Fresno State vs. UConn game guide: What to know about Bulldogs’ football season-opener

Fresno State opens its 2021 football season against UConn on Saturday, matching up against an opponent that did not play football last season due to the coronavirus pandemic, has not had a winning season since 2010 and will come into Bulldog Stadium as a 27.5-point underdog.

For the Bulldogs, it is a chance to get back on a championship trail after their 2020 season was scuttled by COVID-19. Fresno State was 3-1 last season before rivalry games against San Jose State and San Diego State had to be canceled and then took severely depleted rosters to a road game at Nevada and against New Mexico in Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs have 19 returning starters on offense and defense including quarterback Jake Haener, running back Ronnie Rivers and wideouts Jalen Cropper, Josh Kelly and Keric Wheatfall from an offense that led the Mountain West last season in total offense and was second in scoring.

Fresno State vs. UConn

When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

Where: Bulldog Stadium

TV: CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor and Jenny Dell)

• Find it fast: AT&T (Channels 643, 1643), Comcast (418, 732), DirecTV (221), Dish Network (158)

Radio: Bulldog Sports Network (Paul Loeffler, Pat Hill, Cameron Worrell)

• Find it fast: Fresno (AM1340), Bakersfield (AM970), Visalia (AM1130), Modesto (FM92.9), Stockton (AM1280), Bulldogs App, iHeartMedia app

The coaches: Kalen DeBoer (3-3 entering second season at Fresno State), Randy Edsall (78-90 entering 16th season at UConn, 100-121 entering 21st season overall)

The records: Fresno State 3-3 in 2020, UConn 0-0 in 2020

The series: First meeting

Tickets: 559-278-DOGS or gobulldogs.com

About UConn: The Huskies have not played football since the 2019 season, but return a talented running back in Kevin Mensah, who rushed for 1,013 yards with nine touchdowns in 2019 and 1,045 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. Mensah enters the season 1,181 rushing yards shy of the school career rushing record. … UConn has never played a game in California, but has four players from the state including cornerback Tre Wortham from Stockton Bear Creek High and Delta College and linebacker D.J. Morgan from Norwalk. Morgan was a teammate of Bulldogs’ center Matt Smith at St. John Bosco High. The farthest west the Huskies have traveled for a game is Idaho, for a 2018 matchup at Boise State. … UConn was 2-10 in 2019 and was outscored over the season by a 486-227 margin. It scored less than 20 points in six of those games. … The Huskies have not had a winning season since 2010 and not been to a bowl game since 2015 when a loss to Marshall in the St. Petersburg Bowl left them 6-7.

If you’re going to the game …

Things to do

Bulldog Blvd., the new pregame fan fest located between Bulldog Stadium, the Soccer Stadium and Bob Bennett Stadium/Beiden Field, will open four hours before kickoff. This week will feature live music by Teezzy Radio and the band Hard Times, and with an 11 a.m. kickoff several food trucks will be serving brunch-type menu items including Bulldog Burger Bistro, Rolling Donut, Real Philly, Loving Seed and Taqueria Jaliscience.

The area also includes a family fun zone and a Fresno State students tailgate that includes an eSports trailer and giveaways.

On the west side of Bulldog Stadium in the White Lot there is the Nosotros Nook tequila tasting lounge where fans 21 and older can sample award-winning Blanco, Reposado and Mezcal and purchase crafted cocktails and other partner beverages. It also opens four hours before kickoff.

COVID-19 policy

In accordance with California Department of Public Health guidelines for mega outdoor events, Bulldog Stadium is open to its full capacity with no physical distancing requirements.

Those not vaccinated against the coronavirus are required to wear a face mask and everyone in attendance, whether vaccinated or not, is strongly encouraged to wear a face mask when in common areas of the stadium.

Masks also are required to ride gameday shuttle vans and carts.

Clear bag policy

Only clear bags of plastic, vinyl or PVC are allowed inside Bulldog Stadium and must not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.

A small clutch bag may be taken inside the stadium in addition to one of the approved clear bags.

An exception will be made for any necessary medical items, subject to inspection prior to entry into the stadium.

Got tickets?

Mobile tickets and parking passes have been implemented to expedite delivery as well as reduce person-to-person contact points.

All fans are encouraged to download their game tickets and parking passes to their smartphones. Additional information on mobile tickets is available at gobulldogs.com/mobiletickets.

Parking, gameday shuttle service

The cost of general parking in the Green Lot located on Woodrow Avenue between Shaw and Barstow avenues is $15.

A free shuttle will run starting at 8 a.m. through the end of the first quarter with stops on Barstow, Woodrow and at the Maple Avenue Roundabout.

This story was originally published August 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Fresno State vs. UConn game guide: What to know about Bulldogs’ football season-opener."