The Valley’s Quiet Giant
In the sprawling San Joaquin Valley, where agriculture reigns and football is a religion, Fresno State has long been a Group of Five titan, lurking in the shadows of Power Four glamour. Under Jeff Tedford, a Bulldog alum who returned as head coach in 2022, Fresno State reclaimed its place as a Mountain West powerhouse, culminating in a 9-4 record in 2024 despite Tedford’s health challenges. With a 26-11 record over three seasons, two Mountain West titles, and a legacy stretching back to his 2006-2019 tenure, Tedford’s second act has been nothing short of remarkable. But with his health uncertain and retirement looming, 2025 could be his final curtain call. Can Fresno State, led by quarterback Mikey Keene and a gritty roster, secure a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth and cement Tedford’s dynasty before a coaching transition? Here’s the fact-driven story of Fresno State’s 2024 resurgence, Tedford’s enduring impact, and the Bulldogs’ 2025 quest—all with a nod to the absurdity of building a football empire in a city known for raisins and 100-degree Septembers.
The 2024 Season: Grit Over Flash
Fresno State’s 2024 season was a testament to resilience, navigating Tedford’s health-related absences and a quarterback carousel to finish 9-4. Picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll, the Bulldogs went 6-2 in conference play, tying for second with UNLV. The season began with a 30-10 loss at No. 9 Michigan, a respectable showing where Keene threw for 223 yards against a top defense. A 46-22 win over Sacramento State followed, with running back Bryson Donelson rushing for 142 yards. A 48-0 shutout of New Mexico State showcased the defense, which forced three turnovers, including a pick-six by cornerback Cam Lockridge.
A 38-21 upset at UCLA on September 28 thrust Fresno State into the spotlight, with Keene’s 271 yards and three touchdowns earning a No. 25 AP ranking—the Bulldogs’ first since 2018. But inconsistency struck: a 45-27 loss at UNLV saw Keene benched for Joshua Wood, who threw two interceptions. Tedford, sidelined by heart surgery from August 12 to October 7, returned for a 22-21 win at Nevada, where Donelson’s 34-yard touchdown run with 1:08 left sealed it. A 33-10 rout of San Jose State and a 24-13 win at Hawaii kept momentum, but a 20-13 loss to Colorado State—where Keene threw three picks—hurt title hopes. Fresno State rebounded with wins over San Diego State (35-17), Air Force (28-14), and Wyoming (31-24), clinching a bowl berth.
The New Mexico Bowl on December 28, 2024, saw Fresno State edge Memphis 20-17, with Keene’s 305 yards and two touchdowns earning MVP honors. The 9-4 record matched 2022’s mark, Fresno State’s best since 2018’s 12-2. Offensively, the Bulldogs averaged 31.2 points per game (38th nationally) and 401.2 yards (34th), led by Keene’s 2,908 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Donelson (811 yards, eight touchdowns) and receiver Mac Dalena (44 catches, 612 yards) were key. Defensively, Fresno State allowed 23.2 points per game (52nd) and ranked 22nd in pass defense (187.8 yards per game), with 24 takeaways (20th). Their plus-8 turnover margin (18th) and 5.9 penalties per game (28th) reflected discipline.
Jeff Tedford: The Bulldog Legend
Jeff Tedford, Fresno State’s head coach from 2006 to 2019 and again since 2022, is the architect of the program’s modern era. A 1983 Fresno State alum who backed up Jim Sweeney, Tedford went 82-57 in his first stint, with nine bowl appearances and a 2008 New Mexico Bowl win. After coaching California (2002-2012, 82-57) and a CFL stint, he returned to Fresno State in 2022, signing a five-year, $1.55 million annual contract through 2026. His second tenure has been a renaissance: 26-11, with a 2022 Mountain West title, a 2023 New Mexico Bowl win, and a 2024 LA Bowl victory (Tedford missed the game for health reasons).
Tedford’s health has been a recurring concern. In August 2024, he underwent heart surgery for an undisclosed condition, missing fall camp and the first five games, with interim coach Tim Skipper going 3-2. Tedford returned October 7 but stepped away again for the bowl game, citing medical evaluations. On January 15, 2025, he confirmed his intent to coach in 2025, but sources indicate he may retire post-season, with Skipper or offensive coordinator Matt Mattox as likely successors. Tedford’s Air Raid offense, paired with a 4-2-5 defense under coordinator Kevin Coyle, has kept Fresno State competitive. His 108-68 record at Fresno State ranks him second in program history, behind Sweeney’s 144 wins.
Tedford’s impact transcends wins. He’s raised $2.5 million for Valley Children’s Hospital since 2017 and spearheaded a $250 million athletic facilities upgrade, including a 2023 weight room renovation. His recruiting—2024’s class ranked third in the Mountain West, with 16 signees—leans on California and Texas pipelines, producing stars like Keene, a UCF transfer, and Lockridge, a former walk-on with four interceptions in 2024.
Standout Performers and Returning Core
Fresno State’s 2024 roster blended veterans and breakout talents. Keene, a redshirt senior, was the engine, completing 65.8% of his passes and earning All-Mountain West Second Team honors. His 352-yard, three-touchdown performance against San Diego State was a highlight, though his 10 interceptions—three against Colorado State—showed inconsistency. Donelson, a junior, emerged as the lead back, while Dalena, a senior, led receivers with 13.9 yards per catch. Tight end Jalen Moss (22 catches, 315 yards) and receiver Jalen Gill (18 catches, 255 yards) added depth.
Defensively, linebacker Malachi Langley led with 88 tackles, earning All-Mountain West First Team, while defensive end Devo Bridges (6.5 sacks) and Lockridge (four interceptions) were disruptive. Safety Dean Clark (66 tackles, two interceptions) anchored the secondary, which held opponents to a 59.2% completion rate (19th nationally). Kicker Dylan Lynch, a freshman, went 16-for-19 on field goals, with a 50-yard long.
For 2025, Fresno State loses Keene, Dalena, and Bridges to graduation but returns Donelson, Moss, Gill, Langley, Clark, and Lynch. The offensive line, with four starters back, including tackle Braylen Nelson, is a strength. Transfers bolster the roster: quarterback Jayden Mandel (Wyoming, 1,142 yards in 2024) competes with redshirt freshman Joshua Wood to replace Keene, while running back Johnathan Edwards (Utah State, 412 yards) adds depth. Defensive end Korey Foreman (USC, 18 tackles) and cornerback Julian Neal (San Jose State, 33 tackles) shore up the defense. The 2025 recruiting class, with 14 signees, includes three-star quarterback T.J. Lateef and receiver Tiveon Morris.
The 2025 Schedule: A CFP Push
Fresno State’s 2025 schedule, partially released, sets up a CFP run. The Bulldogs open at Kansas (August 30), a Big 12 team they could upset, followed by Sacramento State (September 6) and New Mexico State (September 13), likely wins. A trip to USC (September 20) is daunting—USC went 8-5 in 2024—but Fresno State’s 2024 UCLA win proves they can compete. Mountain West play includes home games against Nevada (October 4), San Jose State (October 25), and San Diego State (November 8), plus road trips to UNLV (October 11), Hawaii (November 1), and Wyoming (November 15). The UNLV game, after 2024’s loss, is pivotal, as is a potential clash with Boise State, the Mountain West’s CFP representative in 2024.
The expanded 12-team CFP guarantees a Group of Five spot, and Fresno State’s No. 25 ranking in 2024 put them on the radar. Boise State, with quarterback Maddux Madsen returning, is the primary obstacle, but UNLV and San Diego State, transitioning to the Pac-12 in 2026, will be motivated. A 10-2 or 11-1 season is possible if Mandel or Wood delivers 2,500 passing yards and the defense maintains its turnover prowess (24 in 2024). A 9-3 finish is more likely, with losses to USC and Boise State, but a Mountain West title and CFP berth are within reach.
The Tedford Legacy and Transition
Tedford’s potential final season carries weight. Fresno State’s 44-20 record since 2017, including three bowl wins, is unmatched in the Mountain West save Boise State. The program’s $125 million stadium renovation, set for completion in 2026, and a $1.6 million NIL budget—top-five in the Group of Five—position Fresno State for sustained success. Tedford’s 2024 absence tested the staff, with Skipper’s 3-2 interim stint and Mattox’s play-calling (31.2 points per game) proving depth. A transition to Skipper, a Fresno State alum, or Mattox, a Tedford protégé, would preserve continuity.
Fan support is strong: Fresno State drew 41,012 for the UCLA game and averaged 38,672 in 2024, second in the Mountain West. Tedford’s “Red Wave” pregame walk and community events, like the 2024 Bulldog Bound youth clinic, keep the Valley engaged. The program’s academic success—22 players on the 2024 Mountain West All-Academic Team—reflects Tedford’s holistic approach.
The Dynasty That Never Left
Fresno State’s 2024 season wasn’t a fluke but a continuation of Tedford’s dynasty, built on Air Raid precision, defensive opportunism, and Valley pride. The Bulldogs’ 9-4 record, despite Tedford’s absences, showed resilience, and their 2025 roster—Donelson, Langley, and a bolstered line—has the pieces for a CFP run. Tedford’s health and retirement loom, but his legacy is secure: 108 wins, 11 bowl appearances, and a program elevated from obscurity to consistency.
In 2025, Fresno State can aim for 10-2 or 11-1, a Mountain West title, and a CFP berth, especially if Mandel steps up and the defense forces 20-plus turnovers again. A loss to Boise State or UNLV could derail the dream, but the Bulldogs’ 6.4 yards per play (25th in 2024) and 22nd-ranked pass defense give them an edge. This isn’t a forgotten dynasty—it’s a living one, and Tedford’s final act could be his greatest. In Fresno, where the Red Wave rolls and the heat never quits, the Bulldogs are barking loud.
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