Fresno State and Rice will meet again on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at Valley Children’s Stadium, and the series history still heavily favours the Bulldogs. This is only the eighth football meeting between the programs, with Fresno State leading 6-1 all time.
For Rice head coach Scott Abell, now in his second season, the matchup brings another chance to measure his team against a familiar name with a strong edge in the series. Rice enters the game at 1-2, while Fresno State will look to extend its advantage in a matchup that has not happened often.
A rare series meeting with a clear historical edge
The fact that Rice and Fresno State have met only seven times before gives this one a different feel. There is no long rivalry history to lean on, just a small sample that has largely gone Fresno State’s way.
The most recent meeting came on Dec. 24, 2014, when Rice defeated Fresno State 30-6 in the Hawaii Bowl. That result stands out in a series that otherwise belongs to the Bulldogs, and it remains the only Rice win in the football matchup.
More than just football for valley fans
Valley locals may also remember Rice from the NCAA College Baseball World Series in Omaha, where Fresno State beat the Owls 17-5 en route to its first baseball National Championship. That memory adds another layer to a game that already carries a clear local interest.
When and where do they play? The answer is straightforward: Sept. 26, 7 p.m., at Valley Children’s Stadium. The broader question is whether Rice can close the gap in a series where Fresno State has usually held the upper hand.
