Fresno State (3-2, 1-1 MW) vs RV/- Washington State (4-1)
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 4 p.m. PT | FS1 | Valley Children's Stadium (40,727) | Fresno, Calif.
MEDIA COVERAGE
TV - FS1
Play-by-Play - Trent Rush
Analyst - Petros Papadakis
Sideline - N/A
Radio - Bulldog Sports Network
Play-by-Play - Paul Loeffler
Analyst - Pat Hill
Sideline - Cam Worrell
Social Media: Twitter: @FresnoStateFB | Instagram:@fresno_state_football | Facebook: FresnoStateFootball | YouTube: FresnoStateAthletics
Live Stats: BulldogsLive.com
TICKETS
A LOOK INSIDE
Series: Washington State leads, 3-2
Head Coaches:
Tim Skipper
Fresno State Record (Years): 4-2 (1st season*)
Career DI Record (Years): Same
Jake Dickert
Washington State Record (Years): 19-17 (4th season)
Career DI Record: Same
QUICK LOOK
The Fresno State football team is coming off of its bye week, following five games in a row to open the season.
Saturday is Boots & Buckles Night at Valley Children's Stadium.
Fresno State has played three of five games on the road.
This weekend's game is the first in Fresno for the Bulldogs since Sept. 14.
Fresno State is averaging 40,055 fans at home this season (two games, vs Sacramento State and New Mexico State).
The 4 p.m. PT kickoff this weekend is the earliest home kickoff for the Bulldogs since a 4 p.m. kick against New Mexico on Nov. 13, 2021.
Although five games into the season, the Bulldogs don't play their conference home opener until October 26 against San Jose State.
Fresno State and Washington State will face each other as nonconference opponents for the last time this weekend (with the way conference realignment is going, who knows if this is factual but it is until at least 2026 I think).
On Sept. 12, Fresno State announced it would be joining the Pac-12 conference in 2026 along with Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, Colorado State and San Diego State. Since then, Utah State and Gonzaga have been the most recent additions to the Pac-12.
Fresno State and Washington State last met in the 2022 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl that saw the Bulldogs earn a dominant 29-6 victory to cap a historic season in Fresno State football history. With the win over Washington State last time, Fresno State became the first program in FBS history to begin the season 1-4 and end with 10 wins (10-4).
Senior defensive end Devo Bridges was named the Defensive MVP of the bowl game with career-highs in tackles (8), TFL (2.0) and sacks (2.0).
Fresno State returns home this weekend, following a tough loss on the road at UNLV on Sept. 28.
Washington State is receiving votes in this week's AP Poll. Of the Bulldogs' six opponents so far this season, three have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both of the polls – No. 9 Michigan (AP), No. 23 UNLV (Coaches Poll) and RV Washington State (AP).
Fresno State's cornerback duo of Cam Lockridge and A'zillion Hamilton enter another week as the FBS leaders in passes defended with Lockridge at No. 1 (1.8/game) and Hamilton at No. 2 (1.6/game).
Transfer wide receiver Raylen Sharpe had his best game as a Bulldog last time out at UNLV, finishing with 116 yards on 10 catches for his first 100-yard game as a Bulldog.
Kicker Dylan Lynch did not have a field goal in the game at UNLV, snapping an 18-game streak with at least one field goal for the junior kicker.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
Fresno State and Washington State will be meeting for the sixth time in program history on Saturday.
This is the second time in program history that Fresno State will be playing Washington State at home, and first time since 1992.
In their previous matchups, Fresno State is 2-3 all time against Washington State, including a 1-2 record on the road, 0-1 at home and a 1-0 record when meeting at a neutral venue
During their last meeting, Fresno State defeated Washington by a final score of 29-6 in the LA Bowl on December 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
Washington State has outscored Fresno State 140-127 in the series
Within their previous five contests, Fresno State has averaged 25 points a game against the Cougars
Fresno State's lone win against Washington State on the road came on September 14, 1991 when they defeated the Cougars by a score of 34-30
Fresno State's largest margin of victory against Washington State came during their matchup in the LA Bowl where the Bulldogs won 29-6
Both teams are coming into this matchup of off byes
Landon Wright, listed as a wide receiver for Washington State, is from the Fresno, California and attended Clovis West High School
In 2023, Washington State finished the season with a 5-7 record, and struggled heavily on the road where they went 1-5.
Washington State is coming into this matchup with 4-1 record and is coming off a loss on the road to #25 Boise State on Sept. 28 where the Broncos defeated the Cougars 45-24.
Washington State is averaging 41.8 points a game throughout their first 5 games this season
Washington State is 1-1 against Mountain West conference opponents this season, having beaten San Jose State on Sept. 20 while losing to Boise State on Sept. 28
Fresno State enters this contest with a 3-2 overall record, including a perfect 2-0 record at home