Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State to Open Football Season on ESPN2
5/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 30, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - For the fourth consecutive year, ESPN will televise Fresno State's football season opening game. ESPN announced today that the Bulldogs' opener at Tennessee on Aug. 30 will be televised live on ESPN2. The kickoff time has been set for Noon PDT.
The Bulldogs have been a fixture on ESPN over the last two seasons, making 14 national television appearances on the network, more than any other college program during that time. It is Fresno State's third straight ESPN/ESPN2 nationally televised game dating back to last season.
Fresno State may have more nationally televised games on ESPN in 2003. Those will be announced by ESPN at a later date.
"Getting high-profile opponents on the schedule is great for our program," said head coach Pat Hill. "Getting those games on national television really helps our exposure and the growth of our program. We are looking forward to going to Tennessee to play a very talented and well-coached program. I have great respect of Phil Fulmer. I think he's one of the best coaches in the nation."
Fresno State will be making its first trip to Tennessee to play in legendary Neyland Stadium, which has a capacity of 104,000. The Vols, ranked in the top 25 in most preseason polls, are coming off an 8-5 record, which included a 30-3 loss to Maryland in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Tennessee won the 1998 national championship.
The Bulldogs are coming of a 9-5 season and a 30-21 victory over Georgia Tech in the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
"Having two Top 25 ranked teams in the season opener on national television is great for college football," Hill said. "It will be a great environment and a great experience for our team."
Fans can purchase trip packages to join the Bulldogs on their team charter by calling the Fresno State Athletics Business Office at (559) 278-4033.
