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Fresno State vs. Minnesota: Game Preview, Kick Time, TV and Radio Schedule
The Fresno State Bulldogs clash with the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.
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The Bulldogs look to topple a Power 5 foe.
WEEK 2: Fresno State Bulldogs (1-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0)
WHEN: Saturday, September 8 — 4:30 PM PT
WHERE: TCF Bank Stadium; Minneapolis, Minnesota (50,805)
TV: FS1
RADIO: The Fresno State broadcast can can be found in and around Fresno on the local ESPN affiliate, 940 AM. The Spanish-language broadcast can be found on ESPN Deportes, 1600 AM.
SERIES RECORD: This is the first meeting between Fresno State and Minnesota.
WEBSITES: GoBulldogs.com, the official Fresno State athletics website | GopherSports.com, the official Minnesota athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Fresno State | Minnesota
Fresno State will face off against the first of two Power 5 opponents in the Twin Cities this Saturday, when the Bulldogs face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Both teams come into the game off of emphatic wins, but the Bulldogs need this victory, too, to make their first big statement in the pursuit of a New Year’s Day bowl bid.
P.J. Fleck’s young team will provide an interesting contrast to the deep and dangerous ‘Dogs, though they certainly won’t roll over at home.
Three Keys to a Fresno State Win
Pick up where you left off.
79 points is a lot, even if it was against lowly Idaho. The fact that they scored 11 touchdowns is impressive; that two came from blocked field goals is even more so. The running game is going to need to be strong all year, Marcus McMaryion will throw a lot of passes to KeeSean Johnson, and the defense is going to have a tough test in a difficult atmosphere in Minnesota. The Bulldogs should be confident, even if they haven’t beaten a Power 5 conference in almost a decade.
Force stops on defense.
These two teams combined for 127 points in Week 1, so expect a lot of touchdowns to be scored on Saturday. With that being said, the Bulldogs need to make stops on defense. After a five-interception game last weekend, the secondary must feel confident but will have a tough test against a Gopher team that can air it out. An interception or two, a deflection or two, or perhaps a sack could be the difference in this game. The defense is ready to flex their strength and show their full potential, but will the Gophers exploit them?
Don’t stop believing.
There is talk about a New Year’s Six bowl appearance for the ‘Dogs this season. The city believes it, the team believes it, the coaching staff believes it. Don’t ruin your chances this early in the season. Like the song goes, “Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world.” McMaryion and this offense is ready to take the midnight train wherever they go, and the Bulldogs are going to score a lot of points all season long.
Prediction
P.J. Fleck versus Jeff Tedford. Big Ten versus Mountain West. In a game sure to be filled with lots of touchdowns and field goals, the Bulldogs find a way to get it done. McMaryion and Johnson connect for a couple scores, and the ‘Dogs running backs combine for a couple scores. Bulldogs 45, Gophers 34.