Fresno State wide receiver Josiah Freeman said he is connecting with quarterback E.J. Warner in more ways than just his 17 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

He and the Bulldogs’ other receivers have been meeting with Warner away from the scheduled times.

“We’re getting a feel for what he’s thinking, what he wants us to do. So, if we just do what he asks us to and be where he asks us to be, then he’s going to get us the ball,” Freeman said.

“He’s definitely, from I think from your perspective, he’s a quiet guy. In the locker room, he opens up a little bit, he is a jokester, that’s what I would say. He has some clever jokes and he’s just real funny. He’s good guy to be around,” Freeman said.

The Bulldogs have yet to produce a 100-yard receiver in their first six games. Freeman hopes that changes tonight at Colorado State.

“They’ve got a lot of man coverage. So it’s going to give us opportunities to make some big plays down the field and hopefully a 100-yard game coming,” Freeman said.

Hamilton on Defensive Plan

Cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton is praising his teammates’ week-to-week improvement.

“We preach being fast and physical and communicating with each other. So this week you’ll just see an improvement to our defense,” Hamilton said.

Fresno State almost let the Nevada game slip, allowing two second-half touchdowns to bring the game to 20-17. The defense held on for the win.

Hamilton said the key is not to panic, and for the Bulldogs to keep motivating each other.

In the first half, three of Hamilton’s teammates intercepted Wolf Pack passes — Camryn Bracha, K’vion Thunderbird, and Simeon Harris.

“I want to join back, but it’s not I’m not really stressing. Whenever the play is coming to me, I’m going to make them. But I’m happy our whole defense are making plays together,” Hamilton said.

Walton Expected to Return Friday

Freshman left tackle Brayden Walton is expected to return Friday, after missing last week’s game with an injury.

Walton was initially listed as out for Hawai’i, but upgraded to questionable the day of the game. He dressed but did not play, a coach’s decision.

“We felt like if we could give him 72 more hours to continue to heal up,” head coach Matt Entz said this week.

Walton is not listed on the availability report, released Wednesday evening. New entries include wide receiver Ezekiel Avit, who is listed as questionable.

Several others on the report last week have healed and are no longer on the list. Offensive lineman Gino Quinones is upgraded to questionable.

RotoWire.com, a sports betting analysis website, ranks Fresno State as the seventh-most injured team in the nation based on its metrics. Rutgers is at the top of the list.

This Week in the Mountain West/Future Pac-12

All times Pacific

Saturday, Oct. 11:

Washington State§ (3-2) at No. 4 Mississippi (5-0), 9:45 a.m., SEC Network (Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb)

Air Force (1-4, 0-3 Mountain West Conference) at UNLV (5-0, 1-0 MWC)*, 12:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz, Robert Turbin)

Wake Forest (3-2) at Oregon State§ (0-6), 12:30 p.m., The CW/CW 59 in Fresno (Ted Robinson, Ryan Leaf, Nigel Burton)

San Jose State (2-3, 1-0 MWC) at Wyoming (2-3, 0-1 MWC)*, 4 p.m., CBS Sports Network (Jordan Kent, Logan Ryan)

Troy (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) at Texas State§ (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt), 5 p.m., ESPN+ (Brant Freeman, Keith Moreland)

New Mexico (3-2, 0-1 MWC) at Boise State (3-2, 1-0 MWC)*, 6:45 p.m., FS1 (Noah Reed, Robert Smith)

San Diego State (4-1, 1-0 MWC) at Nevada (1-4, 0-1 MWC)*, 7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network (John Sadak, Taylor McHargue)

Utah State (3-2, 1-0 MWC) at Hawai’i (4-2, 1-1 MWC)*, 9 p.m., Spectrum/MW App (Kanoa Leahey, Rich Miano)

* MWC game; § 2026 Pac-12 member not in 2025 MWC; most announcer info from 506 Sports.