He was always the "other" Carr. For years, that was the shadow. If you lived in the Central Valley in the late 2000s, you knew the name, but it was mostly because of David. The older brother had been the No. 1 overall pick, the face of a new franchise, and the guy who put Fresno State on the map in 2001. Derek was just the kid with the cannon arm waiting in the wings.
But then 2013 happened. Honestly, if you look back at those box scores now, they look like a glitch in a video game. 50 touchdowns. Over 5,000 yards. It wasn’t just good; it was offensive to the concept of defense. Derek Carr Fresno State football isn’t just a chapter in a school record book—it’s the peak of the "Air Raid" era in the Mountain West that changed how people viewed "mid-major" quarterbacks.
The Rough Start Nobody Remembers
Most people think Derek just walked onto the field at Bulldog Stadium and started carving up secondaries. Not even close. He actually spent a lot of time watching from the sidelines.
He redshirted in 2010. Before that, he was a backup to Ryan Colburn. Imagine being a high-profile recruit with a famous last name and having to wait three years to really "own" the team. That kind of patience is rare now with the transfer portal, but Carr stuck it out.
When he finally got the keys in 2011, things weren't exactly smooth. The team went 4-9. He threw 26 touchdowns, which was solid, but nine interceptions and a losing record didn't exactly scream "NFL legend." It was frustrating. You could see the talent, but the wins weren't there. Then came the coaching change. Tim DeRuyter replaced Pat Hill, and the offense went from a pro-style grind to a high-octane spread.
That was the spark.
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That 2013 Season Was Absolutely Ridiculous
We have to talk about the senior year. It’s mandatory. If you weren’t staying up late to watch Mountain West after-dark games, you missed a masterclass.
Carr didn't just lead the nation in passing; he lapped the field. He finished with 5,083 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. Think about those numbers for a second. To hit 50 TDs in 13 games, you’re averaging nearly four scores a game. He had games where he just looked bored because the defense couldn't get within five yards of his receivers.
The Davante Adams Connection
You can't talk about Derek Carr Fresno State football without mentioning the guy wearing number 15. Davante Adams. Before they were teammates in Las Vegas, they were a cheat code in Fresno.
In 2013 alone, Adams caught 131 passes. 24 of those were touchdowns. It was the ultimate "pitch and catch" relationship. Teams knew it was going to Adams. The fans knew it. The popcorn guy in the third row knew it. It didn't matter. Carr would put the ball in a window the size of a shoebox, and Adams would snag it.
Breaking the Record Books
By the time he left, Carr had set 27 school records. 27! Here is a quick look at the ones that still make people do a double-take:
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- Career Passing Yards: 12,842
- Career Passing TDs: 113
- 2013 Passing Yards: 5,082 (leading the entire FBS)
- 2013 Passing TDs: 50 (tied for 4th most in FBS history at the time)
- TD-to-INT Ratio: 113 to 24. That is a 4.71 ratio, which is elite at any level.
He won the Sammy Baugh Award. He was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. He basically owned the conference for 24 months.
Why the "System Quarterback" Label Was Wrong
There was a lot of talk back then—and even during his draft process—that he was just a product of the system. Critics said he threw too many screens. They said his yards were "empty" because the Mountain West didn't have SEC-level secondaries.
That's a lazy take.
If it were just the system, every Fresno State QB after him would have put up 5,000 yards. They didn't. Carr had a lightning-quick release that NFL scouts drooled over. His ability to check out of a bad play at the line of scrimmage was what really set him apart. He wasn't just a thrower; he was a coach on the field. He took a program that had slipped into mediocrity and dragged them to an 11-2 record and a Top 25 finish.
The Jersey Retirement and the Legacy
On September 2, 2017, Fresno State retired his No. 4 jersey. It was a big deal. He joined his brother David (#8) in the rafters. It’s pretty wild when you think about it—one family basically owns the record books of a Division I program.
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But his impact wasn't just about stats. He stayed for his senior year when he could have probably been a mid-round pick the year before. He wanted to finish what he started. He wanted that conference championship. When they beat Utah State 24-17 to win the Mountain West title in 2013, it felt like a weight had been lifted off the entire city of Fresno.
He also excelled in the classroom, which gets ignored way too often. He was an Academic All-American. He graduated with a degree in recreation administration. He wasn't just a "football guy"; he was a pillar of that campus.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Fresno Days
People think the 2013 team was a powerhouse from top to bottom. Truthfully? The defense struggled. A lot.
There were games where Carr had to score 40 or 50 points just to stay in it. Look at the New Mexico game in 2013—he threw for 522 yards and seven touchdowns. Seven! They needed almost every one of them to keep the win streak alive. He played under immense pressure knowing that if he had one "off" quarter, the team would probably lose.
That pressure is what made him ready for the NFL.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you’re looking to truly appreciate the Derek Carr Fresno State football era, don't just look at the season totals. Do these three things to get the full picture:
- Watch the 2013 San Jose State game: It was a shootout for the ages. Carr threw for 519 yards and 6 TDs, but the Bulldogs lost 62-52. It perfectly illustrates how much he had to carry that team on his back.
- Compare the "Carr Era" to the years following: Look at the drop-off in offensive production immediately after he and Adams left. It proves it wasn't just the scheme; it was the personnel.
- Check the TD/INT ratio: In 2013, he threw 50 touchdowns and only 8 picks. In a high-volume spread offense, that level of ball security is almost unheard of.
Derek Carr didn't just play for Fresno State. He redefined what a Bulldog quarterback looks like. He turned a "little brother" narrative into a legendary career that arguably surpassed his brother’s collegiate impact. Whether you love him or hate him in the pros, his time in the Valley was pure magic.