2018 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

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2018 Fresno State Bulldogs football
Mountain West champion
MW West Division champion
Las Vegas Bowl champion
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionWest Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
APNo. 18
Record12–2 (7–1 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKalen DeBoer (2nd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorBert Watts (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBulldog Stadium
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
No. 23 Boise State x   7 1     10 3  
No. 22 Utah State   7 1     11 2  
Wyoming   4 4     6 6  
Air Force   3 5     5 7  
Colorado State   2 6     3 9  
New Mexico   1 7     3 9  
West Division
No. 18 Fresno State x$   7 1     12 2  
Nevada   5 3     8 5  
Hawaii   5 3     8 6  
San Diego State   4 4     7 6  
UNLV   2 6     4 8  
San Jose State   1 7     1 11  
Championship: Fresno State 19, Boise State 16 (OT)
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Fresno State Bulldogs football team represented California State University, Fresno in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs were led by second-year head coach Jeff Tedford and played their home games at Bulldog Stadium. They were a member of the Mountain West Conference in the West Division.

In one of the best seasons in program history, the Bulldogs finished the season 12–2, 7–1 in Mountain West play, to be champions of their conference's West Division. They represented the West Division in the Mountain West Championship Game, where they defeated Boise State to become Mountain West champions. They were invited to the Las Vegas Bowl where they defeated Arizona State. Their 12 wins were the most wins in a single season in school history.

Recruiting[edit]

Position key[edit]

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits[edit]

The Bulldogs signed a total of 17 recruits.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Nick Abbs
OT
Fresno, California Fresno City College 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Oct 19, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Ricardo Arias
WR
Fresno, California McLane High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jul 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Elijah Carson
OT
San Diego, California Morse High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Steven Comstock
QB
Covina, California Northview High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jun 24, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Shawn Dourseau
S
Perris, California Citrus Hill High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jan 22, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Emoryie Edwards
WR
Tulare, California Tulare Union High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 184 lb (83 kg) Jun 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Isaiah Johnson
WR
Modesto, California Thomas Downey High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Feb 9, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Sherwin King
S
Fresno, California Sunnyside High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jul 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Matt Kjeldgaard
DT
Oakdale, California Oakdale High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Jul 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Matthew Lawson
DT
Ontario, California Colony High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Dec 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Leonard Payne
DT
Los Angeles, California Salesian High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 17, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Deshawn Ruffin
CB
Fresno, California Sunnyside High School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Jul 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Tyrone Sampson Jr.
OC
Detroit, Michigan East English Village Preparatory Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Feb 16, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Clive Truschel
OG
Clovis, California Clovis West High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Shamar Whestone
CB
Upland, California Upland High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Apr 30, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Ben Wooldridge
QB
Pleasanton, California Foothill High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jun 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Rodney Wright
WR
Fresno, California Clovis West High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Dec 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Fresno State Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.

Preseason[edit]

Award watch lists[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Chuck Bednarik Award[2] Jeffrey Allison LB JR
Maxwell Award[3] Marcus McMaryion QB SR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[4] KeeSean Johnson WR SR
John Mackey Award[5] Jared Rice TE JR
Butkus Award[6] Jeffrey Allison LB JR
Wuerffel Trophy[7] Marcus McMaryion QB SR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[8] Marcus McMaryion QB SR

Mountain West media days[edit]

During the Mountain West media days held July 24–25 at the Cosmopolitan on the Las Vegas Strip, the Bulldogs were predicted as favorites to win the West Division title.[9]

Media poll[edit]

West Division
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Fresno State 126 (16)
2 San Diego State 116 (6)
3 UNLV 78
4 Nevada 72
5 Hawaii 45
6 San Jose State 25

Preseason All-Mountain West Team[edit]

The Bulldogs had two players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team.[10]

Schedule[edit]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 17:00 p.m.Idaho*StadiumW 79–1331,170
September 84:30 p.m.at Minnesota*FS1L 14–2138,280
September 157:30 p.m.at UCLA*FS1W 38–1460,867
September 297:30 p.m.Toledo*
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Fresno, CA
ESPNUW 49–2733,401
October 67:30 p.m.at NevadaESPNUW 21–315,367
October 137:30 p.m.Wyoming
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Fresno, CA
ESPNUW 27–328,501
October 204:30 p.m.at New MexicoESPNUW 38–716,708
October 277:30 p.m.Hawaiidagger
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Fresno, CA (rivalry)
ESPN2W 50–2033,659
November 37:30 p.m.at UNLVNo. 23CBSSNW 48–315,276
November 97:15 p.m.at Boise StateNo. 23ESPN2L 17–2433,118
November 177:30 p.m.San Diego State
CBSSNW 23–1436,123
November 244:00 p.m.San Jose State
ESPNUW 31–1326,162
December 14:45 p.m.at No. 22 Boise StateNo. 25
ESPNW 19–16 OT23,662
December 1512:30 p.m.vs. Arizona State*No. 21
ABCW 31–20 37,146

Sources: [11][12][13][14]

Game summaries[edit]

Idaho[edit]

Idaho Vandals at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Vandals 6 0 7013
Bulldogs 16 28 142179

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

Junior defensive back Jaron Bryant was named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week after returning two blocked field goals for touchdowns.[17]

At Minnesota[edit]

Fresno State Bulldogs at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 0 7714
Golden Gophers 7 3 01121

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

Game information

At UCLA[edit]

Fresno State Bulldogs at UCLA Bruins
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 13 3 15738
Bruins 0 7 7014

at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Game information

Toledo[edit]

Toledo Rockets at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Rockets 7 6 01427
Bulldogs 7 21 21049

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

At Nevada[edit]

Fresno State Bulldogs at Nevada Wolf Pack
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 7 7721
Wolf Pack 0 3 003

at Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada

Game information

Wyoming[edit]

Wyoming Cowboys at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 0 003
Bulldogs 6 7 14027

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

At New Mexico[edit]

Fresno State Bulldogs at New Mexico Lobos
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 10 14 14038
Lobos 0 7 007

at Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Game information

Hawaii[edit]

51st rivalry meeting: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Rainbow Warriors 3 10 0720
Bulldogs 14 23 10350

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

At UNLV[edit]

No. 20 Fresno State Bulldogs at UNLV Rebels
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 20 Bulldogs 7 10 171448
Rebels 0 0 033

at Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada

Game information

At Boise State[edit]

Battle for the Milk Can: No. 16 Fresno State Bulldogs at Boise State Broncos
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Bulldogs 0 10 7017
Broncos 3 0 71424

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho

Game information

San Diego State[edit]

Battle for the Old Oil Can: San Diego State Aztecs at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Aztecs 7 7 0014
Bulldogs 7 3 7623

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

San Jose State[edit]

Battle for the Valley Trophy: San Jose State Spartans at Fresno State Bulldogs
Period 1 2 34Total
Spartans 0 0 01313
Bulldogs 0 3 141431

at Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, California

Game information

At Boise State (Mountain West Championship Game)[edit]

Mountain West Championship Game: No. 25 Fresno State Bulldogs at No. 19 Boise State Broncos
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
No. 25 Bulldogs 7 3 30619
No. 19 Broncos 7 0 06316

at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho

Game information

Vs. Arizona State (Las Vegas Bowl)[edit]

Las Vegas Bowl: No. 19 Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Bulldogs 10 7 7731
Sun Devils 7 10 3020

at Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada

Game information

Rankings[edit]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRVRV2016RVRV251918
CoachesRVRVRVRVRVRVRV2317RV23232118
CFPNot released23232521Not released

Honors[edit]

Mountain West[edit]

Team Player Position Year
First Christian Cronk OL SR
First Mykal Walker DL JR
First Jeff Allison LB JR
First Tank Kelly DB SR
Second KeeSean Johnson WR SR
Second Jared Rice TE JR
Second Micah St. Andrew OL SR
Second JuJu Hughes DB JR
Second Mike Bell DB JR
Second Blake Cusick P JR
Honorable Jason Bryant DB JR
Honorable Jasad Haynes DL JR
Honorable George Helmuth LB SR
Honorable Marcus McMaryion QB SR

Jeff Allison is the defensive player of the year in the Mountain West Conference.

[44]

Players drafted into the NFL[edit]

Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
6 174 KeeSean Johnson WR Arizona Cardinals

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2018 Fresno State Bulldogs Football Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  3. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Butkus Award – 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "Boise State, Fresno State Picked to Win 2018 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles".
  10. ^ "2018 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team".
  11. ^ "Mountain West releases 2018 football schedule". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "Saturdays are for Fresno State Football". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  13. ^ "'Dogs to play on FS1 at Minnesota and UCLA". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  14. ^ "'Dogs season opener vs. Idaho to be broadcasted on Facebook". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  15. ^ "Idaho vs. Fresno State – Game Summary – September 1, 2018 – ESPN". ESPN. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  16. ^ "Game Book of Idaho at Fresno State on 09/01/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "2018 Mountain West Football Players Of The Week – Sept. 3". Mountain West Conference. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  18. ^ "Idaho vs. Fresno State – Game Summary – September 8, 2018 – ESPN". ESPN. September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  19. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 09/08/2018". Athletics at the University of Minnesota. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "McMaryion scores 4 touchdowns to lead Fresno State over UCLA". ESPN. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  21. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 09/15/2018". Athletics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  22. ^ "McMaryion accounts for 5 TDs, Fresno St. beats Toledo 49–27". ESPN. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  23. ^ "Football vs Toledo on 09/29/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  24. ^ "McMaryion, Rivers help Fresno State beat Nevada 21–3". ESPN. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "Fresno State vs Nevada Football (10/07/2018)". Athletics at the University of Nevada, Reno. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  26. ^ "McMaryion accounts for 4 TDs, Fresno St. beats Wyoming 27–3". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  27. ^ "Football vs Wyoming on 09/13/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  28. ^ "McMaryion leads Fresno State past New Mexico 38–7". ESPN. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 09/20/2018". Athletics at the University of New Mexico. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  30. ^ "McMaryion energizes Fresno St. in 50–20 win over Hawaii". ESPN. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  31. ^ "Football vs Hawaii on 10/27/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  32. ^ "McMaryion, No. 20 Fresno State defense roll past UNLV". ESPN. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  33. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 11/03/2018". Athletics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  34. ^ "Ryipen leads Boise State past No. 16 Fresno State 24–17". ESPN. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  35. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 11/09/2018". Athletics at Boise State University. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  36. ^ "Fresno St. beats SDSU 23–14, clinches berth in MW title game". ESPN. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  37. ^ "Football vs San Diego State on 11/17/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  38. ^ "Johnson, Fresno State beat San Jose State 31–13". ESPN. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  39. ^ "Football vs San Jose State on 11/24/2018". Athletics at California State University, Fresno. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  40. ^ "No. 24 Fresno State outlasts No. 19 Boise State in snow". ESPN. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  41. ^ "Football vs Fresno State on 12/01/2018". Athletics at Boise State University. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  42. ^ "Rivers, Fresno State top Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl". ESPN. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  43. ^ "Arizona State vs. Fresno State Football on 12/15/2018". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  44. ^ "Mountain West Announces 2018 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors". Mountain West Conference. Retrieved November 29, 2018.