- Fresno State won its 12th-straight game last Saturday, extending its active winning streak and keeping a hold on the second-longest streak in the FBS, behind only the top-ranked Georgia.
- Fresno State has started a season 3-0 for the first time since 2013. Two of those three wins came on the road in Power 5 territory at Purdue (Sept. 2) and at Arizona State (Sept. 16). It was the first time since 2004 that Fresno State defeated two Power 5 opponents in the regular season, both on the road.
- Fresno State has scored points in 17 consecutive quarters, dating back to the fourth quarter of the 2022 Mountain West Championship Game on Dec. 2.
- Fresno State’s defense gained eight turnovers (5 INT, 3 FR) last weekend at Arizona State, tying the program’s record for most turnovers gained in a game. The record was set when Freson State had six INTs and two FR in its game against Montana State on Nov. 16, 1968.
- Fresno State senior cornerback Carlton Johnson was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, leading Fresno State’s defense to a 29-0 shutout victory on the road at Arizona State last Saturday.
- Sixth-year senior Erik Brooks began his career as a walk-on in 2018, and has since earned his scholarship, a starting spot on the offense, and the title of team captain. Brooks leads the Bulldogs with 28 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 123.0 yards per game. He ranks fifth in the FBS in receiving yards per game and sixth in total receiving yards. The senior has had two 100-yard receiving games in three games played this season.
- Brooks and Keene connected on 11 completions last weekend, it was the most receptions by a Bulldog since Josh Harper (12) on Oct. 10, 2014 at UNLV.
- DE Kemari Munier-Bailey has had a hand in three of Fresno State’s turnovers this season as he has two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Munier-Bailey became the first Bulldog player since 2020 to record one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in a game as he did both at Arizona State. He is currently second in the FBS standings in fumbles recovered this season.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
- The teams will be meeting for the first time in program history this weekend. Saturday’s game marks the third game this season where Fresno State is meeting with an unfamiliar opponent.
- Saturday’s contest is also Fresno State’s third this year against a first-year head coach.
- Fresno State safety and Ohio native Dean Clark will meet his former teammates this weekend. Clark spent three seasons at Kent State as a safety. During his time there he played 34 games and totaled 109 solo tackles in his career. Clark also earned a career high 13 tackles in a single game vs. Wyoming (’21).
- Wide receiver Isaiah Batton transferred to Kent State from Fresno State and has seen participation in two games (UCF, CCSU) in his first season with the Golden Flashes. Batton spent two seasons with the Bulldogs (2021-22). He appeared in two games and was a Mountain West scholar-athlete in his final season with the ‘Dogs.
- Saturday is Boots and Buckles Night at Valley Children’s Stadium.
- Fresno State looks for its sixth-straight home win, dating back to Oct. 15, 2022.
- If Fresno State wins, it will be the first time since 2013 that the ‘Dogs finish undefeated against nonconference opponents.
Fresno State Athletics unveils the Elevate Campaign
CVV News l May 9, 2023
University officials announced on Tuesday the ‘Elevate’ campaign, a transformational, multi-year vision for the modernization of Fresno State’s athletic facilities, including Valley Children’s Stadium and other venues. The aspirational master plan provides a roadmap to help position Fresno State athletics for sustained success while the Bulldogs continue to compete and win at a national level.
“The time is now,” says Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “For over a century, Fresno State athletics has rallied the Valley, uniting people from all walks of life behind a common cause and generating excitement about our university. Just as our winning teams fuel passion and pride in our fan base, they also fuel interest in future students near and far, giving them a pathway to become familiar with the university. In addition, our teams are the gateway to national and international brand recognition.”
With an estimated goal of over $250 million to implement this master plan, Fresno State is exploring several innovative sources of funding for the numerous projects outlined – most importantly, private support.
“The extent of our facilities upgrades is dependent upon securing the necessary funding,” Jiménez-Sandoval says. “This type of investment in Fresno State’s future opens the doors to limitless opportunities for the university, on and off the court, as well as our entire region.”
erry Tumey, Fresno State’s Director of Athletics, says this is a critical time for the future of Fresno State, and with community support, the Bulldogs can ascend to new heights.
“Ascension to the level we envision requires regional investment. To complete all of the much-needed facilities enhancements identified in this master plan, it will take a significant investment from everyone associated with our university,” Tumey says. “This campaign will not only enhance our ability to provide championship experiences for our dedicated student-athletes and the Red Wave – but, perhaps most importantly, it will ensure that Fresno State, with our storied tradition of athletic success, is positioned to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics nationally while further shining a bright light on the entire Central Valley region we so proudly serve.”
The master plan outlines a vision to elevate all 18 of Fresno State’s sports programs and further helps to advance gender-equity efforts on campus. The vision identifies areas of facility renovation as well as new construction, including:
- Significant renovations to Valley Children’s Stadium, home of Bulldog football, including: a new press box and premium club tower, improved accessibility to the stadium, multiple new premium seating and social gathering spaces, renovated suites, new video boards, new bathrooms and concessions offerings, and many other structural and brand enhancements throughout the venue.
- A fully renovated and expanded Duncan Athletic Building, including new locker rooms, meeting spaces and coaches’ offices, plus a nutrition center for all student-athletes.
- A renovated Ricchiuti Academic Center to enhance and expand the academic support provided to student-athletes, allowing them to excel in the classroom and as future leaders.
- The expansion of the Ricchiuti Strength and Conditioning Center.
- The build-out of new team offices for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs and a new sports performance center inside the Save Mart Center.
- A new clubhouse for the baseball program, including a new locker room, team meeting spaces and a hospitality deck for fans.
- A hospitality deck at Margie Wright Diamond with modernized amenities for Bulldogs softball fans.
- The construction of a new stadium to house both the soccer program and the track and field and cross country programs, located at Warmerdam Field. The relocation of the soccer stadium also allows for enhanced pregame festivities and expanded tailgating opportunities for Bulldog football games.
- The construction of a dive tower and enhanced seating at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
- The construction of a new clubhouse for the tennis program and a new scoreboard at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center.
- Enhancements to team facilities for the volleyball program.
- The construction of a new covered arena for the equestrian program.
With the master plan unveiled, Fresno State will launch significant fundraising efforts to move the plan forward. Future construction will take place in phases as the approval and funding for each phase is secured.
he university’s announcement of its plan to elevate athletics facilities follows a banner football season in which Fresno State won its fourth Mountain West championship, won the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press top 25 poll. Average attendance during the 2022 season spiked to 39,067 per game, representing one of the largest home crowds in all of “Group of Five” football and Fresno State’s highest season average since 2005.
The university continues to elevate academically and athletically. Fresno State ranked No. 36 in Washington Monthly’s 2022 National University Rankings of colleges and universities that best serve the country in the areas of social mobility, research and public service. This is the seventh straight year Fresno State has been the highest-ranked California State University campus.
Fresno State was one of just five universities to appear in both the college football AP top 25 poll and the Washington Monthly top 40 national universities ranking, alongside Michigan, Washington, Notre Dame and UCLA.
More information, including the full master plan, can be found at GoBulldogs.com/elevate.
“Fresno State Athletics – Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities” – The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California’s Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBullldogs.com/elevate or call the Bulldog Foundation offices at 559-278-7160.
