Fresno State football players made it clear that now is not the time to celebrate.
They are excited about their future in the Mountain West Conference, but the team is focused on competing in the WAC for now. The Bulldogs want to “go out with a bang.”
Quarterback Derek Carr commented on the team’s reaction to hearing the big news. “We were excited. It’s going to be fun to play against that kind of competition… We’re excited to play in the Mountain West. But we’re really focused, right now, on the schedule we got right now.”
Carr does not know just how competitive the new conference will be. “I don’t know; we haven’t played them yet. So we’re going to find out.”
Carr said the team would not be affected by any rivalries lost or gained. “It doesn’t really matter… We’re going to come out game by game and play.”
The news was a pleasant surprise for freshman receiver Victor Dean. The San Diego native was excited to hear he would get to play in his hometown, as the ‘Dogs will soon be conference mates with San Diego State.
“I was real excited,” said Dean. “We get to play at San Diego State, that’s where I’m from. I was just real excited and ready to really just get this season out of the way first.”
The opportunity to join a new conference was not a topic that influenced Dean to become a Fresno State student-athlete. “We really just talked about the season coming up and how I could help with the team this year.” Dean said. “I’m ready for the season to come up and hopefully we have a successful season.”
Sophomore linebacker Travis Brown was also excited about the move.
“It’s a big deal,” said Brown. “It’s going to be exciting. But we’re just trying to take care of the WAC right now… We got a big year this year.”
Brown is very familiar with the WAC foes and rivalries. He had mixed feelings about some of the rivalries the school will be leaving behind, but also gaining. “I think the two big opponents that are going to be in it with us, Boise and Nevada. Those are always big games… We’re going to miss out on some, but we’re going to gain a lot.”
Brown is not looking too far ahead for now though, “I just want to take care of it when it gets there. I want to enjoy the time in the WAC that we got right now, and end it with a bang, and just go out as WAC champions.
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