‘Anything can happen’: Tailgaters at Fresno State’s home opener

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – It’s safe to say football fever is in Fresno, as Bulldog fans showed out in droves for the tailgate prior to the opening drive.

“Good food, you know, sometimes drinks good people, good music just gives the vibes,” tailgater Victoria Ramirez said.

The Fresno State tailgate has attracted fans for decades.

“I played the very first football game here in November, whatever, 1980 senior year. Then fast forward, my son, which I was number 52. My son, 56, was the starting center with Carr and their junior and senior year,” Former Fresno State Football Player Keeley Bramer said.

“I think for the tailgate it’s about a decade now or so. We started off in the purple lot and now we’re over here in the white lot,” Tailgater Eric Welch said.

“We meet a few of the newer players, has families that come through, especially those that come from out of the area, out of town, out of state,“ Tailgater Punkin Salazar said.

Thousands of fans braved the heat, as daytime high’s were in the triple digits.

“Lots of water. And as you can see, little generator turn on the fans and hope for the heat to leave us,” Tailgater Alfonso Ramos said.

“The heat for us isn’t really an issue. We got the swamp coolers out here. We have a vortex of just cold air flying through our tailgate. So it’s a little bit chilly there right now. The coolers are loaded. It’s cooler than cold right now,” Welch said.

The heat was not scorching expectations. The Bulldogs dropped the first game of the season to defending national champions Michigan, but fans are staying optimistic.

“Easy game for Fresno State. But you know what college games are very unpredictable. Anything can happen. And that’s what happened last year,” Ramos said.

“I think we’ll put up a 40 piece on them. I see it. I think it’ll be a 42-14,” Salazar said.

“I have faith in our Bulldogs. I’m going to say 28-13,” Ramirez predicted.

“Yeah, I’m not going to give a score, but we’re going to win it,” Bramer said.

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