Fresno State’s first football practice of 2025 began with a flyover.

While the military jet’s path may have been coincidental, the Bulldogs have 30 days to get ready for Kansas on Aug. 30.

First-year head coach Matt Entz said practice was so efficient, it finished ahead of schedule.

“That’s the first time since I’ve been here that we’re able to complete all our scripts. That tells me we’re getting in out of the huddle, we’re operating at a higher level, we’re just getting better, we’re improving,” Entz said.

The Bulldogs, 6-7 last year and falling to Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, practiced without pads and limited physical contact.

Entz joked that at 80 degrees, it was cooler than North Dakota, where he coached from 2019 to 2023.

“Everyone talks about the heat and I have not seen it yet. So, I mean, it’s 12:21 and it’s 80 degrees. If we can keep dialing this up, you know, I’m all for it,” Entz said.

Quarterback Competition

Entz said the QB competition is “wide open.” He hopes to make a decision by the 15th practice on Aug. 11.

E.J. Warner has the most experience — a transfer from Rice, and Temple before that. He says he’s gained weight in “a good way,” and speed. While his teammates walked from the locker room to the practice field, Warner dashed in.

“We’re just trying to compete, trying to do our best. It’s not about who else is out there, just trying to focus on ourselves, making sure that we’re making the right plays, putting our teammates in positions,” Warner said.

Warner threw for 2,710 yards last season, with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions at Rice.

Entz said Warner will compete with Sacramento State transfer Carson Conklin, and returning backup Jayden Mandal. Having Warner transfer in the spring was significant, Entz said.

“It’s huge. Carson knows that, but Carson’s not afraid of competition. And he’s approaching every day really good. And Jayden’s done a great job, too,” Entz said. “Let’s make it real exciting.”

“The quarterback room has been good, we have a lot of fun in there,” Warner said. “You wouldn’t even know we’re competing against each other.”

Warner will wear No. 13, like his Pro Football Hall of Fame father, Kurt Warner.

“My mom wanted me to, but I’m not a huge number guy. Obviously my dad wore that number, and it’s cool to wear the same as him, but I’m just trying to play a ball, not too focused on it,” Warner said.

The Running Game

Elijah Gilliam led the team last year in carries (121) and yards (466). He expects more of the workload this year.

“They told us that we’re going to be running the ball a lot, so you know, we lick our chops when we get that call,” said Gilliam, a senior from Merced.

Entz said he plans to use all his running backs. However, Bulldog fans and local sports talk radio hosts have set high expectations for sophomore tailback Bryson Donelson. Those expectations have been inspired by Donelson’s strong season-ending performance and Entz’s ground-and-pound offense.

“He could put anyone in, (and they are) going to perform. Running behind the offensive line we got, they’re going to make the holes. We just got to finish,” said Donelson, second on the team with 77 carries and 462 yards last year.

Last season, Donelson had the most rushing yards in a game by a true freshman running back since future NFL 1,000-yard rusher Ryan Mathews in 2007 under then-coach Pat Hill.

Meanwhile Gilliam says he’s ready for a pounding. He played 22 games the last two seasons.

“There’s no preparing yourself for bruises and stuff, but it’s part of the job. We love it, though,” Gilliam said.