Sept. 16, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - Last week Fresno State fans were treated to an announcement of an addition of 12 games to future Bulldog football schedules that will bring Mississippi, Colorado and Nebraska to Bulldog Stadium. In addition to those games, Athletics Director Thomas Boeh announced a home-and-home series with the University of Illinois will begin next fall.

The Fighting Illini, coached by Ron Zook, rank No. 22 in this week's Associated Press poll, will host Fresno State Nov. 21, 2009 and the Dogs host Illinois Dec. 4, 2010.

That means the Dogs will play two road games in 2009 at Big Ten schools currently ranked in the polls. In addition to Illinois, Fresno State plays at No. 8 Wisconsin.

Illinois was the Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl in 2007, its fifth appearance in the Rose Bowl. Illinois was 9-4 last season and ranked No. 20 in the final polls. In addition, the Fighting Illini played in the 2002 Sugar Bowl.

The Illinois program has produced some of the most recognizable names in football history, including George Halas, Red Grange and Dick Butkus.

Fresno State's 2010 home schedule projects to be one the best in school history with seven outstanding games. In addition to Cal Poly, a school the Dogs have not played since 1985, Fresno State will host teams from the Big East (Cincinnati) and Big Ten (Illinois). No Big East team has ever played in Bulldog Stadium. The WAC schedule that year has Hawaii and Nevada, along with Idaho and New Mexico State, playing in Fresno.

"We are pleased for our student-athletes and fans that this upcoming series with Illinois will bring another deeply respected Big Ten opponent to Bulldog Stadium," said Boeh.

Future Fresno State Home Opponents

2009
Sept. 5 vs. UC Davis

2010
Sept. 4 vs. Cal Poly
Sept. 18 vs. Cincinnati
Dec. 4 vs. Illinois

2011
Oct. 1 vs. Mississippi

2012
Sept. 15 vs. Colorado

2013
Aug. 29 vs. Rutgers
Sept. 7 vs. Cal Poly

"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs hit the road for a non-conference game at Toledo on Saturday, September 20 at 4 p.m. The `Dogs next home game is Saturday, October 4 as they battle Hawai'i at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.