Fresno State Athletics
Young talent starts to emerge at Bulldogs' first scrimmage
8/10/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – On Saturday morning, eight days since the Fresno State football team opened its 2019 fall camp, scrimmage No. 1 was held. The Bulldogs ran approximately 90 plays inside Bulldog Stadium in addition to some individual work just short of three hours.
Â
"There's been a handful of plays we've done in short-yardage situations [in past practices live], but today was the first time we've been able to go [live] for the whole thing," said head coach Jeff Tedford about Saturday being the first look at the team competing in game-like conditions.
Â
With 39 new players on the field, the bulk of the work at the first scrimmage of fall camp was given to the newcomers and returners with less game experience than others. The 2019 offense returns three starters while the defense returns six starters, opening up a handful of spots to fill on the depth chart.
"We'll evaluate our personnel after this and start stratifying a depth chart a little bit," said Tedford about preparing for scrimmage No. 2 which is set to be held in exactly a week. "Guys who we feel like will have the chance to contribute this year will probably get a lot [more reps]. Obviously, some of our starters, we know what they can do, so you balance getting them work with making sure you're putting them in position to be healthy as well."
Â
A group that entered fall training camp with a question mark was the wide receivers after losing eight seniors from the 2018 squad, including the programs' all-time leader in receptions and yards, KeeSean Johnson. But junior transfer Keric Wheatfall and freshmen Jalen Cropper, Jamal Glaspie and Josh Kelly continue to turn heads. Â
Â
"It's a really good young group and they're just going to continue to get better every day," said Tedford. "(Receivers coach Kirby Moore) is doing a great job of coaching them and it's a quality group. I like them a lot."
The Bulldogs will be back on the field Sunday morning for practice No. 9 of its 25 leading into their Aug. 31 opener at USC.Â
Fan Appreciation Day
Fans are invited to meet the Bulldogs on Aug. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. The event will be held at Bulldog Stadium, giving attendees a chance to be one of the first to step foot on the new turf that was installed over the summer.
Third Annual Kickoff Dinner & Fundraiser
Join the Bulldogs Friday, Aug. 23 at the Fresno Convention Center for the Third Annual Kickoff Dinner & Fundraiser hosted by the Bulldog Foundation. Fans in attendance will have the unique opportunity to spend the evening with the 2019 Fresno State football team and coaching staff before the season gets underway.
Â
The evening begins with a social hour and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a live auction at 7 p.m. Reservations can be guaranteed by visiting www.gobulldogs.com/events.
Â
The 2019 season opens in Bulldog Stadium in 28 days, grab your tickets today:Â
Â
Â
"There's been a handful of plays we've done in short-yardage situations [in past practices live], but today was the first time we've been able to go [live] for the whole thing," said head coach Jeff Tedford about Saturday being the first look at the team competing in game-like conditions.
Â
With 39 new players on the field, the bulk of the work at the first scrimmage of fall camp was given to the newcomers and returners with less game experience than others. The 2019 offense returns three starters while the defense returns six starters, opening up a handful of spots to fill on the depth chart.
"We'll evaluate our personnel after this and start stratifying a depth chart a little bit," said Tedford about preparing for scrimmage No. 2 which is set to be held in exactly a week. "Guys who we feel like will have the chance to contribute this year will probably get a lot [more reps]. Obviously, some of our starters, we know what they can do, so you balance getting them work with making sure you're putting them in position to be healthy as well."
Â
A group that entered fall training camp with a question mark was the wide receivers after losing eight seniors from the 2018 squad, including the programs' all-time leader in receptions and yards, KeeSean Johnson. But junior transfer Keric Wheatfall and freshmen Jalen Cropper, Jamal Glaspie and Josh Kelly continue to turn heads. Â
Â
"It's a really good young group and they're just going to continue to get better every day," said Tedford. "(Receivers coach Kirby Moore) is doing a great job of coaching them and it's a quality group. I like them a lot."
The Bulldogs will be back on the field Sunday morning for practice No. 9 of its 25 leading into their Aug. 31 opener at USC.Â
Fan Appreciation Day
Fans are invited to meet the Bulldogs on Aug. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. The event will be held at Bulldog Stadium, giving attendees a chance to be one of the first to step foot on the new turf that was installed over the summer.
Third Annual Kickoff Dinner & Fundraiser
Join the Bulldogs Friday, Aug. 23 at the Fresno Convention Center for the Third Annual Kickoff Dinner & Fundraiser hosted by the Bulldog Foundation. Fans in attendance will have the unique opportunity to spend the evening with the 2019 Fresno State football team and coaching staff before the season gets underway.
Â
The evening begins with a social hour and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a live auction at 7 p.m. Reservations can be guaranteed by visiting www.gobulldogs.com/events.
Â
The 2019 season opens in Bulldog Stadium in 28 days, grab your tickets today:Â
- Season tickets, starting as low as $99Â -Â link
- 4-game mini plan (Minnesota plus 3 games) -Â link
- 3-game mini plan - link
- Group ticket discounts and tailgate space -Â link
- $79 Bulldog Pass for faculty, staff and young alumni - link
- Mad Duck 10-Pack - link
- Single game tickets for all six home games - link
- Fresno State Athletics announces 2019 football game themes -Â link
- Fresno State Athletics announces Family Fun Zone addition to football pregame festivities -Â link
- Tailgating hours extended for home football games -Â link
- Valley Ag products to be showcased at Bulldog Stadium all season -Â link
- Happy Hour all season long at Bulldog Stadium -Â link
Â
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ FootballFB: Simeon "No Panic" Harris Feature
Wednesday, May 20
Football Spring Preview Show
Saturday, April 25
Spring Football Practice #12: JD Williams
Wednesday, April 22
Spring Practice Report with Jaden Carrillo
Wednesday, April 22