Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Cary Edmondson
'Dogs leave a lot to be excited for in the fall, in spring football finale
4/30/2021 11:59:00 PM | Football
Video: DeBoer post-practice interview, 4-30-21
Video: Haener post-practice interview, 4-30-21
Photo Gallery: By Cary Edmondson
FRESNO, Calif. – On Friday night, under the lights at Bulldog Stadium, the Fresno State football team hosted its annual Spring Preview to cap its spring football season. The team held the first of its 15 allotted practices on March 20 and completed it without a hitch.
"It was another important day for us," head coach Kalen DeBoer said. "We put so much value on every practice and that was the message to the guys, that number 15 is as important as number one, and as important as the first and second scrimmage. When it really comes down to it, there weren't a lot of surprises that happened today, because we play so hard every time we step on the football field."
In front of a limited group of family and friends, the 'Dogs ran an approximately 82-play scrimmage that boded well for the offense on this evening. The tone was set by redshirt freshman running back Malik Sherrod, who burst for a 62-yard touchdown run on the second play of the night.
"We were the number one offense in the conference last year, we went up and down the field against everyone," DeBoer said in response to the battle between each side of the ball. "We are farther ahead offensively than we are defensively, but the defense will catch up. We are in the fifth year of the [offensive] system when you go back to 2017, so naturally, that's going to be the case. These guys have refined and it's pretty crisp as far as the route running and the checks, and Jake [Haener] is on it right now, he knows exactly who he wants to go to, and he has a lot of trust and confidence in those around him and it shows each and every play."
The offense scored 11 times, and quarterback Jake Haener accounted for three touchdown tosses against one interception - a pick by linebacker Sherwin King Jr. in the end zone. And while running backs Ronnie Rivers, Jordan Mims, Jevon Bigelow, and Jordan Wilmore all watched from the sideline, it allowed Sherrod to shine in his opportunity as he accounted for three of the Bulldogs' scores.
"We've been executing at a high level all spring," Haener said. "I think a lot of people know what we're going to bring to the table as an offense. The defense worked their tail off, they're doing some really good things, and they're improving, and we all recognize that but we're going to keep pushing and we're going to keep doing the best we can every day."
As the calendar turns to May, the academic semester moves toward finals the week of May 10-14. The team will have the subsequent weeks off, until the summer conditioning program begins June 1.
Fresno State opens the 2021 season at home on Aug. 28 against UConn, a Week Zero contest. The Bulldogs are set for one of five games involving FBS teams during Week Zero, putting a national spotlight on the Bulldogs to kick off the year.
Existing Season Ticket Holder Renewal Deadline
The extended renewal deadline for both football season tickets and Bulldog Foundation memberships is May 4. If not done so already, renewals can be made online here, over the phone, or by mailing the renewal form with payment. For more information, call or text, the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS, or call the Bulldog Foundation at 559-278-7160 (BDF representatives can renew both your season tickets and BDF Membership).
New Season Ticket Sales
Now is the time to purchase your seats for an exciting 6-game home schedule featuring games against UConn, Cal Poly, UNLV, Nevada, Boise State, and New Mexico. Season tickets start at only $99 per person. There are also flexible payment plan options that stretch across three, four, or five months to provide greater flexibility. In this COVID-19 environment, season ticket purchases are "risk-free", see the refund policy here. For more information on 2021 Season Tickets, follow this link for a pricing map and to have a ticket sales representative contact you. For more information, call or text the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball
Video: Haener post-practice interview, 4-30-21
Photo Gallery: By Cary Edmondson
FRESNO, Calif. – On Friday night, under the lights at Bulldog Stadium, the Fresno State football team hosted its annual Spring Preview to cap its spring football season. The team held the first of its 15 allotted practices on March 20 and completed it without a hitch.
"It was another important day for us," head coach Kalen DeBoer said. "We put so much value on every practice and that was the message to the guys, that number 15 is as important as number one, and as important as the first and second scrimmage. When it really comes down to it, there weren't a lot of surprises that happened today, because we play so hard every time we step on the football field."
In front of a limited group of family and friends, the 'Dogs ran an approximately 82-play scrimmage that boded well for the offense on this evening. The tone was set by redshirt freshman running back Malik Sherrod, who burst for a 62-yard touchdown run on the second play of the night.
"We were the number one offense in the conference last year, we went up and down the field against everyone," DeBoer said in response to the battle between each side of the ball. "We are farther ahead offensively than we are defensively, but the defense will catch up. We are in the fifth year of the [offensive] system when you go back to 2017, so naturally, that's going to be the case. These guys have refined and it's pretty crisp as far as the route running and the checks, and Jake [Haener] is on it right now, he knows exactly who he wants to go to, and he has a lot of trust and confidence in those around him and it shows each and every play."
The offense scored 11 times, and quarterback Jake Haener accounted for three touchdown tosses against one interception - a pick by linebacker Sherwin King Jr. in the end zone. And while running backs Ronnie Rivers, Jordan Mims, Jevon Bigelow, and Jordan Wilmore all watched from the sideline, it allowed Sherrod to shine in his opportunity as he accounted for three of the Bulldogs' scores.
"We've been executing at a high level all spring," Haener said. "I think a lot of people know what we're going to bring to the table as an offense. The defense worked their tail off, they're doing some really good things, and they're improving, and we all recognize that but we're going to keep pushing and we're going to keep doing the best we can every day."
As the calendar turns to May, the academic semester moves toward finals the week of May 10-14. The team will have the subsequent weeks off, until the summer conditioning program begins June 1.
Fresno State opens the 2021 season at home on Aug. 28 against UConn, a Week Zero contest. The Bulldogs are set for one of five games involving FBS teams during Week Zero, putting a national spotlight on the Bulldogs to kick off the year.
Existing Season Ticket Holder Renewal Deadline
The extended renewal deadline for both football season tickets and Bulldog Foundation memberships is May 4. If not done so already, renewals can be made online here, over the phone, or by mailing the renewal form with payment. For more information, call or text, the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS, or call the Bulldog Foundation at 559-278-7160 (BDF representatives can renew both your season tickets and BDF Membership).
New Season Ticket Sales
Now is the time to purchase your seats for an exciting 6-game home schedule featuring games against UConn, Cal Poly, UNLV, Nevada, Boise State, and New Mexico. Season tickets start at only $99 per person. There are also flexible payment plan options that stretch across three, four, or five months to provide greater flexibility. In this COVID-19 environment, season ticket purchases are "risk-free", see the refund policy here. For more information on 2021 Season Tickets, follow this link for a pricing map and to have a ticket sales representative contact you. For more information, call or text the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball
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