Brandon Connette joins the Fresno State Bulldogs

Nov 23, 2013; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils Brandon Connette (18) scores a touchdown against Wake Forest Demon Deacons Brandon Chubb (48) and Zach Thompson (98) at BB&T Field. Duke won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Ellen Ozier-USA TODAY Sports

It was reported some time ago that Duke quarterback Brandon Connette wished to transfer from Durham to the west coast to be closer to his cancer-stricken mother. It turns out Fresno State, just a 4-hour ride from Connette’s home, is close enough.

The Bulldogs may be a perfect home for the senior in more ways than proximity. Having already graduated at Duke, Connette is eligible to play straight away, and he’ll be joining a team that’s auditioning for a new signal caller with the graduation of their star quarterback, Derek Carr.

Connette certainly isn’t in the same league as Carr as a passer, but he has learned under noted quarterback guru David Cutcliffe, and is coming off his most productive season. Playing in 13 of 14 games (he missed the Navy game with an ankle injury), with 3 starts, Connette completed 90 of 145 passes (62.1%) for 1212 yards and 13 TDs, with 6 interceptions. Strong and mobile, Connette also came in regularly in running situations, and added 337 yards and 14 TDs on 101 carries.

The current Fresno State quarterbacks possess a total of 12 FBS passes between them, and Connette’s experience certainly gives him the edge over the competition. The others (Brian Burrell, Myles Carr and Zack Greenlee) have the advantage of at least a year in the system though. Whoever wins the job will have a ton of supporting talent to make his job a lot easier.

On another note, the thoughts of the Saturday Blitz crew are with Connette and his family as they deal with these trying times.