Bulldogs look for 10th win of 2021

Saturday, December 18

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

11:15 a.m. PT

Fresno State

UTEP

Tickets

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

Bulldogs look for 10th win of 2021

12/13/2021 5:20:00 PM | Football

Fresno State prepares itself for the 2021 PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl this weekend.

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

VS

2021 PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State (9-3, 6-2 MW) vs UTEP (7-5, 4-4 C-USA)
Dec. 18, 2021 • 11:15 a.m. PT • University Stadium (37,457) - Albuquerque, N.M.

Bowl Central
Fresno State Game Notes (PDF) | UTEP Game Notes (PDF) | Mountain West Weekly Release (PDF)
Fresno State Weekly Press Conference | Tickets

MEDIA COVERAGE
TV - ESPN
   Play-By-Play - John Schriffen
   Analyst - Rene Ingoglia
Sideline - Stormy Buonantony

Radio - Bulldog Sports Network
   Play-by-Play - Paul Loeffler
   Analyst - Pat Hill
   Sideline - Cam Worrell

Social Media: Twitter: @FresnoStateFB | Instagram:@fresno_state_football | Facebook: FresnoStateFootball | YouTube: FresnoStateAthletics
Live Stats: BulldogsLive.com

A LOOK INSIDE
Series: Fresno State leads, 8-3-1

Head Coaches:
Lee Marks (Interim Head Coach)
FS Record: 0-0 (1st season)
Career Record: same

Dana Demel
UTEP record: 12-32 (4th season)
Career Record: 42-71 (9th season)

BULLDOG BONES

Fresno State Athletics is celebrating its centennial year and the 2021 football season is the 100th season of competition in program history.
Team captains for this season are - QB Jake Haener, RB Ronnie Rivers, DE David Perales and LB Tyson Maeva.
With a win against Nevada on Oct. 23, Fresno State became bowl eligible for the first time since 2018.
With a bowl appearance this season, Fresno State will play in its 15th bowl game since 2000, and its 30th in program history. The Bulldogs are 14-15 in bowl games played, with the opportunity to even that mark this Saturday.
The Mountain West will be featured in eight bowl games this season, setting a league record. The MW's eight bowl teams are tied for the fourth-most nationally among the 10 FBS conferences in 2021.
Fresno State looks towards its third appearance at the New Mexico Bowl, and first since 2009. Fresno State has not won in its two trips to the New Mexico Bowl.
With the departure of prior offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, Fresno State interim head coach Lee Marks promoted wide receivers coach Kirby Moore to acting-offensive coordinator with offensive play call duties for the bowl game.
The Mountain West announced its all-conference teams and recognitions on Nov. 30, and the Bulldogs saw 10 postseason honors by the league.
Fresno State freshman tight end Tre Watson and senior offensive lineman Jalen Guerrero will return to their home state as the Bulldogs travel to New Mexico for their bowl game.
Fresno State has five different Bulldogs who have registered at least one 100-yard receiving game this season. Wide receivers Jalen Cropper, Josh Kelly, Keric Wheatfall and Zane Pope each have 100-yard games. Running back Jordan Mims also has one.
The Bulldogs have made quick work on the offensive scoring drives, having 11 touchdown scoring drives this season that have been scored in less than 1:00. Fresno State has already had more scoring drives in under 60 seconds this season than they had since 2014.
Fresno State junior defensive back Evan Williams has had a breakout season this year, totaling a team-high 89 tackles (57 solo). He adds team-high numbers in interceptions (3), broken up passes (6) and fumble recoveries (2). He also records 4.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble on the year.
The collective anticipation of the Red Wave came to an exciting end on Dec. 8 when Director of Athletics Terry Tumey announced the hiring of Jeff Tedford as head coach of the Bulldog football program. Tedford, who coached the Bulldogs for the 2017-19 seasons, makes a return to the helm of the program for his second stint as head coach of his alma mater.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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