No. 22 Fresno State vs. UNLV game guide: What to know about Bulldogs’ matchup vs. Rebels
The Fresno State Bulldogs, coming off a last-minute victory at No. 13 UCLA, will try to avoid a major letdown on Friday in their Mountain West Conference opener against UNLV.
Coach Kalen DeBoer mentioned to his team a 2017 loss to the Rebels, when Fresno State was at home and coming off four consecutive conference wins including a big 27-3 victory at San Diego State. The Bulldogs flopped big time in that 26-16 loss to UNLV, which was 2-5 and had lost three games in a row. But this Fresno State team is much more experienced than the 2017 group, the work habits more deeply ingrained.
The Bulldogs have several players from that team including defensive ends Arron Mosby and Kwami Jones, defensive tackle Kevin Atkins and running backs Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Mims, in case any refreshers are needed.
Fresno State also has dispatched overmatched competition with ease under DeBoer including a 45-0 victory over UConn in the season-opener and a 63-10 victory over FCS Cal Poly.
The point spread on this game has the Bulldogs favored by an extra-large 30.5 points, but they have won and covered the point spread in all four games the past two seasons when favored by 10 or more points.
Fresno State vs. UNLV
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Bulldog Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network (Jason Knapp, Donte Whitner)
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 (6-4 in second season), Marcus Arroyo (0-9 in second season)
The records: Fresno State 3-1, UNLV 0-3
The series: Fresno State leads 16-7
Last meeting: Fresno State won 40-27 in 2020
The line: Fresno State -30.5
Tickets: 559-278-DOGS or gobulldogs.com
About UNLV: The Rebels have yet to win a game under coach Marcus Arroyo, who was hired in 2019 one week before Fresno State hired Kalen DeBoer. That’s bad enough, obviously. But UNLV has lost eight of those nine games by 10 points or more, the only close one a 35-33 loss to FCS Eastern Washington to open the 2021 season. The Rebels have lost this season by 27 points at Arizona State (37-10) and by 45 to Iowa State (48-3), and last season by 28, 18, 13, 17, 31 and 17 points. … With the Bulldogs at No. 22 in the AP Top 25 and No. 25 in the Coaches Poll, UNLV will be taking on a ranked opponent for a third game in a row. … The Rebels are led by former Bullard High star Charles Williams, who is fifth in the Mountain West Conference in rushing, averaging 84.7 yards per game. Williams rushed for 153 yards and 121 yards in his first two games against the hometown team, but the Bulldogs have held him to 89 yards at 3.3 yards per play and 82 yards at 3.3 yards per play the past two matchups. … UNLV has started a different quarterback in every game this season, going with true freshman Cameron Friel against Iowa State, redshirt freshman Doug Brumfield at Arizona State and TCU transfer Justin Rogers in the opener. The Rebels also have Tate Martell, who played for the Rebels for the first time against the Cyclones. Martell, who once was a highly regarded prospect, started his college career at Ohio State and also played at Miami. … It was only six games, but last season UNLV started the same quarterback (Max Gilliam) in every game for the first time since 1996 when Jon Denton started all 12 games. … UNLV is 5-44 all-time against ranked opponents. Its last victory against a team in the Top 25 in one of the two major polls came in 2008 when it won at No. 15 Arizona State 23-20 in overtime. The last four of its victories over ranked teams have come on the road. …
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 La Encantadora Banda De Oro and Teezzy Radio. The food truck lineup includes Taqueria Jaliscience, Tacos Sinaloa and Tacos Mazatlan. Additional food trucks will be added during the week.
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 4 p.m. through the end of the first quarter with stops on Barstow, Woodrow and at the Maple Avenue Roundabout.