Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Despite Last-Minute Changes, Senate Bill Deals Big Blow to Renewable Energy

7 hours ago

Trump-Backed Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Passes US Senate

8 hours ago

Homeland Security Secretary Noem Says CNN May Be Prosecuted Over Report on Migration App

9 hours ago

Israeli Officials to Hold Ceasefire Talks in Washington Amid Military Escalation in Gaza

10 hours ago

Trump Escalates Feud With Musk, Threatens Tesla, SpaceX Support

10 hours ago

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

1 day ago

Will Valadao Spoil Trump’s Plan for July 4th ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Signing?

1 day ago

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

1 day ago
Job One for Bulldogs: Stop Aztec Running, Punting Games
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
October 28, 2021

Share

The Bulldogs hope to bring home the Old Oil Can trophy — even if oil is becoming out of fashion with the state government. In addition, Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer hopes to bring the Red Wave to the game.

This year’s matchup will not take place in San Diego — the Aztecs are stadium less — but at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The stadium holds 27,000. However, the Aztecs can barely draw 10,000, opening up a second chance for a Red Wave takeover in southern California, as they did against UCLA.

“It’d be awesome to see the Red Wave travel down for this game. It gives our guys a lot of energy, excitement,” DeBoer said.

“Red Wave, we need you. We need you down in Carson,” DeBoer said.

Attending the game in Carson in Los Angeles County requires proof of vaccine or a negative COVID test within 72 hours.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer hopes the Red Wave makes it down to Carson (GV Wire/Albert Baker)

Beware of the Running Back … and Punter

No matter the venue, the Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) are expecting their most physical game of the season. To win means stopping the Aztecs’ running game.

But, that also means dealing with San Diego State’s punter.

Matt Araiza, a hometown San Diego star, leads the nation with 50.8 net punting yard average. He is a mid-season All-America and occasional kicks long field goals as well.

“He just flips the field on you so many times. I mean, almost every punt you just got to expect that you’re going to be deep in your own territory,” DeBoer said. “It’s a lot harder to score points when you got to go the distance.”

On offense, the Aztecs run the ball twice as much as they throw. Greg Bell, a 200-pound running back, is the leader with 603 rushing yards.

“He’s got explosive finishing speed. He can score at any time. I think just their offensive line is physical,” DeBoer said giving his scouting report.

DeBoer praised the Bulldogs’ consistency in week-to-week game planning. Last year, they would have to change up the defensive system on a weekly basis. Now, the changes are minor.

“We are really understanding our system better and better,” DeBoer said.

A Return to the Top 25?

The Aztecs (7-0, 3-0 Mountain West) are ranked 21st in the AP poll and 20th in the coaches poll. Does DeBoer think a win will catapult the Bulldogs back into the Top 25?

“I would hope at some point we want to get to that. But … we’ve got to get the job done on Saturday. That’s that’s what really what matters. They were a very good football team,” DeBoer said.

Fresno State spent two weeks in the Top 25, ranking as high as 18, until its Oc.t 2 loss at Hawaii.

Why Carson?

Call it San Diego Stadium, Jack Murphy Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, and another name or two … it no longer exists. The deteriorating conditions there convinced the NFL’s Chargers to move to Los Angeles County.

San Diego State bought the stadium and blew it up literally. They are rebuilding a newer, smaller stadium that is scheduled to open next season.

In the interim, the school felt its best option was in Carson — in the same, smaller stadium that temporarily housed the Chargers.

Why not other San Diego venues? None were “big time” enough, the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote last year.

Baseball’s Petco Park was not an option, as it would require major renovations and a change to the lease. University of San Diego’s field was deemed too small.

And no, the city is not named after Johnny Carson. Or Kit Carson. Or even Carson Daly. It was named after the city’s founding family in the Rancho San Pedro area.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

DON'T MISS

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

DON'T MISS

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

DON'T MISS

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

DON'T MISS

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

DON'T MISS

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

UP NEXT

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

UP NEXT

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

UP NEXT

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

UP NEXT

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

UP NEXT

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

UP NEXT

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

UP NEXT

Trump Says US Could Reach Trade Deal With India, Casts Doubt on Deal With Japan

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

1 hour ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

2 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

2 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

2 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

3 hours ago

Tulare County Wildfire Prompts Advisory in Three Rivers Area

3 hours ago

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

3 hours ago

Trump Says US Could Reach Trade Deal With India, Casts Doubt on Deal With Japan

3 hours ago

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

3 hours ago

How Wimbledon Is Tackling Its Hottest Opening on Record

4 hours ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

LOS ANGELES — The Trump administration released about 150 National Guard troops on Tuesday in the first pullback since it dispatched a milit...

16 minutes ago

16 minutes ago

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

An Israeli military convoy manoeuvres near the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, July 1, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
54 minutes ago

Trump Says Israel Has Agreed to Conditions to Finalize 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire

Abel Joel Garcia Zarate, 39, of Biola, was arrested Sunday, June, 30, 2025, in Madera County on suspicion of starting a wildfire just hours after crews responded to a separate blaze sparked by farm equipment. (Madera County SO)
1 hour ago

Fresno County Man Arrested for Suspected Arson Hours After Separate Wildfire

1 hour ago

New California Environmental Rollbacks Could Boost Housing Projects in Fresno

An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERSStringerFile Photo
2 hours ago

Iran Made Preparations to Mine the Strait of Hormuz, US Sources Say

2 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

Lara Trump looks on during Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump's rally, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Floats Daughter-in-Law Lara Trump for Senate Run in North Carolina

A Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 13, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Google Hit With $314 Million US Verdict in Cellular Data Class Action

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend