Emedina00, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Team History
A team that has been pretty good throughout their history, they have a 10+ win season in 5 consecutive decades. In the late 80's under Jim Sweeney they figured something out, and since then they've regularly been one of the top G5 programs. They will be a team to watch this season, as they just tapped the old coach at North Dakota State to run their program.
Recent Coverage
Which G5 Schools Spend the Most on NIL?
2025-08-12 • Here we take a look at actual figures that have been made public to put together a picture of the NI...
The G5 Heisman: Best of the 21st Century
2025-06-24 • If the Group of 5 had its own Heisman, these are the players who would've won it. From LT to Ashton ...
Quick Facts
Peak of Program
In 2018 they went 12-2 and won the conference championship. They had the #3 defense and finished ranked #18 that season.
Rock Bottom
In 2016 they went 1-11 to follow up a 3-9 season. The program needed a rebuild to get back on track.
Best Ever Player
Derek Carr (QB, 2009-2013): 2 time Mountain West offensive player of the year. His # is retired at Fresno. Threw for 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns his senior season.
Best Ever Coach
Jim Sweeney (1976–1996): Led the team to 8 conference championships, had a run where they appeared in the polls 5 years in a row.
Stadium
Valley Children's Stadium (Jim Sweeney Field)
First Season
1921
Enrollment
26,000