April 1, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State announced today some special changes to the Bulldog football road schedule that includes the addition of a powerful Big East program and a date change for Fresno State's much-anticipated game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

In addition, the Bulldogs picked up two more national television broadcast dates in 2008, meaning at least half -- a total of six -- of Fresno State's games will shown on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC.

One major schedule change includes the addition of Rutgers, which replaces Kansas State on the 2008 schedule. The Bulldogs will open the season at Rutgers on Labor Day (Sept. 1) for a nationally televised game on ESPN at 1:30 p.m. PT. Fresno State officials received notification from Kansas State a desire to cancel the final game of a three-game series with the Bulldogs, which opened the door for the Rutgers game. Fresno State was previously scheduled to play the Wildcats at Manhattan, Kans., Sept. 6.

"We are pleased that these late alterations to the 2008 football schedule accomplish the competitive and financial objectives for all the parties involved," said Fresno State's Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh. "The modified schedule will provide Bulldog fans an additional ESPN broadcast and begin a series with Rutgers, a historic and nationally recognized football program."

Rutgers will become the first Big East team to play the Bulldogs. Fresno State will continue the series with Rutgers, adding the Scarlet Knights to the home schedule for August 30, 2012. Rutgers played in the first-ever college football game against Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869, winning 6-4.

Under head coach Greg Schiano, the 2006 National Coach of the Year, Rutgers is coming off consecutive bowl game victories, a first in school history. The Scarlet Knights had a historic season in 2006, reaching No. 10 in the national polls. Ironically, Rutgers defeated Kansas State 37-10 to win the Texas Bowl that season for its first bowl victory in school history. Rutgers was 8-5 last season, which included a home win over No. 2 South Florida, and a win over Ball State in the International Bowl.

With the addition of Rutgers on Labor Day, Fresno State's previous season opener against UCLA has been pushed back to Sept. 27, 2008 at the Rose Bowl. The UCLA game will be televised on one of three networks (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2).

The Dogs open the home season on Sept. 13 against Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin. The Badgers are a Top 15 program heading into the 2008 season and will be the first team from the Big Ten to play in Bulldog Stadium. Fresno State is 1-1 all-time against the Badgers, winning in Madison in 2001 and losing a close game the following season. Wisconsin has been ranked in the Top 5 in the nation in each of the last two seasons.

Coming off a 9-4 season and strong finish that included a dominating win over Georgia Tech in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, the Bulldogs will continue to have a strong presence on the national television scene. ESPN/ABC has announced it will televise a minimum of six Fresno State games. Heading into this season, the Dogs have had 54 national TV games this decade.

"The addition of Rutgers on Labor Day on ESPN is a special way to kickoff the 2008 season," said head coach Pat Hill. "Getting two more nationally televised games is a benefit for our program as we continue to showcase our great University."

Season tickets and other packages are available through the Bulldog Ticket Office. For details and to order season tickets and mini-plans go online at gobulldogs.com.

2008 Fresno State Football Schedule (Time/TV)
Sept. 1
at Rutgers (1:30 p.m./ESPN)

Sept. 13
Wisconsin (TBA/ESPN/ABC)

Sept. 20
at Toledo (TBA/BSN)

Sept. 27
at UCLA (TBA/ESPN/ABC)

Oct. 4
*Hawaii (7 p.m.)

Oct. 11
*Idaho -- HOMECOMING (7 p.m./BSN)

Oct. 25
*at Utah State (TBA/BSN)

Nov. 1
*at Louisiana Tech (TBA/BSN)

Nov. 7
*Nevada (6 p.m./ESPN2)

Nov. 15
*New Mexico State (2 p.m./TBA)

Nov. 21
at *San Jose State (6:30 p.m./ESPN2)

Nov. 28
at *Boise State (3 p.m./ESPN2)

Times PT
* - Western Athletic Conference Game BSN - Bulldog Sports Network
Schedules, Times and Television are Tentative and Subject to Change