Just over 700 Fresno State football fans were expected to be at Thursday’s second annual kickoff dinner in downtown Fresno.

The event was held in the Fresno Convention Center new exhibit hall on M Street, two blocks south of Courthouse Park. It was moved to the exhibit hall this year because more seating capacity was required. This year’s dinner was announced as a sell-out about a week ago.

Bulldogs head football coach Jeff Tedford said the dinner was “a great way to kick off the season. The fans are an important part of why we do what we do, so it’s fun to relax and spend some time with them.”

Fresno State football players joined Tedford and the other coaches at the dinner, which raises money for the football program. Five members of the Bulldogs spirit squad and mascot Timeout greeted people as they arrived. Members of the Bulldog Marching Band were there to entertain the crowd.

Tedford said of the “Run to Victory” planned for the home opener on Sept. 1, “students are a big part of what we do. It’s exciting to get them more involved.”

Fresno State Athletic Director Terry Tumey announced at the new student convocation on Monday that all new students who came to the game will get free food, free swag and free tickets — and could run across the field before the 7 p.m. kickoff.