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Fresno State Wraps Up Non-Conference Play Against The Kent State Golden Flashes

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Football

Fresno State is getting ready to wrap up non-conference play before heading into the meat of the schedule against its Mountain West rivals. But first, the Bulldogs need to get through Kent State.

A Quick Look at Kent State

  • The Flashes have 19 new transfers on the roster and sport 11 new starters on offense this year.
  • Purdue transfer Mike Alaimo was named QB 1 out of fall camp with Tommy Ulatowski set to back him up.
  • Alaimo appeared in three games for the Boilermakers, tossing a touchdown in the bowl game against LSU...Threw for 2,800 yards and 23 touchdowns in high school career for St. Joseph’s Regional in New Jersey.
  • The Red-shirt junior has quickly established chemistry with Trell Harris and Chrishon McCray. Harris leads the squad with 208 yards while McCray has been a big play receiver over the middle and in the return game.
  • On the ground, Gavin Garcia has been the primary back, the sophomore had a career high 125 yards and two scores against CCSU last week. Through three weeks, Garcia has averaged 18 carries for 80 yards.
  • Joining Garcia in the backfield is a trio led by grad student Xavier Williams who has 22 carries this season and is a threat out of the backfield. Look for Colorado State transfer Jaylen Thomas and freshman Curtis Douglas to get carries as well.
  • Defensively, the Flashes held Arkansas to 300 yards of total offense in week two and backed that up with allowing 150 yards to CCSU, 83 of which came in the fourth quarter. The Flashes as a result, boast a top-25 pass defense, allowing just over 173 yards per game in the air.
  • Mizzou transfer Devin Nicholson leads the defense in tackles, averaging eight per contest, a mark good for 30th in the FBS.

A Quick Look at Fresno State

  • Fresno State won its 12th-straight game last Saturday, extending its active winning streak and keeping a hold on the second-longest streak in the FBS, behind only the top-ranked Georgia. 
  • Fresno State has started a season 3-0 for the first time since 2013. Two of those three wins came on the road in Power 5 territory at Purdue (Sept. 2) and at Arizona State (Sept. 16). It was the first time since 2004 that Fresno State defeated two Power 5 opponents in the regular season, both on the road. 
  • Fresno State has scored points in 17 consecutive quarters, dating back to the fourth quarter of the 2022 Mountain West Championship Game on Dec. 2. 
  • Fresno State's defense gained eight turnovers (5 INT, 3 FR) last weekend at Arizona State, tying the program's record for most turnovers gained in a game. The record was set when Freson State had six INTs and two FR in its game against Montana State on Nov. 16, 1968. 
  • Fresno State senior cornerback Carlton Johnson was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, leading Fresno State's defense to a 29-0 shutout victory on the road at Arizona State last Saturday.
  • Sixth-year senior Erik Brooks began his career as a walk-on in 2018, and has since earned his scholarship, a starting spot on the offense, and the title of team captain. Brooks leads the Bulldogs with 28 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 123.0 yards per game. He ranks fifth in the FBS in receiving yards per game and sixth in total receiving yards. The senior has had two 100-yard receiving games in three games played this season.
  • Brooks and Keene connected on 11 completions last weekend, it was the most receptions by a Bulldog since Josh Harper (12) on Oct. 10, 2014 at UNLV.
  • DE Kemari Munier-Bailey has had a hand in three of Fresno State's turnovers this season as he has two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Munier-Bailey became the first Bulldog player since 2020 to record one fumble recovery and one forced fumble in a game as he did both at Arizona State. He is currently second in the FBS standings in fumbles recovered this season.

Kent State at Fresno State, The Matchup

  • The teams will be meeting for the first time in program history this weekend. Saturday's game marks the third game this season where Fresno State is meeting with an unfamiliar opponent. 
  • Saturday's contest is also Fresno State's third this year against a first-year head coach.
  • Fresno State safety and Ohio native Dean Clark will meet his former teammates this weekend. Clark spent three seasons at Kent State as a safety. During his time there he played 34 games and totaled 109 solo tackles in his career. Clark also earned a career high 13 tackles in a single game vs. Wyoming ('21). 
  • Wide receiver Isaiah Batton transferred to Kent State from Fresno State and has seen participation in two games (UCF, CCSU) in his first season with the Golden Flashes. Batton spent two seasons with the Bulldogs (2021-22). He appeared in two games and was a Mountain West scholar-athlete in his final season with the 'Dogs. 
  • Saturday is Boots and Buckles Night at Valley Children's Stadium. 
  • Fresno State looks for its sixth-straight home win, dating back to Oct. 15, 2022.
  • If Fresno State wins, it will be the first time since 2013 that the 'Dogs finish undefeated against non-conference opponents.

Fresno State (3-0) vs Kent State (1-2) will air nationally on CBSSN, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT Saturday night at Valley Children's Stadium in Fresno, California.