Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Boise State game guide: What to know about matchup vs. Broncos
Fresno State is at the top of the West Division in the Mountain West Conference, back in the national rankings at No. 25 in the Associated Press poll, and it should lose no focus with Boise State up next on the schedule.
The Broncos of all the teams in the conference should capture the Bulldogs’ attention, which might have been an issue when they were in a similar place a month or so back, coming off a win at No. 13 UCLA.
They were on a short week with a lot to distract from the task at hand and almost fell in a classic letdown spot, down two touchdowns before coming back to beat a 30-point underdog in winless UNLV.
The following week they lost at Hawaii, blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Boise State might be struggling, just 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play, but it remains one of the Bulldogs’ biggest rivals. As Fresno State offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said on Monday, “I feel like this is the premier rivalry in the league and we want to keep it that way.”
Fresno State does control its destiny in the West Division race – at 4-1 the Bulldogs are leading San Diego State and Nevada, both 3-1. But only three wins in four weeks will guarantee a division title and a spot in the conference championship game, starting with the Broncos, then New Mexico and after a bye week at San Jose State.
Fresno State vs. Boise State
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Bulldog Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network (John Sadak, Aaron Murray, Lindsay Rhodes)
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 (AM 1340), Bakersfield (AM 970), Visalia (AM 1130), Modesto (FM 92.9), Stockton (AM 1280), Bulldogs app, iHeartMedia app
The coaches: Kalen DeBoer (10-5 in second season), Andy Avalos (4-4 in first season)
The records: Fresno State 7-2, 4-1 in MW; Boise State 4-4, 2-2
The series: Boise State leads 15-7
Last meeting: Fresno State won 19-16 in OT in 2018
The line: Fresno State minus-5.5
Tickets: 559-278-DOGS or gobulldogs.com
About Boise State: The Broncos have alternated losses and wins since opening with a 36-31 setback at UCF and if that trend holds through this week they are in line for a loss to the Bulldogs. But that lose one, win one pattern fits a program that seemingly has lost the consistency of play that made it one of the best Group of Five programs the past two decades. Boise State has been ranked in the AP Top 25 or the AFCA Coaches Poll for at least one week in every season since 2002, a streak of 19 consecutive years, but are nowhere near the rankings this season. … Boise State has struggled to run the football and to stop the run, which puts it in a rough spot against the Bulldogs, with their newfound ground game. Boise State is 11th in the Mountain West averaging just 95.9 rushing yards per game at 2.6 yards per play – the yards per play is actually the worst in the conference. It also is allowing an average of 186.6 rushing yards per game at 4.4 yards per play. … Quarterback Hank Bachmeier does rank third in the Mountain West in passing behind Nevada quarterback Carson Strong and the Bulldogs’ Jake Haener, hitting 65% of his passes for 275 yards per game. Bachmeier has struggled in the red zone, though, hitting only 21 of 43 passes (48.8%) and the Broncos rank only ninth in the conference in red zone touchdown percentage. They have crossed the goal line on 20 of 35 red zone possessions, 57.1%. … Flip that around and Fresno State could have a problem. Boise State has allowed opponents to score a touchdown on only 12 of 31 red zone trips, the 38.7% the best in the Mountain West, and the Bulldogs have struggled there in some recent games. Fresno State was 50% against UNLV, 25% at Hawaii, 100% at Wyoming and against Nevada, but then 60% at San Diego State. … The Broncos present another pass protection challenge for the Bulldogs with tackle Scott Matlock and end Isaiah Bagnah among seven players tied for third in the Mountain West with 6.0 sacks. … The Broncos won at No. 10 BYU this season, but that is their only win in their past five matchups against ranked teams, a streak that started with a loss to Fresno State in the 2018 Mountain West championship game. Before that, they had four four of five and five of seven.
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 Dakota Crossing. The food truck lineup includes Bulldog Burger Bistro, Planet Vegan and Taqueria Jaliscience.
The area also features 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 on Woodrow Avenue between Shaw and Barstow avenues is $15.
A free shuttle will run starting at noon through the end of the first quarter with stops on Barstow, Woodrow and at the Maple Avenue Roundabout.