FRESNO, Calif. — The Fresno State football team, 105-strong, had nothing to say about tomorrow's game with the University of Hawai'i or the North Korea nuclear crisis.

We know this because Bulldogs' head coach Pat Hill told us so in no uncertain terms.

"They've got nuthin' to say," Hill barked to the media, consisting of two reporters from Honolulu, on his way out the gate after the Bulldogs' practice yesterday, forbidding interviews with players and assistant coaches. "And you can write it that way. We're closed down."

The fact that it is Hill's long-time habit of writing the scores of his games on the visor of his cap suggests it is the Bulldogs' 1-4 start and 1-8 slide since last season and not machinations in Pyongyang that prompted the cone of silence.

But while the muzzle is on the 'Dogs, fans have taken to the airwaves and e-mails here in expressing their frustration and disenchantment with the Bulldogs' struggles since last season's near-upset of then No. 1-ranked Southern California.

"We had over 200 e-mails after that Utah State loss," said Anthony Sondergaard of "SportsLine" on KXEX radio. "People here are in shock," he said.

Likewise at KFIG radio, host Paul Swearengin's afternoon show has been solid Bulldog football all week. "It is," he said, "what everybody is talking about."

There is hand-wringing over Hill's refusal to so far bring in, much less start backup Sean Norton, in place of Tom Brandstater. There is second-guessing of Hill's philosophy of playing "anybody, anytime, anywhere." And there is wonder if Hill, who had brought the Bulldogs to unaccustomed levels of attention and success in a 10-year tenure, can pull the Bulldogs out of the deepest tailspin of his stewardship.

Most of it is now focused on tomorrow's meeting with UH. "If they are going to pull anything out of this season they absolutely have to beat Hawai'i here (tomorrow)," Swearengin said. "I think people are hoping it (1-8) is the bottom but I don't think people are hopeful that with the schedule coming up, Hawai'i, Louisiana State and Boise State, that things are going to turn around soon."

Indeed the mood here beyond Bulldog Lane, where Bulldog Stadium, the football offices, practice field and weight room are located, is disbelief even if Hill said he has been too occupied with trying to turn the team around to take a public sampling.

Said Hill: "Our fans have been great. What we need to do is hold up our end of the bargain and win football games. That's our job."

Opinions on North Korea will apparently have to wait.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.