Fresno State’s “Blackout” game against Nevada on Saturday will be played before a full-capacity crowd at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs, ranked 16th in the Bowl Championship Series Standings, will debut their special all-black uniforms before a sold-out audience, “the earliest sellout in the modern history of 41,031 seats at Bulldog Stadium,” said Paul Ladwig, Fresno State’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations.
Tickets for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. contest between the undefeated Bulldogs (7-0 overall and 4-0 in Mountain West Conference play) sold out Tuesday. The university expected to sell out of tickets, Ladwig said, but a spike in sales on Monday catalyzed the sellout to happen earlier than anticipated.
This is Fresno State’s second sellout of the season — the Bulldogs’ Sept. 20 game against Boise State, a 41-40 win, was also sold out — and the first time since 2006 that Fresno State has had multiple sellout games in a season.
“I think it’s a testament to our team, our coaching staff and this community that they understand that there’s excitement about what’s going on here with Fresno State football this year,” Ladwig said.
Fresno State had roughly 2,000 tickets left to sell Tuesday after selling 3,100 on Monday. Fresno State entered the week having sold about 36,000 tickets.
The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Fresno State has won 10 straight games at home and is undefeated at Bulldog Stadium under second-year coach Tim DeRuyter. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear black.
“To know that people this early have already got their tickets, our guys are fired up and can’t wait for the Blackout on Saturday night,” DeRuyter said after Tuesday’s football practice.
The early sellout was not good news for fans who approached the Bulldog Ticket Office outside the stadium — where a huge “Sold Out” banner was hung — Tuesday afternoon looking to secure tickets.
Daniel Arellano, a Fresno State alumnus, hoped to buy tickets to the game for him, his girlfriend and brother Tuesday afternoon. But at that point, there were no more tickets left to sell.
“Since it was Tuesday, I was kind of disappointed that they sold out way before the game,” said Arellano.
That was not the case during the Boise State game, which did not sell out until the hours leading to kickoff.
But the perfect storm brewed, Ladwig said, for Saturday’s game. Fresno State is the only Mountain West team undefeated in conference play, is ranked in the BCS, features Heisman Trophy hopeful Derek Carr at quarterback and is looking for its first 8-0 start since 1989.
“Long term, I think it shows that this community is backing this football team,” Ladwig said. “This is a very special season.”
Tailgate lots will open at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and the team’s March to Victory will start at 4:30 p.m. at Bulldog Boulevard. Gates to Bulldog Stadium will open at 6 p.m.
The Bulldogs conclude their home slate at Bulldog Stadium Nov. 23 against New Mexico with kickoff tentatively set for 4 p.m.
