Oregon State football early opponent preview: Fresno State

Two-time FCS national championship coach Matt Entz takes over the Fresno State football program in the final season before it joins

Oregon State

in the reformed Pac-12.

The Bulldogs went 6-7 last season with a loss to Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. It was a transition year of sorts after previous head coach Jeff Tedford stepped down due to health concerns, leaving the job to interim Tim Skipper.

With several key transfers on offense and a new quarterback battle, Fresno State is in flux but will have two games (Week 0 at Kansas, Week 1 vs. Georgia Southern) to figure some things out before making the trip to Corvallis.

Game 2: Fresno State at Oregon State

Date:

Sep. 6

Time:

12:30 p.m. PT

Location:

Reser Stadium

TV:

The CW

Fresno State offense preview:

As with Oregon State’s first opponent of the 2025 season, the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback transferred in the offseason. Mikey Keene is now at Michigan after nearly leading an upset victory over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season.

The most likely starter this season for the Bulldogs is veteran Rice transfer E.J. Warner — son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner — barring a major push from Sacramento State transfer Carson Conklin.

In his lone season at Rice after two at Temple, Warner completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,710 yards and 17 touchdowns — but threw 13 interceptions. Across his three years at the collegiate level, Warner has thrown 37 picks.

An OSU secondary eager to prove itself could have a strong showing against Warner if he remains turnover-prone. This is a Bulldogs team which lacked offensive production in general last season, scoring its fewest points since 2016 and struggling mightily on the ground, so it may not matter who starts under center.

Fresno State also lost its top three receivers and has an inexperienced offensive line.

Fresno State defense preview:

Led by lockdown cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton, the Bulldogs’ secondary is the clear strength of a defense with plenty of question marks. That should provide an early season test for Maalik Murphy and his stable of Beaver receivers.

Fresno State was 52nd in total defense last season but ranked 30th in third down percentage defense (.351). It remained in the middle of the pack in FBS in rushing defense (50th) and in passing yards allowed (62nd).

Enter new defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, who brings three years of success running Northern Illinois’ defense — highlighted by a 16-14 upset win over eventual national runner-up Notre Dame last September.

More OSU early opponent previews:

Game 1: California

Game 3: Texas Tech

Game 5: Houston

Game 6: Appalachian State

Game 7: Wake Forest

—

Ryan Clarke

covers the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter/X:

@RyanTClarke

. Find him on Bluesky:

@ryantclarke.bsky.social

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