'Dogs Open Season at Rutgers

Fresno State announced some changes to the 2008 football schedule Tuesday morning. The 'Dogs will now open the season on Labor Day (Sept. 1) at Rutgers. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN, and replaces Kansas State on the schedule. The much anticipated matchup at the Rose Bowl versus UCLA has been moved to Sept. 27. However, it will now be televised by ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC.

The major schedule change is the addition of Rutgers, which replaces Kansas State on the 2008 schedule. The Bulldogs will open the season at Rutgers on Labor Day (Sept. 1) for a nationally televised game on ESPN at 1:30 p.m. PT.

Fresno State officials received notification from Kansas State a desire to cancel the final game of a three-game series with the Bulldogs, which opened the door for the Rutgers game. Fresno State was previously scheduled to play the Wildcats at Manhattan, Kans., Sept. 6.

"We are pleased that these late alterations to the 2008 football schedule accomplish the competitive and financial objectives for all the parties involved," said Fresno State's Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh.

"The modified schedule will provide Bulldog fans an additional ESPN broadcast and begin a series with Rutgers, a historic and nationally recognized football program." Rutgers will become the first Big East team to play the Bulldogs. Fresno State will continue the series with Rutgers, adding the Scarlet Knights to the home schedule for August 30, 2012. Rutgers played in the first-ever college football game against Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869, winning 6-4.

Under head coach Greg Schiano, the 2006 National Coach of the Year, Rutgers is coming off consecutive bowl game victories, a first in school history. The Scarlet Knights had a historic season in 2006, reaching No. 10 in the national polls. Ironically, Rutgers defeated Kansas State 37-10 to win the Texas Bowl that season for its first bowl victory in school history. Rutgers was 8-5 last season, which included a home win over No. 2 South Florida, and a win over Ball State in the International Bowl.

With the addition of Rutgers on Labor Day, Fresno State's previous season opener against UCLA has been pushed back to Sept. 27, 2008 at the Rose Bowl. The UCLA game will be televised on one of three networks (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2).

"The addition of Rutgers on Labor Day on ESPN is a special way to kickoff the 2008 season," said head coach Pat Hill. "Getting two more nationally televised games is a benefit for our program as we continue to showcase our great University."

2008 Football Schedule
Schedule tentative and is subject to change.
9-1-08	@Rutgers 1:30 p.m. ESPN
9-13-08	Wisconsin TBA (ESPN/ABC)
9-20-08	@Toledo TBA (BSN)
9-27-08	@UCLA TBA (ESPN/ABC)
10-4-08	Hawaii 7 p.m.
10-11-08	Idaho 7 p.m. (BSN)
10-25-08	@Utah State TBA
11-1-08	@Louisiana Tech TBA (BSN)
11-7-08	Nevada 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
11-15-08	New Mexico State 2 p.m.
11-21-08	@San Jose State 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
11-28-08	@Boise State 3 p.m. (ESPN2)