The Matt Entz era at Fresno State kicks off Saturday.

The E.J. Warner era starts Saturday.

And the new era will debut on national television.

After 25 practices, “it’s time for us to play somebody in a different-colored jersey,” Entz said at his weekly news conference.

Entz expects Saturday’s contest at Kansas to be a “great evaluation” of how nearly 24 practices have gone.

Warner, the Temple and Rice transfer, leads the offense at quarterback. While putting up impressive numbers in his three seasons as a starter, he has not shown he can win at the college level — a 10-22 record.

Entz praised Warner’s “even keel” demeanor.

“That is a little bit of a byproduct of being in a football family,” Entz said. Warner is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold shared the assessment.

“He doesn’t get rattled. He’s obviously been a good leader for the programs he’s competed in before,” Leipold said at his news conference this week.

Entz implied he will rely on the running game, calling on tailbacks Bryson Donelson, Rayshon Luke to advance the ball and milk the clock.

Watch/Listen to the Game

The game starts Saturday, 3:30 Pacific on the Fox network (locally on KMPH-26). Tim Brando will call the game with analyst Devin Gardner and Josh Sims on the sideline.

The Bulldogs Sports Network carries the game  on the radio and streaming. Paul Loeffler handles the play-by-play, joined by former coach Pat Hill on color, and former Bulldog and NFL safety Cam Worrell on the sidelines.

The game will also be on national radio through Westwood One, with Nate Gatter and Derek Rackley on the call.

A New Era in Lawrence

Enthusiasm is high in Lawrence, as the Jayhawks open a newly refurbished David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, with $448 million in renovations. Seats are sold out, with a capacity of more than 41,000 for the Big 12 Conference team.

The Jayhawks finished 5-7 in 2024, out of the bowl picture. Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns for Kansas, which put up slightly better offensive numbers than Fresno State’s 2024 team.

“Being able to contain him, not giving up scramble rules, unnecessary yardage … he’s a huge concern when he’s playing well. He’s as good as a quarterback as there is right now,” Entz said.

Entz expects a loud and enthusiastic crowd for the new-ish stadium.

Leipold expects energy and excitement. He likened it to a homecoming game.

“Our job is to play our best football and find a way to win the game. Everything else around it, the pageantry and all the other ceremonial things are outside of what our responsibility is,” Leipold said.

Something to Prove

Entz said his team has something to prove in its final season in the Mountain West before joining the Pac-12.

“I think they want to prove people wrong. They’re excited to get out there and put a good product on the field,” Entz said.

Only one other time has Fresno State started a season so early in the calendar year — an Aug. 23, 2002 loss at Wisconsin. As long as people watch, college football will play Week 0 games early — two weekends before Labor Day.

Entz downplayed the early start, using coachspeak.

“It’s the next game, so it’s the most important one,” Entz said. “We haven’t hyped up that it is the only game.”

The team flies out Friday. Entz plans to get the stadium early after they arrive, to acclimate to the new facilities.

The Bulldogs are used to pressure-packed games to start the season on the road against an Power 5 opponent. Recent history shows a 2019 loss at USC; a 2023 win at Purdue; and 2024 loss at Michigan.

Bulldog Bites …

Entz announced S Camryn Bracha, CB Al’zillion Hamilton, LB Jadon Pearson, and C Jacob Spomer as team captains. All are seniors. Pearson is the only first-year player, transferring from Utah State.

Warner is on the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the top expected-to-graduate quarterback.

Bracha and WR Josiah Freeman are on the Comeback Player of the Year watch list. Both players suffered season-ending injuries last year.

The Bulldogs launched the Red Wave Reach aimed at youth and people with special needs to attend ball games. The athletic department is seeking participants and donors. More information can be found here.