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Football: Former Vikings Blandin (Fresno State), Potter (San Jose State) star in opening-night wins

Former Vikings Josiah Blandin (left) and Kenny Potter had big games in their season debuts on Thursday. (Blandin photo by Kiel Maddox, Potter photo by sjsuspartans.com)
Former Vikings Josiah Blandin (left) and Kenny Potter had big games in their season debuts on Thursday. (Blandin photo by Kiel Maddox, Potter photo by sjsuspartans.com)

Two key parts of the 2014 Long Beach City College Football team that helped lead the squad to the top offense in the state last season made their presence felt in their NCAA Division I debuts on Thursday night. Wide receiver Josiah Blandin scored his first touchdown of the season in Fresno State's 34-13 win over Abilene Christian University while quarterback Kenny Potter had a big night in San Jose State's 43-13 victory over New Hampshire University.

Blandin's first catch of his Fresno State career couldn't have been any better. He raced down the left sideline and hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zack Greenlee to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 first-quarter lead. On the night, Blandin led all Fresno State receivers with 71 yards on four receptions

Potter was nearly perfect in his first game with the Spartans. He came off the bench to complete 13 of 14 passes for 167 yards. He nearly had a pair of touchdown passes, but they were called back because of penalties. Potter also ran seven times for a gain of 68 yards, including a 25-yard dash.

Former Viking wide receiver De'Quan Hampton (USC), tight end Clayton Granch (New Mexico State), and running back Anterio Bateman (Georgia State) will also make their NCAA Division I debuts on Saturday. USC hosts Arkansas State at 8 pm, New Mexico State travels to Gainesville to face Florida, and Georgia State hosts UNC Charlotte in the Georgia Dome.