These are the four players I’ll be keeping an eye on when Fresno State hosts New Mexico State at Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday.

Key Players to Watch for Fresno State

Offense: Senior wide receiver Mac Dalena, No. 0

Dalena had himself a great game against the Sacrament State Hornets on Saturday. He’s coming off a career-high game as he finished with 235 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. The long balls he caught were helpful in placing the offense in the red zone and setting them up with opportunities to score.

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The preseason All-Mountain West selection played in all 13 games last season. He’s established himself as a deep-ball threat. The offense plans to call his number when big plays are needed. His catches are sure to excite The Red Wave.

Defense: Senior linebacker Tuasivi Nomura, No. 8

Nomura delivered the hits against the Hornets, leading the defense with a career-high 11 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble and made a critical tackle on a fourth down.

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He played in eight games last year, missing the beginning part of the year to an injury suffered during the spring. He made the preseason Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list.

“We preach turnovers every day. When you get more turnovers than the other team, you’re more than likely to win the game. We try to create big plays on defense so the offense can get out there and score some touchdowns and get a victory,” said Nomura.

Key Players to Watch for New Mexico State

Offense: Junior running back Seth McGowan, No. 1

McGowan is the leading rusher for the Aggies. He had 11 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns against Southeast Missouri State. Then he had 15 carries for 66 yards the following week against Liberty. He’s a transfer from Oklahoma having spent his freshman year in 2020 as a Sooner followed by a stint at Butler Community College in Kansas last season.

The offense will look to him to be a major contributor to their scoring drives against a Fresno State defense that’s been playing aggressively.

Defense: Redshirt freshman Tayden Barnes, No. 3

Barnes was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the season opener against Southeast Missouri State. In the 23-16 victory over the Redhawks, he finished the game with a team-best nine tackles, including five solo takedowns and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The defense will rely on him to stop the Bulldogs’ playmakers like Dalena and sophomore wide receiver Jalen Moss.

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Mountain West Football Matchups:

All games will be played on Saturday, Sept. 14 (accept UNLV vs Kansas) and broadcast times are Pacific.

Air Force (1-1) at Baylor (1-1)

Game Starts: 4:30 p.m.; Broadcast: FS1. — Analysts predict the Bears will beat the Falcons and Baylor leads the series 3-1, but Air Force has won the last five games it has played against power conference teams. That streak includes beating Baylor in the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl.

Colorado (1-1) at Colorado State (1-1)

Game Starts: 4:30 p.m.; Broadcast: CBS. — Analysts predict the Buffaloes will beat the Rams in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, but this rivalry game is being played for the first time since 1996 in Fort Collins. Colorado leads the series 68-22-2.

Hawai‘i (1-1) at Sam Houston (1-1)

Game Starts: 4 p.m.; Broadcast on ESPN+. — Analysts predict the Bearkats will beat the Rainbow Warriors, who often struggle when they’re away from the island.

Nevada (1-2) at Minnesota (1-1)

Game Starts: 12:30 p.m.; Broadcast: BTN. — It’s the first meeting ever between the Big Ten’s Golden Gophers and the Wolf Pack, who are getting $1.2 million for a game in which they’re 17.5 point underdogs.

New Mexico (0-2) at Auburn (1-1)

Game Starts: 4:40 p.m.; Broadcast: ESPN2. — You can bet the Tigers will take out their frustrations against the Lobos after losing to Cal last week.

San Diego State (1-1) at California (2-0)

Game Starts: 7:30 p.m.; Broadcast: ESPN. — Cal is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2019. Can the Aztecs must enough offense to beat the Bears?

Kennesaw State (0-2) at San José State (2-0)

Game Starts: 4 p.m.; Broadcast: truTV/Max. — The Spartans often get bullied when they play big-name schools for a paycheck. In this game, they’re the bullies.

UNLV (2-0) at Kansas (1-1)

The game is on Friday; Game Starts: 4 p.m.; Broadcast: ESPN. — Is UNLV for real in 2024? Let’s see what the Big 12 Jayhawks have to say about that. A reminder: Kansas beat the Rebels in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Utah (2-0) at Utah State (1-1)

Game Starts: 1:30 p.m.; Broadcast: CBSSN. The No. 12 Utes and Aggies square off in the Battle of the Brothers for the first time since 2015. Utah State got pounded a week ago by USC. This one could be nearly as bad for the Aggies.

BYU (2-0) at Wyoming (0-2)

Game Starts: 6 p.m.; Broadcast: CBSSN. — Wyoming has given the Cougars some tough tussles through the years. That won’t be the case this time. BYU leads the series 46-30-3.