The Fresno State football team released its schedule for the 2012 season today. The Bulldogs will begin their first season in the Mountain West Conference.
“Well it’s exciting,” said first-year head coach Tim DeRuyter. “We knew going into the Mountain West Conference it’d be a heck of a challenge. To see it finally put in writing, to know who exactly we’re playing and when, gives us a little more umph today in practice, I think.”
The Bulldogs start the season at home against Weber State Sept. 1, giving DeRuyter the opportunity to showcase his new offensive and defensive schemes in front of the Bulldog faithful. The ‘Dogs will play at home one week at a time, as they don’t have any consecutive home games next season.
DeRuyter said the schedule pattern wouldn’t affect them in terms of preparedness, but actually drive them to perform.
“It’s a neat challenge to go in and hear that silence when you make plays [in opposing stadiums], and that’s what our guys will rally around,” he added.
The ‘Dogs will then play back-to-back Pac-12 opponents, at Oregon Sept. 8 and at home against Colorado on Sept. 15. Fresno State will close out its nonconference competition the following week at Tulsa.
Fresno State will host San Diego State Sept. 29 in its inaugural game in the Mountain West. After the league opener, the ‘Dogs will play at Colorado State Oct. 6, and Boise State Oct. 13 for their only two consecutive road games. Fresno State will travel to Fort Collins, Colo., for the first time since 2003. The Boise State game will mark the 12th consecutive meeting between the two teams.
The Bulldogs will return home to host Wyoming on Oct. 20 before travelling to Albuquerque on Oct. 27 to play New Mexico.
The ‘Dogs will have three games in November, hosting Hawaii Nov. 3 and then at Nevada a week later. The Bulldogs will then have a bye week after playing 11-straight weeks to start the season.
After the bye, Fresno State will host its season finale against Air Force Nov. 24, the Saturday after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The ‘Dogs will play six games at Bulldog Stadium and six on the road.
The schedule announcement coincides with the team’s annual ticket-renewal period, said Senior Associate Athletic Director Paul Ladwig. Kickoff times and games selected for television will be released later.
Sept. 1 vs. Weber State
Sept. 8 at Oregon
Sept. 15 vs. Colorado
Sept. 22 at Tulsa
Sept. 29 vs. San Diego State*
Oct. 6 at Colorado State*
Oct. 13 at Boise State*
Oct. 20 vs. Wyoming*
Oct. 27 at New Mexico*
Nov. 3 vs. Hawaii*
Nov. 10 at Nevada*
Nov. 24 vs. Air Force*
*Mountain West Conference game