Fresno State Athletics
Football to Play Oregon State, Not Michigan, in 2002
1/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Athletics Director Scott Johnson announced today the Bulldogs' 2002 football game with Michigan, scheduled for Sept. 21, will not take place. Instead, as originally scheduled, Fresno State will take on Oregon State on that same date in Corvallis, Ore.
"Although we are very disappointed in how this process has evolved, we are going to continue to be aboveboard and very aggressive in our national scheduling," said Johnson. "We are adamant about continuing to play the best schedule we can offer our fans for the next decade."
In order to schedule the Wolverines, Fresno State exercised a buyout clause in the contract with the Beavers. However, when Michigan informed Fresno State they were electing not to play the game, Johnson began renegotiations with Oregon State, which will have the Bulldogs visiting OSU this year on Sept. 21 with the Beavers returning to Fresno Sept. 6, 2003.
"Oregon State and Fresno State have had their differences as to whether or not to continue this series," said Johnson. "But to athletics director Mitch Barnhart's credit, although he had other options, he has agreed to some of our prior requests. We are very much looking forward to playing the Beavers in 2002 and 2003."
The Bulldogs played host to Oregon State in the home opener this year, with FS winning 44-24 before a then-Bulldog Stadium record crowd of 42,410. Fresno State's last trip to Reser Stadium came in 1999, a 46-23 victory for the Beavers. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series between the two teams 7-3.
"We were really looking forward to the game with Michigan," head coach Pat Hill said. "But it didn't work out, and now we have the guarantee that Oregon State will return to Fresno in 2003. And we'll get to go play Oregon State this year, and I know that will be a very hostile environment, but that's how we like it. In the long run, this is probably a deal that works out best for both parties."
Fresno State is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. The team was ranked as high as No. 8 at one point and finished with an 11-3 record, including a third consecutive trip to a bowl game. The Bulldogs return 17 starters from that team, which tied the school record for wins in a season.
In addition to the Oregon State game, the 2002 schedule includes a game at Oregon on Sept. 14. The Ducks finished this season ranked No. 2 in the national polls. Also on the non-conference docket are home games against San Diego State and Colorado State. Placing the Oregon State game back on the 2003 schedule also means Fresno State will host Oklahoma State and the Beavers in its first two home games that year.
