Fresno State vs. Cal Poly game guide: What to know about Bulldogs’ matchup vs. Mustangs
Fresno State returns home on Saturday for a game against Cal Poly and the Mustangs could be in a tough spot playing a Bulldogs team that gave away too many chances last week in a 31-24 road loss to No. 11 Oregon.
The Big Sky Conference has had an impressive start to the season with Montana beating a Pac-12 program at Washington, UC Davis winning at Tulsa and Eastern Washington winning at UNLV. But the Bulldogs have not played nice with FCS opponents lately, rolling up the score on the likes of Idaho, Incarnate Word and Southern Utah.
In its past 10 matchups against FCS opponents, Fresno State has won every one by an average of 30.4 points and only one game was decided by less than one touchdown. That one, North Dakota in 2011, was a 27-22 victory.
Even in the Bulldogs’ one-win season in 2016 they managed to beat Sacramento State by plenty, winning 31-3.
Fresno State vs. Cal Poly
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Bulldog Stadium
TV: CW59 (Ralph Wood, Cameron Worrell, Kevin Miller)
Find it fast: AT&T (Channels 59, 1059), Comcast (705, 1059), DirecTV (59), Dish Network (59)
Radio: Bulldog Sports Network (Paul Loeffler, Pat Hill, Marcus McMaryion)
Find it fast: Fresno (AM1340), Bakersfield (AM970), Visalia (AM1130), Modesto (FM92.9), Stockton (AM1280), Bulldogs App, iHeartMedia app
The coaches: Kalen DeBoer (4-4 in second season), Beau Baldwin (1-3 in second season, 95-38 overall)
The records: Fresno State 1-1, Cal Poly 1-0
The series: Fresno State leads 32-10-2
Last meeting: Fresno State won 41-25 in 2013
Tickets: 559-278-DOGS or gobulldogs.com
About Cal Poly: Fresno State will see some familiar faces on Saturday in wideout Chris Coleman, defensive end Emeka Ndoh and tight end Micah Pasion, all of whom spent time in the Bulldogs program. The Mustangs also have a number of FBS transfers including quarterback Spencer Brasch from Cal. Brasch hit 23 of 38 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns last week in a season-opening 28-17 victory at San Diego. Coleman had one of those TD receptions and caught four passes for 76 yards and the score from 35 yards out. … The 318 passing yards by Brasch were the most by a Cal Poly quarterback since 2009 when Tony Smith threw for 409 yards against South Dakota. … San Diego outgained Cal Poly in that game by a 425-362 margin and had a nearly 17-minute edge in time of possession (38:15 to 21:45), but had two costly turnovers including an interception return for a TD midway through the final quarter that gave the Mustangs a 28-10 lead. … Cal Poly has a number of San Joaquin Valley products on its roster including Coleman (Garces), Ndoh (Immanuel), running back Chuby Dunu (Buchanan) and safety Dominick McCormack (Redwood) all on the depth chart.
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 DJs and the Keysha’s Impromptu Band. The food truck lineup includes Bulldog Burger Bistro, Tacos El Mandilon, YoCo Lemonade and Union Jack’s Pasty Shop.
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.
Heroes Night: Fresno State is honoring active duty and veteran military members and first responders, making tickets available to those groups for $10. Fans can also donate $10 tickets to active duty and veteran military members and first responders, and the athletics department will match every donated ticket. The Bulldogs will wear custom uniform elements and carry flags of military and first-responders organizations onto the field.
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 game day 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, game day 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 4 p.m. through the end of the first quarter with stops on Barstow, Woodrow and at the Maple Avenue Roundabout.
This story was originally published September 7, 2021 at 8:00 AM.