It’s a new era for Fresno State Football. When the Bulldogs take the field tonight at Martin Stadium, it will be the program’s first ever PAC-12 conference game, against a legacy conference opponent no less.
Is it the same conference as it used to be? No. But it still is the PAC-12 and with it presents an opportunity for Fresno State to make a lasting first impression on its new conference home.
After a Week 1 loss at USC, the Bulldogs put together three consecutive solid wins, including last week’s 38-24 victory over Rice. A win tomorrow for the ‘Dogs would not only be the first PAC-12 victory and the first regular season win over the Cougars since 1991, it would give Fresno State a 4-1 record heading back home for its biggest game of the year: Boise State.
But the Bulldogs can’t get too far ahead of themselves. They still have a game tomorrow against a savvy, veteran led Washington State team that despite its 1-3 record, has looked like it at least belonged on the field in each of its three losses (all to Power 4 opponents). Fresno State actually enters the weekend as 1.5 point underdogs, though Head Coach Matt Entz isn’t concerned about that.
“It doesn’t affect my world. I can’t gamble on it anyway, so that doesn’t have any bearing on how we approach it,” Entz said. “It’s the next one on the schedule. That’s why it’s the most important one right now, and it’s a really good football team that we’re playing, and it’ll be exciting.”
Need to know for Saturday
- What: Fresno State at Washington State (1.5-point favorites)
- When: Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Martin Stadium (Pullman, WA)
- TV: USA Sports
- Radio: ESPN Fresno – 1430/790 (Paul Loeffler, Pat Hill and Kenny Wiggins) and Caliente – 105.1 (Jose Gonzalez)
Bulldog Bites
- Fresno State ranks 6th nationally and 1st in the PAC-12 with a +1.75 turnover margin per game. Fresno State has forced nine turnovers, while only committing two. The Bulldogs have gone three straight games without a turnover.
“We’re gonna stay consistent in what we do. Every day we have shots on the ball chart to see how much time someone shot the ball, which is a punch out, rake out, knock out. So we really, really key on that, and technique-wise, like before practices, you got ball hog drills, like trying to work on stripping the ball from offense and helping them get better as well, keeping the ball,” linebacker Tytus Khajavi said after practice on Tuesday.
- Fresno State has outscored its opponents 83-38 in the second and third quarters this season. The Bulldogs are still looking for their first points in the first quarter this season.
- Simeon Harris has had an interception in three straight games, raising him to nine his career, tied for the most in the FBS among active players (Braden Awls, Iowa State).
- Fresno State leads the PAC-12 in scoring defense, allowing just 19.0 PPG.
- Washington has four non-offensive touchdowns this season, including back-to-back punt return touchdowns vs Duquesne.
- Saturday will mark the 7th total matchup and third this decade, including a 29-6 Bulldog win in the 2022 LA Bowl for Jake Haener, Jordan Mims and company over Cam Ward.
Injury Report
An updated injury report is expected less than three hours before kickoff on Saturday.
Washington State
As mentioned earlier, Washington State went 1-3 in its non-conference slate, including a 34-24 loss to Arizona last week. The Cougars had an early 14-0 lead before falling behind in the second half. They also lost Week 1 at then #17 Washington 24-10 and in Week 2, 34-7 at Kansas State. The lone Washington State win this season came at home for the Cougars against Duquesne (48-7) in Week 3.
The Cougars are under the leadership of first year head coach and former Bulldog Offensive Coordinator Kirby Moore. Saturday will mark the first meeting between Entz and Moore.
WAZZU is averaging just under 14 points per game in its three losses. Between struggles under center and third down efficiency (25.5% on the season), they have their work cut for them against a Fresno State defense that has allowed 13.3 PPG over its last three games.
Running backs Kirby Vorhees (36 carries, 210 yards, 2 TD) and Maxwell Woods (28 carries, 173 yards) work in tandem for a rushing attack averaging 152.8 YPG, a duo Fresno State Defensive Coordinator Nick Benedetto has done his homework on.
“They will run downhill. A lot of outside zone, a little bit of duo action too as well. And then you’re going to see receivers on the edge being able to make some plays and get in some one-on-one situations because of what that quarterback can bring to the table,” Benedetto said.
Coug-Factors (with Jamey Vinnick, 247 Sports)
Caden Pinnick — There’s been some good and there’s been some bad for the Washington State sophomore signal caller who transferred to Pullman from UC Davis. Pinnick is 41-of-63 for 644 yards passing and three touchdowns. The dual threat quarterback also has 201 yards and three scores on the ground.
“A lot of their offense goes through him. A tremendous athlete, he has played a lot of football. From an experience standpoint, [Pinnick] is very comfortable in the pocket. There’s some designer quarterback run game, the ability to scramble and move around. They’ve been very productive on the ground, but as you saw last week against Arizona the pass game elevated too,” Entz said.
Pinnick also has thrown four interceptions and taken 13 sacks already this year. When there’s pressure, he has struggled at times.
“Really, it’s about us. He’s learning what he did on those plays too, and so we have to put ourselves in position. Interceptions or takeaways happen because you put yourself in a position. Then it depends on if the quarterback throws it or not, and is the ball at risk or not. So what we have to do is focus on us, and then those are the results of our preparation and our focus within a football game,” Benedetto said.
Jaylen Thomas — The former San Jose State Spartan, turned Washington State safety has a strong start to his 2026 campaign with 16 tackles and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown at Kansas State. Thomas had three tackles and a fumble recovery as a freshman against the Bulldogs last season.
Consistency — “The offense has to be able to find a rhythm and stick with it. When things have gone awry, it’s because they’ve gotten caught flat-footed or are too slow to adapt,” Vinnick said.
Pass Rush — “The defense needs to bring heat. The pass rush has started to wake up and it’s been extremely impactful the last couple games,” Vinnick said.
Dog-Factors
Keep Speedy going – I stressed last week how important it was that Rayshon Luke get going on the ground game for Fresno State and surely enough, one of the fastest players in the country delivered: 177 yards and a touchdown, good enough for Offensive Player of the Week.
“He’s an element. He’s a guy that you need to find the football. Anyone who has the nickname Speedy, yeah, you better try to find a way to get the football in his hands,” HC Matt Entz said.
Now that they got Luke going, they need to keep him going. For the second straight week, I’ll predict a big game for Speedy. His versatility and obviously his speed are too much of a weapon to not be used.
Dylan Hampsten and Jahzon Jacks – The pass rush was an issue for Fresno State the first two weeks of the season and while the Bulldogs primary edge rushers, Dylan Hampsten and Jahzon Jacks have been great contributors in the run game, getting to Pinnick will be paramount for the ‘Dogs to have success. been far from perfect, his 36.0 QBR ranks 122nd in the nation.
Buy or Sell (with Jackson Moore of Barkboard)
Buy or sell: This one will sound similar to last week, Jayden Mandal will have 250+ total yards and no turnovers.
- Jackson Moore – “Sell, I will buy the no turnovers but sell the yards. I’m anticipating a defensive battle between these two. Like the San Jose State win, Mandal leads the offense to a win with under 250 yards as long as there are no turnovers.”
- Al Scott – Buy, I went back and forth on this one several times but I’ve really been impressed with Mandal over the last 3 weeks and I think he keeps it going, even against a Cougars defense which will be one of the tougher looks he’ll see all season.
Washington State will have a non offensive TD, buy or sell?
- Jackson – “Sell. If Wazzu does have a non-offensive touchdown, they probably win the game. I think between Fresno State’s conservative offensive approach and coach John Baxter overseeing the special teams, that both phases of the game will be clean.”
- Al – Sell, I think Fresno State’s key to victory in most games will be winning the turnover battle and that starts by protecting the ball on the offense. Coupled with a fundamentally sound special teams unit, there won’t be enough opportunities for the Cougars to score in alternate fashion.
Simeon Harris will make it 4 straight games with an interception, buy or sell?
- Jackson – “Buy – I do think another interception late in the game seals this one. And Simeon Harris always seems to be at the right place at the right time. Three Bulldog cornerbacks have combined for six interceptions, perhaps another defensive back like Loyall Mouzon also joins the party on Saturday.”
- Al – Buy, as Jackson said, Simeon always seems to be in the right place at the right time. If Fresno State can get a first half lead, I’m predicting a panicked Pinnick with 2-3 interceptions for the defense. I’ll also say sophomore Gerayas Grimes gets his first career interception.
Score predictions
- Al: Fresno State 27, Washington State 21
- Jackson: Fresno State 16, Washington State 14
- Jamey: Washington State 27, Fresno State 23
Game preview written by Al Scott, cover photo captured by Evan Hernandez (Fresno Sports Magazine). For more pictures and updates on Fresno State Athletics, follow @AlScott1998 on Twitter (X) or @AlScottSports on IG.