The dog days of summer are over, and fall sports return to Fresno State.
Football, volleyball, soccer, men’s golf and cross country start their last season in the Mountain West Conference in August. Women’s golf and the non-Mountain West equestrian team begin their seasons in September.
Fresno State legacies are on the line, new coaches will try to set the tone for their programs and everyone will chase a conference championship.
Football: 6-7 (4-3 Conference Record) in 2024, 4th in Mountain West
Several key starters have transferred or graduated, but no group has been hit harder than the receivers. Raylen Sharpe and Jalen Moss transferred out, and Mac Dalena was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterbacks Mikey Keene and Joshua Wood also transferred out.
Running back Malik Sherrod transferred to Fresno State’s rival, Boise State, to fill the void left by Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, who was drafted sixth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bulldogs will play the Broncos on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Albertsons Stadium. Notably, Sherrod did not play after a week five loss to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) due to an ankle injury.
Linebacker Phoenix Jackson and defensive back Julian Neal have also transferred out.
The obvious gain for the Bulldogs is Head Coach Matt Entz, but the offseason recruiting for the ‘Dogs plugged many holes that needed to be filled—signing four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three wide receivers, two linebackers and one running back through the transfer portal.
The non-conference schedule for the Bulldogs will serve as a litmus test to determine where the Bulldogs will finish in the Mountain West this season and how prepared the team is under Entz. A little Pac-12 tease in the schedule should also give the ‘Dogs some insight into their preparedness for the conference move.
The Bulldogs were picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West this season, and they will play three of the four teams ahead of them in the poll on the road: Boise State (first), San Jose State (third) and Colorado State (fourth). They will avoid the second-ranked UNLV this season. The home schedule for the ‘Dogs features four of the bottom five teams in the Mountain West.
It’s a pivotal year for the Bulldogs. A successful year can build momentum for Entz and the program as they transition into the Pac-12. Seeing where they stack up against their new conference foes this season will give the ‘Dogs insight into where they fall in the hierarchy.
Volleyball: 16-14 (12-6 Conference Record) in 2024, 4th in Mountain West
The Bulldogs lost nine players in the off-season after five seniors graduated and four players transferred out. Outside Hitter Ella Rud headlines these losses for the ‘Dogs. She averaged 3.67 kills per set, the second highest on the 2024 roster.
The Bulldogs added six freshmen to the roster, along with two transfers. Libero Olivia Lombardi transferred from the University of Iowa to team up with her sister, Gabby Lombardi.
The ‘Dogs play in four tournaments before conference play. They will host the Bulldog Invitational and play the Santa Clara University Broncos and the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Matadors in September.
Conference play for the Bulldogs sees them play all five 2024 tournament teams twice. San Diego State visits the ‘Dogs to begin their final season in the Mountain West.
The standings should reflect the best teams of 2025 after numerous forfeits. While the Bulldogs did not forfeit any games, Utah State, Boise State, the University of Wyoming and the University of Nevada, Reno conceded games to San Jose State.
Addison Haluska and Jenna Legault are some key players who return for the 2025 season. Action and energy will fuel the Save Mart Center and the Bulldogs to a Mountain West title in 2025.
Soccer: 7-9-3 (2-7-2 Conference Record) in 2024, 10th in Mountain West
A third losing season for the Bulldogs has them searching for answers in 2025. A 10-game conference slate gives the ‘Dogs room to improve from last season, with hopes of a conference tournament appearance.
Taking No. 10 Utah State to a tie and salvaging the conference slate last year with wins over Air Force Academy and San Jose State are nice positives, but the consistency for a whole season and building the momentum into conference play will get the Bulldogs into the Mountain West Tournament.
Women’s Golf: 5th in Mountain West/Men’s: 9th in Mountain West
Both seasons for men’s and women’s golf extend into the spring. Both groups will play in four tournaments in the fall before pausing play and returning to the links in the spring.
Mary Ritchie was hired to take over the women’s program on June 16. She spent the last 11 seasons coaching at the University of California, Riverside.
Cross Country
The Bulldogs had their best run with their female runners in the Mountain West. Chiara Pedol and Khushleen Khakh each ran their best sub-21-minute races. They did it in the same meet at the Riverside Invitational.
Pedol and Khakh became the fifth and sixth women in Fresno State history to run under 21 minutes in a race.Runners will have three meets before the 2025 Mountain West tournament on Friday, Oct. 31.
Equestrian: 7-7 (2-4 Conference Record) in 2024-25, 4th in Big 12
One of only two sports at Fresno State that do not compete in the Mountain West, the Bulldogs had their best season in the Big 12 since 2019-20 before the season was canceled.
The ‘Dogs ranked No. 4 but fell to No. 1-ranked Texas Christian University in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
Spring Recap: Baseball 31-29 (18-12 Conference Record) 1st in Mountain West
The Diamond ‘Dogs secured their second consecutive Mountain West title.
A 14-inning marathon semi-final game against the University of Nevada, Reno, propelled the ‘Dogs into the championship game. The ‘Dogs took down San Jose State in the championship game. Early offense gave them a 9-0 lead, and then they never trailed.
With clutch hitting all tournament, third baseman Murf Gray was named tournament MVP.
The Mountain West title put the ‘Dogs in the NCAA tournament regional with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where they lost consecutive games to UCLA and the University of California, Irvine.
After the season, head coach Ryan Overland signed a contract extension with Fresno State through the 2030 season.
Four Diamond ‘Dogs were drafted in 2025: Murf Gray and pitcher Jack Anker were selected 73rd and 173rd overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pitcher Aidan Cremarosa was selected 237th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. Catcher Justin Stransky was selected 301st overall by the Chicago Cubs.
Outfielder Bobby Blandford was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Athletics.
Softball: 37-20 (15-7 Conference Record) 2nd in Mountain West
The Bulldogs entered the Mountain West Tournament as the No. 3 seed and advanced through the winners’ bracket to reach the championship round.
The Bulldogs shut out San Jose State 2-0 and San Diego State 3-0 behind brilliant pitching from Mountain West Pitcher of the Year Serayah Neiss. She pitched 21.1 shutout innings in the tournament.
A battle against San Diego State, who the Bulldogs defeated in the opening round of the tournament, ended in defeat for the ‘Dogs. They dropped both championship games 3-1 to the Aztecs.
Upon the conclusion of the season, Head Coach Stacie-May Johnson accepted the head coach position at the University of Iowa. Former CSUN softball coach Charlotte Morgan was hired at Fresno State on June 14 to take over the program.
