Despite convincing win, CSM still has work to do

"I liked that we did some good things in certain situations," said CSM coach Larry Owens. "It's the first game, we were inconsistent. I wasn't totally happy with our total performance. I liked the fact the kids came out and matched their intensity with Chabot. Obviously, you like to win, so that's a plus."

With a lot of inexperienced players at key skill positions, CSM had some question marks. Those were turned into exclamation points when the Bulldogs rolled up 387 yards of offense and limited Chabot to just 184.

Fullback Joe Griffin dispelled any questions about his ability to replace all-conference back Sione Tavake. Griffin rushed for 210 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns.

"They gave us the fullback and they didn't take it away. That explains Joe Griffin's game," said offensive coordinator Bret Pollack. "I know he can hit the hole hard, as I said before, he hits it harder than anyone we've ever had. It was just whether he could break through that second level of linebackers. I knew he'd get past the first level with his speed, now (the question is) breaking through linebacker tackles. He did a good job of that. (It was a) big relief."

Griffin's backup Sean Connor also played well, rushing for 41 yards on just seven carries.

"In my mind, (the offense) all starts with the fullback," Pollack said. "Anything over five yards a carry, I'm happy with."

Sophomore quarterback Dion Pickett didn't exactly light things up Saturday, completing just four of 11 passes for 74 yards. Backup Kevin Linnell had a better completion ratio - 3 for 4 - but less yardage - 40.

"The front kind of confused the linemen at the start and we had guys free. That didn't help Dion's confidence," Pollack said. "I want to see effort more consistently. I put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. We were probably in the wrong play 60 percent of the time."

O'Bannon biding his time

Sophomore receiver/returner Brandon O'Bannon has a lot to live up to replacing Marque McCray, who moved on to the University of Nebraska.

Although O'Bannon had more receptions (32-24) and more receiving yards (595-505), it was McCray who was the Bulldogs big-play man last season returning punts and kicks, averaging more than 33 yards on kickoff returns and nearly 16 yards per punt return.

O'Bannon is asked to step up and assume the big-play role this season, which got off to a quiet start Saturday. The Jefferson High product returned one kick 17 yards while not making a catch.

"In my mind I'm trying to get Brandon the ball 10 to 15 times a game," Pollack said. "I'm trying on my end and there's work he has to do on his end."

A lot of players would be champing at the bit to get more involved, but O'Bannon realized it was only the first game of the season and that his time will come. He was happy to see teammate Griffin have a breakout game.

"To see someone else come in and step up, it takes the pressure off me," O'Bannon said.

O'Bannon is a relatively reserved personality. Pollack joked that the first question O'Bannon answered would be the most he's heard the sophomore speak.

O'Bannon would just rather have his actions do the talking.

"What Marque did last year, it will be big shoes to fill," O'Bannon said. "I'm capable of doing what he did and more."

Just like old times

Defensive end Shawn Sopoaga is no stranger to the end zone.

The 6-2, 285-pound sophomore converted a 2-point try last season and scored his first collegiate touchdown against Chabot, bullying his way into the end zone from a yard out.

Sopoaga started his high school career at San Mateo as a quarterback before moving to running back his senior season with the Bearcats. He switched to defensive end when he redshirted a year at Idaho State before coming back to CSM.

"I never thought I'd be a [defensive] lineman," Sopoaga said. "I always wanted to be one of the pretty guys and run the ball and stuff. Things happen. Got big. Play defensive line."

Sopoaga is part of Pollack's "Power" package near the goal line, replacing Tavake, who owned the goal line last season.

The score did not make Sopoaga greedy, however.

"I'm happy with what I get," he said.

This week: at College of Sequoias

COS is coming off a dominating performance against San Jose City College, pounding the Jaguars 57-18.

The Giants limited San Jose to just 89 yards of total offense while the Giants' offense racked up nearly 500.

"They have some athletes," Owens said. "They fly around. They have some good skills positions. They're better than they were a couple years ago."