The Bulldogs were sporting their brand-new uniforms during an
Aug. 15 press conference in front of the media. Fans were able
to see the new uniforms through a live streaming video on the
athletic website.
Photo by Dalton Runberg / The Collegian
A lot has changed since Fresno State was embarrassed on national television by Northern Illinois in the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl in December.
First, the Bulldogs lost four of five starters along the offensive line and three of four starters on the defensive line. They also were forced to replace a four-year starter at linebacker in Ben Jacobs and two-year starting defensive backs Lorne Bell and Desia Dunn, all unquestioned leaders on and off the field.
And that was just on one side of the ball.
Fresno State also needed to fill a vacancy left by signal caller Ryan Colburn, who recently signed with Sacramento’s United Football League squad.
A major change not found on the 2011 roster was the athletic department’s announcement of the FieldTurf installation in Bulldog Stadium.
But there is also a new change that is leaving the ‘Dogs feeling and looking the part to match their new playing surface. Before the Bulldogs travel to Candlestick Park next Saturday to battle the California Bears, they had the opportunity to flaunt their brand-new uniforms.
The new look was unveiled in front of the media on Aug. 15, but the fans could see it through a live streaming video on the athletic website.
Fans caught a glimpse of the new away uniforms, which are white with red letters and white pants, sporting a new number font and player last names on the back. On the sides of the jerseys there are new red stripes.
The home jerseys mirror the away look, but are traditional red with white letters and blue stripes on the sides. The pants are also all red. The helmet remained the same, including the “V” logo on the back, with the exception of a blue stripe addition.
Coach Pat Hill talked about a couple new features and benefits the uniforms present.
“I thought the design came out really well.” Hill said during the unveiling session. “The No. 1 thing I was concerned about was to get the lighter weight jersey and pants that breathe. If you notice the pants have the hip and kneepads sewn right into them and are still a lighter weight. In the past, we weren’t able to keep up with the new stuff that was coming out. We’ve had a greater relationship with Nike for 15 years and they gave it to us for a price that we could afford within our budget. It was really good to be able see the kids get something new.”
The uniforms will also come with matching cleats, socks and gloves.
At least one key senior player liked the fact that the new uniforms would come with all these matching things.
“Everything complements everything really well,” linebacker Kyle Knox, who was chosen as one of the players to model the new uniforms, said. “The helmet with the stripe and the V in the back is a nice little touch for the stripes on the side of the jerseys and the pants. To go along with the cleats, they also complement our socks and our gloves that we’re going to have. It’s just great to have a whole new type of uniform to come out in.”
Knox was one of the four players chosen to model the new uniforms. The other three were new quarterback Derek Carr, defensive tackle Logan Harrell and running back Robbie Rouse.
Sophomore Derron Smith wasn’t one of the players chosen to show off the new uniforms but he talked about what all these changes could mean going into this year.
“A lot more excitement,” Smith said. “Just getting new things going into a new season. Trying to go from good to great. That’s our saying. That’s what coach Hill has us thinking. It’s just getting our excitement and momentum going into a new season.”
You can view a video and photo gallery of the new uniforms here.