Fresno State Athletics
Football Adds Michigan to 2002 Schedule
1/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 10, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Athletics Director Scott Johnson wasted little time getting settled into his new position before making a significant announcement. Johnson, who was named athletics director Monday, announced today that Fresno State will playing Michigan on Sept. 21 at Michigan Stadium. It will be the first game for Fresno State against the Wolverines, one of the most storied programs in NCAA history.
In order to play Michigan, Fresno State had to forego a game with Oregon State, slated for that same date. The school exercised a buyout clause in the contract with the Beavers.
"I know how hard football scheduling is and I'm the type of person who believes in honoring these types of contracts," Johnson said, "However, the opportunity to play Michigan in football is something that doesn't come along very often. I believe it's in the best interest of our program to capitalize on our 2001 success and playing Michigan in the 2002 season will be a big event for our program and our fans. This gives us an incredible schedule and again give us unprecedented exposure."
The game is expected to be televised by ESPN or ABC.
"We are excited to play the Wolverines," said head coach Pat Hill. "I have always said we want to play as tough a schedule as possible and it doesn't get much tougher than going into the 'Big House.' We are very excited about this game and our entire 2002 football schedule."
The Wolverines are coming off a season which saw them finish with an 8-4 record and ranked No. 20 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. It marked the 17th consecutive season Michigan finished in the top 25. The Wolverines won the 1997 national championship and their 813 all-time wins are the most in NCAA history. Michigan Stadium holds 107,501 fans and the Wolverines have led the nation in attendance for four straight seasons. Michigan ended its season with a 45-17 loss to No. 8 Tennessee in the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Bulldogs, who were rated as high as No. 8 in the nation during the 2001 season, finished with an 11-3 record, losing to Michigan State 44-35 in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. Fresno State returns 17 starters from that team, which tied the school record for most wins in a season. The Bulldogs placed second in the Western Athletic Conference and made their third consecutive bowl appearance.
Fresno State's schedule also includes a game at Oregon on Sept. 14. The Ducks finished No. 2 in the national polls. Also on the non-conference schedule are home games against San Diego State and Colorado State.
