With less than nine hours until kickoff, the Fresno State Bulldogs’ home game versus Oregon State has officially sold out. Fresno State announced via social media the final ticket was sold Saturday morning.
This is Fresno State’s second sellout in their last four home games dating back to 2021. Prior to that, Fresno State had not sold out a game since 2014 when the ‘Dogs hosted Nebraska. The current capacity for Valley Children’s Stadium is listed at 40,727 though the reported attendance for the most recent sellout was 41,031.
Saturday’s matchup has additional significance. Oregon State represents the first Power-5 school to visit Fresno State since 2019 (Minnesota) and the first Pac-12 team to visit since 2015 (Utah). Fresno State does not have another Power-5 home game scheduled until 2027 (Washington State). The Bulldogs will also not return home in the 2022 season for another 30-plus days as Fresno State hits the road for three away games and a bye week. The next home contest is Oct. 15 versus San Jose State.
However, many Red Wavers have plans to see the Bulldogs in person sooner than that. Fresno State will travel to No. 10 USC next week. Several thousand Red Wavers are anticipated to make the 200-plus mile trip for the Sept. 17 matchup.
SOLD. OUT. pic.twitter.com/ZnI97pibyz
— Fresno State Bulldogs (@FSAthletics) September 10, 2022
The Saturday sellout versus a Pac-12 opponent comes after Fresno State hosted 36,011 fans in the season-opener – a Thursday against FCS opponent Cal Poly in triple-digit heat. The Bulldogs won 35-7. The crowd was the second-largest in California for Week 1 with all seven FBS teams in California at home last week. The Bulldogs drew more fans than UCLA, Cal, Stanford and San Diego State – all four teams played on Saturday and SDSU was even debuting a brand new stadium.
Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford said, “For a Thursday game, for people to come out, I really appreciate the support the fans had for us tonight. I know that’s not easy on a Thursday night. I hope the fans continue to do that every week. We’re going to need the place packed next week obviously, it’s going to be a tough game. Any time the people come out to watch us, we really appreciate that.”
When it comes to this weekend’s sellout, Fresno State will look to shake off the poor performance of its last sold out home game in November of 2021. The Bulldogs were 7-2 and ranked No. 23 in the nation when Boise State visited and delivered a 40-14 defeat. The crowd also drew headlines as a fight spilled into the crowd.
The at-capacity Red Wave could be a difference-maker Saturday as Las Vegas oddsmakers have the Bulldogs and Beavers as the closest contest in the nation this weekend. The betting line is listed as a pick’em with a zero spread.
If you don’t have a ticket, the game will also be televised on national television by CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
