / JCAB Regional Ratings
 2007 PRESEASON  Southern California Top 20
Rk  College                        Record    Pts.  Fnl ‘06 Rk.
1.     El Camino            [7]      12-2       178       1
2.     Saddleback                    11-1       163       3
3.     Bakersfield            [1]      11-2       156       2
4.     Grossmont                        10-2       148       4
5.     Mt. San Antonio                9-2       144       6
6.     Moorpark                        9-2       109       5
7.     Chaffey                            7-3       96        11
8.     Glendale                        9-2       91        7
9.     Victor Valley                    9-2       87        8
10.   Palomar                            6-5       85        13
11.   Orange Coast                7-4       83        9
12.   Citrus                                7-4       79        14
13.   Santa Ana                        7-4       72        12
14t.  Allan Hancock                7-3       69        10
14t.  Canyons                            5-5       69        19
16.   Fullerton                            5-5       45        17
17.   Riverside                            5-5       41        16
18.   Mt. San Jacinto                7-3       35        15
19.   Cerritos                            3-7       30        nr
20.   Long Beach                    3-7       25        nr
        & nbsp; Others with multiple mentions:
Compton (6-4), LA Pierce (1-9), Pasadnea (3-7), LA Southwest (4-6), LA Harbor (4-6).
‘
  2007 PRESEASON  Northern California Top 20 
Rk  College                            Record    Pts.  Fnl ‘06 Rk.
1.     San Francisco    [7]        10-2      158       1
2.     Santa Rosa                    10-1      135       3
3.     Fresno                                8-3       131       4
4.     San Mateo                        7-4       128       5
5.     Reedley                             6-4       126       6
6.     Foothill                  [1]       10-1      116       2
7.     Laney                                9-2       108       8
8.     Sequoias                            7-4       102       7
9.     Sierra                                    6-5       95        10
10.   Sacramento                        7-4       58        12
11.   Diablo Valley                    8-3       56        9
12.   Chabot                                6-4       47        14
13.   San Joaquin Delta            4-6       46        19
14.   Siskiyous                             6-5       43        15
15.   Modesto                             7-4        36        13
16.   American River                3-7       31        nr
17.   Monterey Peninsula        9-2       30        17
18.   Butte                                    2-8       26        nr
19.   Feather River                    6-5       25        10
20.   Merced                                3-7       24        nr
       Others with multiple mentions:
Cabrillo (6-4), Yuba (6-5), Mendocino (5-5), Solano (5-5), West Hills (1-9)
[First place votes in brackets.]

Curtis Cornelson couldn't wait to get up to Colorado State after signing with the school in January.

That excitement has led all the way to a starting nod in Rams' season opener against Colorado, Saturday according to the Rocky Mountain News.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker was the WSC North Division Player of the Year this season, being named a JC All-American and a first-team All-California selection on the Region III team as chosen by the JC Athletic Bureau and California Community College Football Coaches Association. He was also a two-time, first-team All-Western State Conference North Division selection by WSC coaches.

Three former Bakersfield College football players are getting some national exposure this weekend.
Syracuse receiver Taj Smith will be in action 5 p.m. Friday on ESPN, while East Carolina receiver T.J. Lee and running back J.R. Rogers are playing at 9 a.m. Saturday at No. 9 Virginia Tech on ESPN.
Throw in BC's opener against Reedley at 7 p.m. Saturday and that's two days full of Renegades in action.
Since I'll be covering the Bakersfield High-Sacramento-Grant football game on Friday night, my DVR is already set to record the Syracuse-Washington game. I went to UW, but I think Smith's a great kid, so my feelings are torn on this one.

I wish I would have known about this sooner, but I stumbled across the JC Grid-wire Top 30 Preseason Rankings that were originally posted on Aug. 9
It's interesting, BC is listed at No. 5, while Week 2 opponent El Camino is No. 1 in the nation. Here is what JC Grid-wire had to say.
"1. El Camino (12-2), 2nd - John Featherstone's defending California champions are loaded at every position. No apparent weaknesses. Sophomore QB Boo Jackson leads the way and he could be a super. The Warriors host Grossmont in opener then go to Bakersfield. Survive that, win it all.
"5. Bakersfield (11-2) 8th - If the Renegades get by Reedley and El Camino in first two games watch out. QB Jacob Bower, 6-3, 238, bounceback from BYU, is the key and he has a pair of brilliant receivers in Attrail Snipes and Brandon Banks. Jeff Chudy’s defense is loaded. This may be a return to the glory years for the Gades."

Taj Smith, who played at Bakersfield College, was recently named a team captain of the Syracuse football team.
"Our players voted for two people whose actions speak so loudly we can hardly hear them speak," said Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, who played at Garces and BC, in a press release on the Syracuse athletics Web site. "Jameel and Taj have rare work habits and truly inspire others through their actions.”
Senior defensive end Jameel McClain will be the defensive captain.
From the press release: "A 2007 All-American candidate, Smith had 12 receptions for 227 yards and three touchdowns, including a 65-yard touchdown reception at Illinois, in just four games in 2006. Nine of his 12 receptions resulted in either a touchdown or first down for the Orange. He injured his collarbone in the Orange’s fourth game and missed the rest of the season. Smith, who enrolled at Syracuse after playing two years at Bakersfield Community College, was granted a medical hardship by the NCAA and has two years of eligibility remaining."

Sarah Norman has been named the Division I Independent Volleyball Player of the Week after her performance at the University of Oregon Kickoff Classic last weekend.
The Cal State Bakersfield junior earned all-tournament honors after leading all tournament players in kills (5.50) and points (5.95) per game for the weekend. She led the Roadrunners to their first NCAA Division I win in a sweep of Idaho State by posting a match-high 16 kills with a .359 attack pct. and a career-high 14 digs She notched a career-high 21 kills in the season-opener vs. Kansas and 18 kills against 2006 NCAA Tournament qualifier Oregon.
The weekly NCAA Division I Independent Player of the Week award is nominated and voted on by sports information directors at the seven independent schools. Earning honorable mention honors for the week ending Aug. 26 were Kristy Haeckel (NJIT), Sarah Fleming (Providence), Kellie Phillips (Texas-Pan American) and Jessica Endres (Utah Valley).
CSUB opens its home schedule with four matches in the Icardo Center this week, begining with a visit from Stony Brook (NY) University Thursday at 3 p.m. The ’Runners will host Idaho State Friday (7 p.m.), Saint Mary's College Saturday (7 p.m.) and UC Davis Sunday (3 p.m.).

First let me say, for anyone who doesn't think officials work hard, might I point to the injured official who had a bag of ice taped to his right calf.
In all seriousness, I thought Bakersfield College played well on Wednesday. Sure, the Renegades have plenty to work on before next week, but they did some good things.
First, aside from one fumble, Ben Estill (running back) looked like he could be a force for the 'Gades this year. He runs hard and doesn't go down easily.
I heard him talking to a teammate on the sidelines and he said the shoulder pads he was wearing made it harder for him to protect the football.
Running back Pat Patterson took a few solid shots early in the game, but came back with some big runs later on.
The defense continued to play well, but what was impressive was BC's reaction to big plays. After a big run by College of the Sequoias quarterback Arkelon Hall, Mark Johnson crushed a Giants' running back for a loss.
Later on that drive, COS completed a big screen pass, but defensive back Keith Thompson killed the Giants' momentum with an interception.

I arrived at Bakersfield College just in time for BC coach Jeff Chudy to jump on his players after a lackluster special teams session.
He made it clear he expected better when the team scrimmages College of the Sequoias 6 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium.
While Wednesday's matchup doesn't mean much, it's important for the 'Gades to start to settle on some starters.
There are plenty of wide open positions, but the scrimmage should go a long way to sorting out the depth chart.
In addition to that, there's always the added incentive of hitting someone else for the first time. I'm anxious to see the 'Gades' D-line at work. They were beasts last week.
I'm equally interested to see how BC's O-line performs.
The 'Gades were a bit banged up at practice today with William Beathia sitting with his left ankle taped and Brock Mueller's left knee wrapped.

It was a tough night for the offense, but I can't say enough about the performances of Attrail Snipes and Brandon Banks. All you have to do is get the ball to those guys in space and they make big plays.
There were times during the scrimmage when Banks would be surrounded by three or four defenders, but he would break free for extra yardage. He can burn people deep down the field, but he's more even more effective on short routes where he can catch the ball and make people miss.
Along with the two receivers, I was blown away by the quickness on the defensive line.
I still can't get a read on the quarterback situation. As Snipes said after the scrimmage, they have their good days and bad days.
For a 220-pound back, Patterson is surprisingly quick. He had some big runs last night and he's a tough runner as well.
Coach Jeff Chudy seemed pleased with the scrimmage, but it was clear he couldn't wait to break down the film. It will be interesting to see how far the team progresses between now and its scrimmage with COS next week.

From a CSUB press release:

Cal State Bakersfield and KERN NewsTalk 1410 AM have signed a new, six–year agreement to broadcast all Roadrunner men’s basketball games through the 2012–13 season, CSUB announced Wednesday.
In 2007–08 KERN will broadcast all 29 regular season men’s games as it has since 1986.
The total value of the deal to CSUB, including cash and other considerations, will be $165,000.
“We’re extremely pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with American General Media and KERN NewsTalk 1410,” said Karen Langston, CSUB’s director of sales and marketing. “We’re moving up to NCAA Division I competition this season, but the team at AGM and KERN has always provided Division-I quality broadcasts. This agreement will come as great news, not only to local fans, but to Roadrunner boosters around the country who listen in at www.kernradio.com.”
The first regular season broadcast will come from Titan Gym in Fullerton where the ’Runners open the season against Cal State Fullerton Nov. 9.
KERN will also broadcast the first NCAA Division I home game in CSUB history Nov. 17, when Fresno State travels to Rabobank Arena.

Since the Roadrunners open their women's soccer season with the Alumni game Saturday, I thought I'd pass along a note or two.
The women's team is going to young, and the schedule is tough.
In the recently released Soccer Buzz National Top 30, two of CSUB's opponents are ranked. The 'Runners' home opener is against Long Beach State Aug. 31, which opens the year ranked No. 25.
CSUB also plays Cal during the SMC Fall Soccer Classic in Moraga Sept. 7. The Bears are listed in the receiving votes category.

The men's schedule also has a highly ranked opponent on it. During the 'Runners' opening weekend at the Nike Portland Invitational, CSUB plays the University of Washington, which is ranked No. 18 in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.

The schedules for both teams are loaded with interesting matchups, yet another benefit of a D-I schedule.

I spent some time talking to Devin Pruett's mom and Gerrit Otten's dad during Bakersfield College's practice Monday.
Pruett is at BC after a year at South Dakota State and Otten is back on the field after tearing the ACL in his right knee against Clovis West last season.
Both players are defensive backs: Otten is playing strong safety and Pruett is playing free safety.
Pruett decided to return to Bakersfield for a number of reasons. It was too cold, the town was too small and he was a little homesick. Pruett is playing safety for the first time, but with his speed and athleticism, it shouldn't be a difficult transition for him. He could also see some time at running back; he rushed for 1,876 yards and 25 touchdowns his senior year.
Both players graduated from Liberty and both were named to the Californian's All-Area team as seniors.
Other first team All-Area players starting their careers with the Renegades include Liberty offensive lineman Brock Mueller, East's Michael Smith and South's Joe Maldonado.
Running back update:
People have asked who is going to tote the football for the 'Gades this season. I'm working in a story for Wednesday, but here's an update. Pat Patterson, who played some last season, is back for his sophomore year. Taft alum Ben Estill, who sat out last year, will also be in the mix. Estill was the Californian's offensive Offensive Player of the Year in 2005. BC coach Jeff Chudy said there is a full stable of backs vying for the starting job.

The BC coaching staff expects a lot our of its receivers this season and I'm starting to see why. Both Brandon Banks and Attrail Snipes have made big catches in all three practices I've attended.
It's amazing how quickly they get behind the defense. I've also been impressed with the potential of William Beathia, the freshman out of Golden Valley. He struggles to hang onto the ball on short routes, but he's tall and capable of making adjustments on deep patterns.
It's been interesting to watch the intensity of the coaching staff. While the players struggled a little bit in their first practice with pads, the coaches began to raise their intensity to push the players through a tough afternoon practice.
After a day off Sunday, the Renegades will really get going Monday. Expect a lot more hitting, which should lead to more intensity, which should also make the practices a little more fun to watch.

It's always hard to gauge football talent without pads. It's easy for players to look good when there is no risk of collision.
But, after the first day of practice with helmets, Bakersfield College seems to be headed in the right direction.
I was impressed with the hustle during conditioning and the offense looked sharp during 7-on-7 drills. It will be interesting to follow how the quarterback position shakes out. If you look at the position based on size, BYU transfer Jacob Bower has it locked up. He definitely has the look of a D-I quarterback. But, BC coach Jeff Chudy hasn't promised the position to anyone and sophomore Dustin Powell is going to challenge Bower for reps.
The competition for the job is friendly and, in the end, should make both quarterbacks better players.
Bower does have a live arm, and little trouble finding receivers deep down field.
It was nice to see a new contingent of local players make some plays Thursday. East's Jan Wollitz and Golden Valley's William Beathia snared a few passes and South's Joe Maldonado showed off his quickness.
Since it was the first day and there isn't a roster, it's going to take some time for me to sort out the players. But, I'll be posting frequent updates leading up to the season opener.
The Renegades put on the pads for the first time Saturday, which should give me more to discuss.

When she graduated from Cal State L.A., Maija Rohde knew she wanted to keep running. She also wanted to find away to inspire people.
As Cal State Bakersfield’s new cross country coach, Rohde gets to do both.
“I love leading my team and I know so much about running because I’ve lived it,” Rohde said. “I’ve learned a lot about life from running. I haven’t always been the greatest runner, but I’ve learned a lot through hard work and dedication.”
Rohde helped lead Cal State L.A. to a fourth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships last season.
While running for coach Gretchen Corrales, Rohde became a part of what she called, “a great little running family.”
It’s that kind of environment she expects to bring with her to Bakersfield.
“(I want to) inspire people and let them know they have the ability to get where they want to go,” Rohde said.
Before competing at Cal State L.A., Rohde spent time at the Air Force Academy. She left for basic training the day after she graduated from high school in 2002 and competed in cross country her freshman year.
However, a knee injury forced her to the sidelines and almost ended her career. A friend who needed a training partner helped Rohde rediscover her love of running and she returned to the track for Air Force’s indoor season in 2004.
Then she decided she wanted to leave the military lifestyle behind and transferred to Cal State L.A. where she became an All-American in the 5,000 meters last season.
Now she’s taking the next step in her life, an opportunity she calls a “once in a lifetime” chance.

After three years as the head professional at Pine Mountain Club, Tracy Draa is taking over as the women’s golf coach at Cal State Bakersfield.
Draa replaces Bruce Burroughs, who stepped down to become the head pro at Bakersfield Country Club.
“I really love coaching,” Draa said. “Especially kids a little bit more serious about learning.”
In addition to being the pro at Pine Mountain Club, Draa coached boys golf and volleyball at Frazier Mountain High. Before becoming the head pro, she was an assistant for three years.
Before venturing back to into golf, she worked as a speech pathologist.
But she missed the game she grew up around. Her father, Bill Shaw, is a golf professional in Studio City in North Hollywood.
Draa takes over a program heading into just its second year. The team had five athletes last season and added six more in this year’s recruiting class.
“It’s really exciting,” Draa said. “With only a year under their belts. This year’s going to be huge compared to last year.
“The level of ability has just gone up, definitely.”
Because the position is currently part-time Draa would like to continue working at Pine Mountain Club on a limited basis. She said she also plans to give private lessons at The Links at RiverLakes Ranch.
“I’m probably going to teach and then I’ll be working here as well,” Draa said.

In the top left corner of Visalia’s Web site, there is an empty box score. Typically, that spot is reserved to generate anticipation for the next game.
However, at the bottom of that empty box score on Tuesday, there was a message printed in a rectangular red box: POSTPONED TRAGEDY.
Seven Oaks were injured in a car accident during the team's off day Monday.
“It was an unfortunate accident,” Bakersfield Blaze general manager Shawn Schoolcraft said. “Our thoughts go out to them. Postponing the game is the way we can help. We’ll do anything we can to help.”
Tuesday’s game at Sam Lynn Ball Park was postponed. It will be made up in a doubleheader Aug. 26.
The two teams will the first game of a two-game series Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

If you don't like the Cal State Bakersfield men's basketball schedule, you don't like college basketball. This is as good as it gets without being one of the big boys.
To get a Pac-10 team to travel to smaller school like CSUB is rare and a treat that should pack Rabobank Arena. If I had my way, we would skip football season and jump right into the Roadrunners' season opener at Cal State Fullerton Nov. 9.
It was exciting to watch CSUB meander through California and up into Utah last season for its seven D-I road games. It didn't matter that the 'Runners won just one of those games. It didn't matter that all the games were on the road.
Every game was fresh, that is, until CSUB played out its final season in the D-II CCAA conference.
This year, everything remains fresh. The excitement started to build with each new recruit signed in the offseason and continues with a schedule that should impress the Big West conference.
It wasn't easy for coach Keith Brown to put this schedule together and he deserves plenty of credit for the slate of games he has assembled. It's because of his connections that schools like Utah State are willing to enter into long-term contracts.
The schedule also served as a recruiting tool, as the coaches not only showed off high-caliber opponents, but with games in San Diego, Sacramento, Long Beach, Portland, San Jose and Boise, the team also gets the opportunity to travel to fun places.
In the future there will be road trips to high-profile schools like UCLA. But from beginning to end, the 'Runners have a schedule full of games worth watching.
With games like these, the arena should be full. I'll see you there.

Here is the complete Cal State Bakersfield men's basketball schedule.

Nov. 9    at Cal State Fullerton    7:05 p.m. 
Nov. 13    at Saint Mary's College    7:05 p.m.    
Nov. 17    Fresno State        7:30 p.m.    
Nov. 19    Weber State        7 p.m.    
Nov. 21    at Cal State Northridge    7 p.m.    
Nov. 25    Pepperdine        2 p.m.    
Nov. 30    San Jose State        7 p.m.    
Dec. 8    Utah State        7:30 p.m.    
Dec. 11    Oregon State        7 p.m.    
Dec. 15     at Cal Poly SLO        7 p.m.    
Dec. 18    at Weber State        7 p.m.    
Dec. 22    at UC Riverside        7 p.m.    
Dec. 28    South Dakota State        7 p.m.    
Jan. 2      UC Davis            7 p.m.    
Jan. 5    Pacific            7:30 p.m.    
Jan. 7    Loyola Marymount        7 p.m.    
Jan. 9    at San Diego        7 p.m.    
Jan. 15    at Sacramento State    7 p.m.    
Jan. 19    Utah Valley State        7:30 p.m.    
Jan. 23    at Long Beach State    7:35 p.m.    
Jan. 25    at Portland        7 p.m.    
Jan. 29    at San Jose State,         7 p.m.    
Feb. 6    at Wyoming        7 p.m.    
Feb. 12    at UT-Pan American    7 p.m.    
Feb. 16    Long Beach State        7 p.m.    
Feb. 20    at Boise State        7 p.m.    
Feb. 22    UT-Pan American        7 p.m.    
Mar. 1    at Utah Valley State    7 p.m.    
Mar. 4    Cal State Fullerton        7 p.m.

All home games at Rabobank Arena   

In addition to CSUB’s tournament Feb. 20-22, 2009, the ’Runners will play in Fresno State’s tournament March 9-14 as well as a home-and-home series with the Bulldogs April 3-5 in Fresno and the 7-8 in Bakersfield.
In back-to-back weekends in May, the ’Runners will play at the University of Nebraska the 8-10 and at the University of Missouri the 15-17.
CSUB coach Bill Kernen purposely set the road trip for the tail end of the season to give his club the opportunity to mature as a group.
About 90 percent of CSUB’s schedule for 2009 is set, however, the WAC recently adjusted its conference schedule for that season, which impacts a few games for the ’Runners.
During the process of scheduling for 2009, Kernen has already set some things in motion for games in 2010.