Fresno State (3-0, 0-0 MW) vs Kent State (1-2, 0-0 MAC)
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 7:30 p.m. PT • Valley Children's Stadium (40,727) - Fresno, Calif.
Fresno State Game Notes (PDF) | Kent State Game Notes (PDF) | Mountain West Weekly Release (PDF)
Fresno State Weekly Press Conference | Ultimate Broadcast Guide
MEDIA COVERAGE
TV - CBS Sports Network
Play-By-Play - Dave Ryan
Analyst - Donte Whitner
Radio - Bulldog Sports Network (BSN)
Play-by-Play - Paul Loeffler
Analyst - Pat Hill
Sideline - Cam Worrell
Live Stats:BulldogsLive.com
A LOOK INSIDE
Series: First Meeting
Head Coaches:
Jeff Tedford
Fresno State Record (Years): 39-18 (5th season)
Career DI Record (Years): 121-75 (14th year)
Kenni Burns
Kent State Record (Years):1-2 (1st Season)
Career DI Record: 1-2 (1st Season)
QUICK LOOK
Fresno State won its 12th-straight game last Saturday, extending its active winning streak and keeping a hold on the second-longest streak in the FBS, behind only the top-ranked Georgia.
Fresno State has started a season 3-0 for the first time since 2013. Two of those three wins came on the road in Power 5 territory at Purdue (Sept. 2) and at Arizona State (Sept. 16). It was the first time since 2004 that Fresno State defeated two Power 5 opponents in the regular season, both on the road.
Fresno State has scored points in 17 consecutive quarters, dating back to the fourth quarter of the 2022 Mountain West Championship Game on Dec. 2.
Fresno State's defense gained eight turnovers (5 INT, 3 FR) last weekend at Arizona State, tying the program's record for most turnovers gained in a game. The record was set when Freson State had six INTs and two FR in its game against Montana State on Nov. 16, 1968.
Fresno State senior cornerback Carlton Johnson was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, leading Fresno State's defense to a 29-0 shutout victory on the road at Arizona State last Saturday.
Sixth-year senior Erik Brooks began his career as a walk-on in 2018, and has since earned his scholarship, a starting spot on the offense, and the title of team captain. Brooks leads the Bulldogs with 28 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 123.0 yards per game. He ranks fifth in the FBS in receiving yards per game and sixth in total receiving yards. The senior has had two 100-yard receiving games in three games played this season.
Brooks and Keene connected on 11 completions last weekend, it was the most receptions by a Bulldog since Josh Harper (12) on Oct. 10, 2014 at UNLV.
DE Kemari Munier-Bailey has had a hand in three of Fresno State's turnovers this season as he has two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Munier-Bailey became the first Bulldog player since 2020 to record one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in a game as he did both at Arizona State. He is currently second in the FBS standings in fumbles recovered this season.
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
The teams will be meeting for the first time in program history this weekend. Saturday's game marks the third game this season where Fresno State is meeting with an unfamiliar opponent.
Saturday's contest is also Fresno State's third this year against a first-year head coach.
Fresno State safety and Ohio native Dean Clark will meet his former teammates this weekend. Clark spent three seasons at Kent State as a safety. During his time there he played 34 games and totaled 109 solo tackles in his career. Clark also earned a career high 13 tackles in a single game vs. Wyoming ('21).
Wide receiver Isaiah Batton transferred to Kent State from Fresno State and has seen participation in two games (UCF, CCSU) in his first season with the Golden Flashes. Batton spent two seasons with the Bulldogs (2021-22). He appeared in two games and was a Mountain West scholar-athlete in his final season with the 'Dogs.
Saturday is Boots and Buckles Night at Valley Children's Stadium.
Fresno State looks for its sixth-straight home win, dating back to Oct. 15, 2022.
If Fresno State wins, it will be the first time since 2013 that the 'Dogs finish undefeated against nonconference opponents.