Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Host WAC Rival Nevada
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2008
Fresno State (5-3, 2-2 WAC) vs Nevada (4-4, 2-2 WAC)
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT
Site: Bulldog Stadium (41,031); Fresno, Calif.
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); Dog Talk (4 p.m.) Countdown to Kickoff (5:30 p.m.)
Play-by-Play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Jordan Christensen; Sideline: Ralph Wood
ESPN Deportes (1600 AM) in Spanish
Play-by-Play: Jess Gonzalez; Analysts: Sam Sosa and Doug Kessler
Television: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Joe Tessitore; Analyst: Rod Gilmore
The Bulldogs return home for the first time in 28 days when they host Nevada on Friday, Nov. 1, on ESPN2. Both teams are looking for a bowl berth in the 2008 season. Fresno State needs one more victory to become bowl eligible, while the Wolf Pack needs two wins in their final four games to reach that status.
Complete Release in PDF Format 
About Nevada
Under head coach Chris Ault, Nevada brings one of the nation's best offensive teams to Bulldog Stadium this weekend. The Wolf Pack rank No. 2 in the nation in rushing (305.6 ypg), No. 12 in the NCAA in scoring (37.9 ppg), and are fifth in total offense (514.6 ypg). Nevada has the top two rushing weapons in the league in Vai Taua (112.0 ypg) and quarterback Colin Kaepernicik (94.0 ypg). Kaepernick leads the WAC and ranks No. 16 in the NCAA in total offense (265.8 ypg). Nevada has scored 27 rushing touchdowns this season, 12 more than Fresno State which ranks No. 2 in the WAC. On defense, Nevada allows 32.6 points and 397 yards per game.
Against Nevada
Fresno State owns a 24-13-1 lead against the Wolf Pack in a series that first began in 1923. Under Pat Hill, the Dogs are 8-2 against Nevada and have won eight of the last nine games. In those nine games, Fresno State is averaging 44.3 points per game. Hill is 3-1 against Nevada's Hall of Fame head coach Chris Ault. Fresno State owns a 14-5 edge in games played in Fresno with four consecutive wins. The Dogs won last season in Reno 49-41.
High Powered Offense
Fresno State's offensive production has been impressive so far this season. The Dogs rank 28th in the nation in scoring (33.0 ppg), 23rd nationally in rushing (196.6) and 26th in total offense (420.4). Nevada leads the WAC in all of those categories. Fresno State leads the WAC in field goals (12). Fresno State ranks second in the league in average yards per play, 6.4 yards, second to Nevada (6.9). The Dogs have thrown 15 touchdowns, third most in the pass-happy WAC, and have the second-fewest interceptions (6). Fresno State is averaging 7.7 yards per pass play, second-best average in the WAC. The Dogs also lead the WAC in fourth down conversions, hitting six of seven attempts and rank second in third down conversion percentage (.412).
ESPN Loves the Dogs
Fresno State will make its 59th national television appearance this decade when the Dogs host Nevada on ESPN2. ESPN/ABC televised eight consecutive Fresno State games on its network, the last four of the 2007 season and the first four games of the 2008 season. Fresno State is scheduled for seven nationally televised games on the ESPN networks in 2008, including three of the final four this month. In all, Fresno State will have 12 of 16 games on the ESPN's Family of Networks by the end of the regular season.
Playing for a Bowl
Fresno State's run for a postseason bowl appearance would be historic on many fronts. Should the Dogs earn a bowl bid in 2008, they would be making their ninth appearance in 10 seasons. That's never happened in Fresno State history, and BYU is the only WAC school to ever make such a run. Fresno State has been to 11 bowl games as a WAC member (since 1992), the most of any other WAC school. BYU (17) and Air Force (12) are the only schools in WAC history with more bowl appearances.
Join the State - Fresno State! It's Friday Night Football in Fresno as the `Dogs return home to Bulldog Stadium on Friday, November 7 as they host Nevada at 6 pm in a game televised nationally on ESPN2. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
