Fresno State offensive coordinator Josh Davis and defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto expect improved execution as the Bulldogs prepare to host Georgia Southern on Aug. 30, 2025. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- Offensive coordinator Josh Davis says the Bulldogs must clean up mistakes and stick with the run game.
- Defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto emphasizes containing the quarterback and winning one-on-one battles.
- Fresno State will honor late president Joseph Castro before Saturday’s game and debut new entry procedures at Valley Children’s Stadium.
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Fresno State’s offensive and defensive coordinators have a plan to bounce back from the opening-week football loss at Kansas of the Big 12.
Bulldogs vs. Georgia Southern
Date/time: Saturday, Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Valley Children’s Stadium
TV: FS1 (Dan Hellie & Petros Papadakis)
Betting line: Georgia State is favored by 1.5 points (ESPN Bet)
Both Josh Davis and Nick Benedetto agree that their sides of the ball did not execute last week in Lawrence.
Davis credited Kansas’ defense, but admired the Bulldogs “brotherhood” in the effort.
Regarding quarterback E.J. Warner’s three turnovers — two interceptions and one lost fumble — Davis said “Mistakes are going to happen on the football field. How we react to mistakes defines our character. It kind of defines the leadership ability of that position group. That’s an area where I thought we could be better.”
Davis plans to keep relying on the running game vs. Georgia Southern, a Sun Belt Conference team playing its season opener. The Bulldogs ran 29 times for 75 yards (statistically, that includes three sacks for a loss of 31).
“Winning football is running the football. We’re gonna stay stubborn in that area,” Davis said.
The Bulldogs averaged only three yards on first down. Davis has a plan for that — clearly communicated audibles for starters.
“Those 11 one-on-ones that happen every play — we need to win them,” Davis said.
D-Fense!
Benedetto expects a spread offense from Georgia Southern. But, he has a gameplan. The Bulldogs have been practicing this week with a quick tempo.
“It’s going to be winning the one-ones on the edge and being able to stop the run. I think that’s a big thing. Making sure our guys, we can get the offense behind the sticks … that’ll be a huge part of emphasis for us and making sure we can get them off schedule,” Benedetto said.
Benedetto also wants to contain the quarterback better, something they could not do with Kansas’ Jalon Daniels.
For the Bulldogs to get the first ‘W’ of the season, Benedetto will rely on linebacker Jadon Pearson, and defensive backs Camryn Bracha and Al’zillion Hamilton.
“Those guys run the show for us,” Benedetto said.
Bulldog Bites …
Athletics Director Garrett Klassy said late former university president Joseph Castro will be honored prior to Saturday’s game with a moment of silence and pregame recognition.
The Bulldogs will wear all red for Saturday. The team will again wear the Bulldog-logo helmet.
Fresno State reminds fans of this year’s procedures to enter the game — two new gates in the northwest and southwest of Valley Children’s Stadium. Both new gate are accessible from the white lot off of Millbrook Avenue.
There will be faster screenings with 10 new high-speed metal detectors. Fans will NOT have to empty bags or pockets. The clear bag policy is still in effect.
Fans are allowed to bring one sealed water bottle. Free water is available in the stadium at concession stands.
Drop-off is available on the north and south sides of the stadium; postgame pickup is on the north side only.
This Week in the Mountain West/future Pac-12
All times Pacific
Thursday results:
USF 34, No. 25 Boise State 7
Wyoming 10, Akron 0
San Diego State 42, Stony Brook 0
Friday:
UNLV (1-0) at Sam Houston (0-1), 6:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz & Robert Turbin)
Central Michigan (0-0) at San Jose State (0-0), 7:30 p.m., FS1 (Trent Rush & Will Blackmon)
Saturday:
Bucknell (0-0) at Air Force (0-0) , 12:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network (Jordan Kent & Ben DiNucci)
Nevada (0-0) at #3 Penn State (0-0), 12:30 p.m., CBS/CBS 47/Paramount+ (Brad Nessler & Gary Danielson)
New Mexico (0-0) at #14 Michigan (0-0), 4:30 p.m., NBC/KSEE 24/Peacock (Noah Eagle & Todd Blackledge)
UTEP (0-0) at Utah State (0-0), 4:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network (Fran Charles & Taylor McHargue)
Eastern Michigan (0-0) at Texas State* (0-0), 5 p.m., ESPN+ (Brant Freeman & Bill Culhane)
Idaho (0-0) at Washington State* (0-0), 7 p.m., CW Network/CW 59 (Rick Allen & Ryan Leaf)
Hawai’i (1-0) at Arizona (0-0), 7:30 p.m., TNT/HBO Max (JB Long & Mike Golic Jr.)
California (0-0) at Oregon State* (0-0), 7:30 p.m., ESPN (Dave Flemming & Brock Osweiler)
Colorado State (0-0) at Washington (0-0), 8 p.m., Big Ten Network (Mark Followill & Lincoln Kennedy)
*2026 Pac-12 member not currently in the Mountain West; most announcer info from 506 Sports.
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