Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico game guide: What to know about matchup vs. Lobos
The Fresno State Bulldogs fell flat on their faces in front of a full stadium of fans on Saturday, blown out by rival Boise State 40-14 in a game they needed to win to remain in control of their destiny in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference.
That is gone now, though the Bulldogs’ chances of playing a championship football game on Dec. 4 still are alive. They need help to get there, but they also need to close with victories over New Mexico and at San Jose State.
The first part of that equation starts with the Lobos, who are struggling with an offense that has not done anything well over its past seven games, not that it was traveling all that well heading into this stretch.
But in those seven games and the 83 series that were not ended by the end of a half or a game, they have either punted, lost possession on downs, had a turnover or missed a field goal on 87.9% of them.
They have punted 51 times, turned it over on downs seven times and with an interception of a fumble 14 times and whiffed on one field goal attempt.
New Mexico is averaging just 9.7 points over that stretch, which follows victories over FCS Houston Baptist and New Mexico State to open the season, and that includes a punt return and a fumble return touchdown.
The Lobos’ offense has produced just 10 scores with six touchdowns and four field goals.
For the Bulldogs it would appear a spot to regain some confidence before tuning in a key matchup between San Diego State and Nevada, who are tied atop the West Division at 4-1 and play on Saturday night in Carson.
One of those teams will absorb a second conference loss in that game. Fresno State, which is 4-2 and holds a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Aztecs and Wolf Pack, needs the other to lose another game while winning out against New Mexico and after a bye week at San Jose State to win the West.
San Diego State still has to play Nevada, at UNLV and Boise State, while Nevada plays at San Diego State, Air Force and at Colorado State.
Fresno State vs. New Mexico
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Bulldog Stadium
TV: Stadium/CW59 (Ari Wolfe, JJ Raterink)
Find it fast: AT&T (Channels 59, 1059), Comcast (705, 1059), DirecTV (59), Dish Network (59)
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 (10-6 in second season), (Danny Gonzales 5-11 in second season)
The records: Fresno State 7-3, 4-2 in MW; New Mexico 3-6, 1-4
The series: Fresno State leads 13-5
Last meeting: New Mexico won 49-39 in 2020
The line: Fresno State minus-25
Tickets: 559-278-DOGS or gobulldogs.com
About New Mexico: The Lobos lost at home last week to a UNLV team that had not won a football game since the end of the 2019 season, dropping 14 games in a row. … New Mexico is ranked last in the Mountain West Conference in scoring offense and total offense and is averaging just 14.3 points per game and 4.1 yards per play. If those numbers hold, that would be the fewest points per game in the conference since 2011 when the Lobos put up just 12.0, and it’s a matter of percentage points but also the fewest yards per play since 2010 when the Lobos were at 4.0. … Quarterback play has been an issue for the Lobos. Starter Terry Wilson has missed the past three games with an elbow injury; and in the loss to the Rebels, Isaiah Chavez was sidelined with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Chavez last season as a true freshman walk-on ripped up a COVID-depleted Bulldogs’ defense, hitting 14 of 18 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown and rushing for 95 yards and another score in a 49-39 victory. … If New Mexico doesn’t have Wilson or Chavez, it could be in deep trouble. Freshman C.J. Montes and junior Trae Hall also have taken snaps this season, but combined have hit just 11 of 35 passes (31.4%) for 44 yards with two interceptions. … The Lobos leading receiver, freshman Luke Wysong, has just 23 receptions in nine games, but that’s nine more catches than any other wideout, back or tight end on the team. … New Mexico is ranked fourth in the Mountain West in passing defense, and Fresno State gets more than 70% of its total yards through the air. But the Lobos’ success could be the product of volume and opponents more than anything – they have played Texas A&M (94th in the nation in passing), UNLV (98th), Wyoming (120th), San Diego State (127th) and Air Force (129th). Then again, the Lobos beat New Mexico State 34-25, and an Aggies’ offense that is ranked 23rd in the nation in passing offense hit only 18 of 45 passes (40%) for 236 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
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 The Box. The food truck lineup includes Ring Your Bell Teppanyaki, Taqueria Jaliscience and Wing Your Bell.
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.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.