FACULTY PARKING FOR PREGNANT MOMS Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper
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Wednesday, September 4, 2019
PORTRAITS ON THE BORDER Fresno State grad paints murals of those deported
Page 4 Courtesy Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana
Frat suspended NEWS
INSIDE :
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Reyna right call? SPORTS
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SUMMER'S CHILLING FILMS FOR SPOOKY CINEMA FANS
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
GOT TIPS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU
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FRONT PAGE
Campus opens up faculty parking to expecting students
By Rachel Lewis Reporter
Faculty parking is open to pregnant students starting fall 2019 to help limit the commute across campus. Expecting students will have to buy a student parking pass and register with Fresno State’s Services for Students with Disabilities Department (SSD). The SSD will then determine how long the student will get to use faculty parking based on how far along she is in her pregnancy and her due date. The SSD will pass along this information to the Parking and Transportation Department, so it can clear the student’s license plate in its system. Bernadette Tasy, former president of Students for Life at Fresno State and the main advocate for this new campus policy, said, “I think it’s important that we do different things to support our pregnant student community. I think they’re often a forgotten population.” Tasy, now a Fresno State graduate and president for Fresno Pro-Life Future, became aware of this issue after speaking with current co-vice president of Students for Life at Fresno State and speech pathology major Jessica Riojas. Riojas, a pregnant student in 2017, said the commute from the student parking lots to campus was difficult and long, often leaving her stressed, late for class and exhausted. “My speech pathology classes were really far from the parking lot, and it was in the day. So my classes were at 11:30 a.m., the prime time for parking on campus,” Riojas said. “I was seven, eight and nine months pregnant and having to do that huge walk to campus. I remember that being one of the most dreadful times I’ve had at college.” Tasy, on behalf of Students for Life at Fresno State, began advocating for designated pregnant student parking in October 2018. After taking the issue to the Parking and Transportation Department, then to SSD and finally directly to President Dr. Joseph I. Castro, Tasy at first was able to get approval to create two parking stalls located near the Henry Madden Library and the Thomas Building. Recognizing that two parking stalls could not cater to the entire pregnant student population at Fresno State, the university opted to open up faculty parking to qualifying pregnant students. Though the two stalls originally requested
by Students for Life at Fresno State have still been created with a twohour parking limit. They are meant to cater to pregnant campus guests rather than students. “We aren’t going to have a problem with needing more spaces. Usually, when you create things like this, it creates a higher demand for that thing, but this method gets out in front of that a little bit,” said Derek Brantley, interim Parking and Transportation manager. “It opens up those two spaces and provides more opportunities for more parking for those who need it.” Tasy, Riojas and current co-president of Students for Life at Fresno State, Ryan Yang, were surprised to learn that not only had they secured two designated parking spaces for pregnant guests, but that Fresno State opened up faculty parking as well. Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian Yang said, “On part Fresno State offers two-hour parking stalls for pregnant students and guests in the parking lot of our members as a near the Henry Madden Library. whole, we worked really hard to get this into fruisaid. “However, I do have questions about why Mercado-Lopez said. “It's important to recogtion. It was surprising to get this through. We’re they were created. If it was to accommodate nize parenting in its many forms and involve really proud.” the physical challenge of pregnancy, I would a diversity of voices and experiences into the Overall, Fresno State and Students for Life say that the premise of that notion is ableist conversation.” at Fresno State have received positive feedback and perpetuates the idea that pregnancy is a Though she recognizes the visibility desigover the pregnant parking stalls according to disability.” nated pregnant parking gives to pregnant and Brantley, but there are some critics who say that Mercado-Lopez has been working to collect parenting students on campus, Mercado-Lopez the parking advancements made in relation to data on student parents to better understand suggested the creation of centralized space for pregnant students doesn’t go far enough. their needs and required resources. In one of student parents to receive resources and guidDr. Larissa Mercado-Lopez from the womthe surveys she conducted, her results indicated ance from a designated staff person working on en’s studies department and campus advocate that most student parents are concerned about student-parent efforts in addition to parking. for pregnant and parenting students, is one of financial resources, time management, childRiojas also pointed out continued advancethe people who has raised concerns. care services and access to basic needs. No one ments that she wants to see Fresno State make “What I like about the stalls is that they do made mention of parking. concerning parenting students on campus. provide a visible show of support for pregnant “Supporting pregnant students is wonder“I took my daughter to Dog Days, and we students, staff and faculty. This is absolutely ful. But according to my students, pregnancy went to lunch at Bulldog Grill,” Riojas said. important for fostering inclusion and combatis usually the easiest part of their experience, “But there aren’t any high chairs, so I want to ing stigma at Fresno State,” Mercado-Lopez particularly if they don't have children already,” see what Students for Life can do about that.”
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS
FRONT PAGE
Fresno State earns magazine top-25 ranking By Jennifer Reyes Reporter
Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian
The Fresno State Sigma Chi fraternity chapter has been suspended by the university until Feb. 3, 2020, due to underage drinking of alcohol, several incidents of physical assault and noise violations.
Sigma Chi frat suspended By Seth Casey Editor in Chief
The Fresno State Sigma Chi fraternity chapter has been suspended through Feb. 3, 2020, due to underage drinking of alcohol, several instances of physical assault and noise violations at a fraternity-sponsored event on May 5, 2019, according to a university news release on Aug. 30. The fraternity may regain recognition and most of the privileges that come with full recognition if it satisfies certain university-imposed conditions, such as completing a risk-management program, the release stated. It will not regain its right to serve alcohol to students at its functions, even those of legal age, until May 25, 2020. The fraternity will be permitted to hold two chapter meetings a month to discuss risk-management programs, chapter business and philanthropy and community service projects. “We expect our students to be responsible and comply with university policies while en-
suring the safety of other students,” Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said in the release. “We hope our students – future leaders of our communities – will learn, grow and develop from this situation.” Fresno State and the Department of Athletics have taken action regarding student-athletes who are alleged to be involved in the incident, according to the release. However, the university is prohibited from commenting on actions or charges made against individual students, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and university policy. The university received reports of the incidents in May and placed the fraternity on interim suspension immediately as it began its review. The fraternity had no university recognition, and its rights and university privileges were restricted during its interim suspension. The Sigma Chi national headquarters was also notified of the situation by the university. The fraternity headquarters also placed the chapter on interim suspension pending the results of the investigation and an organizational
hearing. The university’s review of the incident included a number of steps to fully assess what transpired and to allow for appropriate due process. Upon completion of its investigation, the Fresno State Police Department submitted its report to the Dean of Students Office and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. The Dean of Students Office also conducted its own review in accordance with the California State University student-conduct policy, which included interviews and hearings in an effort to determine whether any action would be necessary against alleged responsible individuals and/or the fraternity, who may have violated any university student-conduct codes. In addition, Lamas heard the fraternity’s appeal. Regarding an instance involving injuries sustained by one of the fraternity members, the university was unable to substantiate findings against any single individual due to the lack of sufficient reliable evidence. Fresno State remains willing to reopen its investigation should new reliable evidence emerge, the release stated.
Fresno State was ranked No. 24 out of 395 public and private universities for its fourth year in the Washington Monthly magazine. The university stands high in the Top 25 with six Ivy League institutions, six University of California campuses, MIT and top-ranked Stanford University in company. “Real improvement will mean following the example of institutions like [Fresno State], our 24th-ranked national university, which enrolls an unusually large number of low-income and first-generation students and helps them graduate into good-paying jobs,” the magazine said in a news release. For the past 15 years, the Washington Monthly magazine has ranked universities with a different twist called “a different kind of college ranking,” instead of looking for universities known for prestige and wealth. The magazine focuses on social mobility, service and research, providing an annual list of top national universities. Fresno State stands out with its transformative educational experience, combining classroom learning with hands-on experiences and community collaboration for its students. This fall, Fresno State welcomed 23,622 students to campus, about 89 percent of them were from the Central Valley. The 2019-2020 state budget that recently passed will allow Fresno State to bring in about 1,000 additional upper-division transfer students in the spring. “We are proud to be recognized as a leading public university in the nation for expanding educational opportunity for diverse students and conducting research that benefits all,” said Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro in a news release. “Just as importantly, these rankings place a premium on public service, which transforms our surrounding communities, where more than 80 percent of our alumni choose to stay and work.”
A&E
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
COVER STORY
Fresno State graduate leads mural project displaying art of deported immigrants By Marilyn Castaneda | News Editor Growing up in Fresno, Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana recalls being surrounded by an intense art scene that would later inspire her to commission a mural on the United States-Mexico border wall in Tijuana. The love for art wasn’t her only inspiration. Her father, from Guadalajra, Jalisco, had also crossed the Tijuana border years ago. “I wanted to do something different,” De La Cruz Santana said. “In 2016, it was my first time visiting Playas de Tijuana, and I saw all the art work there and wanted to contribute in some way.” And three years later, she did. The portraits of six immigrants, who migrated to the U.S. at one point are now painted on canvases at Playas de Tijuana that hug the border’s steel bars. From Aug. 1 to 9, De La Cruz Santana led her team of artists, including Central Valley muralist Mauro Carerra, to complete the project funded by a fellowship granted by the Mellon Public Scholars Fellowship. This project is part of her dissertation at UC Davis, where she currently is working on her Ph.D. in Spanish with an emphasis on human rights. De La Cruz Santana, 28, was born in Compton and later moved to Fresno during her sophomore year of high school. She then graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Spanish. To add a more personal touch, the mural includes an interactive feature allowing visitors to scan a QR code placed next to each canvas with an iPhone or scanning app to get access to personal stories. “I didn’t want for people to just see the faces and not understand it,” De La Cruz Santana said. “If you add the QR codes, you can add an explanation of why this is the case. That’s what I wanted.” The links will take you to a YouTube video about each individual, in which he or she narrates his/her life and situation. In addition, De La Cruz Santana developed two digital archives, Humanizing Deportation and DACAmented: Dreams without borders, that include more stories told by various immigrants.
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New campus group advocates black feminism By Jennifer Reyes Reporter
Courtesy Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana
A volunteering artist works on the mural project painting a portrait of Isaac I. Rivera, one of the six immigrants who shared their story as a repatriated childhood arrival, in Playas de Tijuana. The primary goal of the mural, De La Cruz Santana said, is to pose the question: “Who are the real childhood arrivals to the United States?” Central to her dissertation, De La Cruz Santana seeks the answer to this question through art and testimonies given by people she personally knows. Among the six portraits painted on the border are three women and three men. Two of the women are DREAMer moms and one of the men is a U.S. veteran who, after living in the
U.S. for more than 50 years, was deported when his green card was revoked. “What I’m really trying to do for the people that I selected, specifically, is to get them some type of legal help,” De La Cruz Santana said. She recently received a second fellowship and hopes to return next year to potentially touch-up the mural or continue adding to it. As for now, De La Cruz Santana and her team of artists will commence the second phase of the project on Sept. 14-15 in Playas de Tijuana.
The Fresno State Leadership and Social Justice (LSJ) team hosted a first-time event aimed at educating students about feminism and street harassment that occurs within the black community on Aug. 28 at the University Student Union balcony. “[Students] should be aware of the injustices that happen. Primarily for this instance, it’s about feminism and street harassment,” student LSJ team coordinator Sophie Karas said. “Just being aware of [our] surroundings and standing up for each other if they see injustice happening.” At the event, students had the opportunity to gather together in a circle and share with one another poems, tears, laughter and thoughts geared toward helping everyone feel welcomed in a group where everybody looked similar to one another but could find their own individuality. During the summer of 2019, the student group came together and formed as the suggestion was brought up that there should be events focused on bringing awareness to social justice and feminism on campus. One of the primary reasons and inspiration for the first feminism awareness event happening was from the actions of social worker and activist Feminista Jones. She gained popularity on Twitter as a blogger who used her voice to create a feminist movement in June 2019, coining the term #YouOkaySis to combat against women constantly dealing with street harassment. After Jones witnessed a mother walking down the streets with her child being catcalled and asking if the woman was ok, that experience turned into a movement for both men and women to stop such harassment by speaking up for others. “I feel like a lot of times, we don't always get to come together and talk about what we are going through,” attendee Mia Richardson said. “I feel like a lot of times, college does not prioritize our mental health – black people specifically.” --Story continued at collegian.csufresno.edu
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
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THE COLLEGIAN • A&E
REVIEW
Chillers, thrillers and killers this year By Christina Tran A&E Editor
Over the past three months, there have been a string of movies released that have come across as spooky themed to give film fans a chilled atmosphere in the theaters. Beginning with the month of June, there have been many thrillers, dramas, mysteries and horror movies that span from reinventions of classic movies and children’s books that come to life to the common tropes of something normal in a small town quickly turning into an inescapable nightmare. The following movies were some hot films from this summer that garnered a lot of attention for their popularity and familiarity while entertaining avid moviegoers and lovers of suspense, gore and so much more:
theme focuses on choosing one woman who becomes the official May Queen, but the mystery surrounding the Swedish natives takes a dark turn when foreign visitors begin disappearing and immoral choices strike fear in participants of this cult-like festival.
‘Child’s Play’ The thriller and slasher-themed horror flick from the ‘80s returns again as the revamped Chucky doll comes to life for a little boy named Andy. The murderous doll is given as a present to Andy and develops a twisted fixation on friendship as one by one, the people closely associated with Andy find a gruesome death awaiting them. With new plot developments that differ from the original film series, this adaptation truly brings to light the terror of obsession, murder and revenge converging together as one.
‘Midsommar’
‘Annabelle Comes Home’
A group of friends plan a trip to visit Sweden, one of their homelands, for a cultural festival and are unprepared for the sinister atmosphere that awaits them. The celebration’s
The Conjuring Universe centers itself once again on the infamous cursed doll named Annabelle. It has been locked up for the world’s safety inside of an artifacts room belonging to
“If you are contemplating what to do with your bachelor’s degree in Psychology consider law school. Your degree fulfills the education prerequisites.” Kelsey T. Schulteis
Psychology, Fresno State, Juris Doctor Candidate
Law School 101
tuesday, september 24, 2019 from 7-9pm
you’re invited to this free program to learn more about the legal profession and what a law degree can do for you! at this forum you will be introduced to law school, from courses offered to admission requirements. register now: www.sjcl.edu or 559/323-2100 SJCL admitS StudentS of any raCe/ CoLor, reLigiouS Creed, nationaL origin/anCeStry, age, gender, mentaL or phySiCaL diSabiLity, mediCaL Condition, maritaL StatuS, or SexuaL orientation.
Deadline to Register for the Oct. 28 LSAT is Sept. 10
Tribune News Service
Pennywise, the shapeshifting embodiment of fear and evil, returns in "IT Chapter 2" on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. paranormal investigators Ed and Lorrain Warren. All has been quiet surrounding their lives and house until their daughter’s friend accidentally wakes up all of the evil spirits inside of that room as her innocent curiosity leads the Warren family into a terror-filled night. As the third movie focuses on the possessed doll’s past and unholy nature, the Warrens must learn how to find a way to purify their home from the evil that has encroached upon it once more.
home to Derry, Maine, as their worst fears have returned to haunt them after 27 years of forcing Pennywise’s murder spree back to rest. The entity of shapeshifting fear and evil is most known to transform into a clown to wreak havoc and kill children within the small town. Unless those same seven outcasts do something about it as adults, Pennywise’s reign over Derry will continue to plague generation after generation. The Stephen King-based book-to-film adaptation will be released on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019.
‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ Some people may be familiar with the popular series of horror tales for children’s books by the name of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” written by Alvin Schwartz. But on Aug. 9, the movie adaptation brought every fan’s imagination of monsters they read about at a young age coming to life before their eyes. Twisting together specific tales from the books with a mystery and thriller movie plot, fans are able to follow the unfortunate mishappenings surrounding a group of teenagers who each have to face their own fears as the stories come alive to snatch them from the real world into eternal darkness. Here are some other films that future moviegoers can look forward to seeing in the theaters during the upcoming months that continue carrying a spooky theme throughout the end of the year:
‘IT Chapter Two’ The outcast group of children come back
‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ The post-apocalyptic world of humans and zombies strikes again, 10 years after the original release of “Zombieland” in October of 2009. There are four surviving humans left after a virus infects the entire population and turns them into zombies. After finding a safe haven, this dysfunctional family will need to figure out a way to kill evolved zombies, encounter other surviving humans and try not to kill each other for everyone’s quirky personalities and faults. The new release of the movie series will star the original actors (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin), director and writers, with a new setting surrounding the White House on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.
ONLINE: for more on this story, visit our website: fresnostate.edu/collegian
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU
Setting boundaries is not selfish, it is selfless
A day late and a book short By Rachel Lewis
By Anjanae Frietas
Reporter
Reporter
When I learned the meaning of setting boundaries, life opened for me in a whole new way. Growing up, I lacked the ability to be able to practice self-care and say the word, “NO.” At 18 years old, I made the decision to put myself back into therapy. After a few sessions had gone by, my therapist asked me, “Why do you feel an obligation to be the rescuer in your friends’ and family’s lives?” It was a question I had never been asked – something I never even realized I did until she pointed it out to me. Often when playing the role of being the rescuer in everyone’s life, I got so caught up trying to fix someone else that I lost my own identity in the process. I remember being someone that never allowed myself to decline invitations because I was afraid of hurting other people. I was someone who would be there for my friends no matter the situation or where my current state of mind was. I wanted to say, “No.” I didn’t know how. Being the friend who never says no, even when they want to, can begin to become more damaging than you think. Over time and through the practice of self-care, I learned that if you do not practice setting boundaries with people in your life, there is a high chance you have been or will be taken advantage of. If you are someone like me who fears losing people if you say no to an invitation, let me reassure you that it is OK to feel this way. Validate your feelings. Allow yourself to feel them. But when you solve for a feeling, you must learn to solve for the problem in the process. If you are too tired to go hang out after work, it is OK to go
The Collegian is a studentrun publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.
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Jeff Durham's illustration of a couple splitting up so they can stay together. (Bay Area News Group/MCT) home and watch Netflix in bed and do nothing. If your friend is calling you with boy drama and you are in the middle of doing your homework, it is OK to say, “No.” Saying no does not make you a bad person or seem like you are not sympathetic. It can be something as simple as: “Hey, I am really sorry to hear that is going on right now, but I’m actually in the middle of my homework. Can I call you tomorrow?” That simple. Not dismissing the problem, but handling it when you feel you are mentally in a space to talk. That, in my personal experience, is how you set boundaries. Sometimes when we assert our boundaries, we may not get the reaction we are intending. However, that in itself is the valuable lesson. People who care about you will be willing to accept your boundaries, or at least try to under-
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stand them. Growing up, I was repeatedly told, “Family always comes first, and you do anything for family.” However, when you come from a toxic family, sometimes a rule like that does not apply. If you have an emotionally abusive parent, let me reassure you, you do not have to deal with their toxic situations if you do not not want to. The reality is no problem or situation from the people you love is in your control. You are not in control of anyone's emotions nor their actions. Being the rescuer in someone’s life is avoiding the need to fix your own. Do not fix someone else's life, fix your own. Take care of yourself with no remorse because the relationship you have with yourself, is the most important one.
Seth Casey Anthony De Leon Marilyn Castaneda Christina Tran Jorge Rodriguez Samantha Domingo Larry Valenzuela Anjanae Freitas Hector Mendoza Rachel Lewis Jennifer Reyes
General Sales Manager General Sales Manager Special Projects Manager Special Projects Manager Special Projects Manager Art Director Distributor General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Department Chair
Back to school features the usual concerns about parking issues, compounded class schedules and technical difficulties surrounding sites like Canvas. Despite the stress and aggravation that comes from these issues, one problem overshadows them all: the purchasing of textbooks and required readings. Professors, who largely wait until the first day of class to upload their syllabus and course reading requirements, expect students to purchase or rent their books by the next class period. Although this may not be an issue for some, I find it a total inconvenience. I do not buy most of my books from the Kennel Bookstore because I can usually order the readings online for a lower price. By ordering my books, however, I do not have access to the text until it arrives in the mail, which can take up to a week to arrive. I am then forced to buy the book from the Kennel Bookstore anyway in order to stay on top of the assigned reading. I know there is a library, but as someone who needs to mark up the text and add my own thoughts to the pieces I am reading, books at the library do not cut it. I, therefore, strongly suggest that professors should be required to post their syllabus to Canvas a week before classes start or they upload the readings required for the next class time to Canvas for easy and convenient access. For those professors who strategically wait to assign textbook assignments until the second or third week of school, I applaud your understanding of students’ financial restraints and desire to ensure students can procure their resources in a manner and time frame that best suits their needs.
Jovanni Cardenas Joy Lyle Daisy Dellinger Alessandra Mazman Jacob Mulick Jeff Vinogradoff Zachary Perkins Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Timothy Drachlis Betsy Hays
The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian. The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.
Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2018 The Collegian. Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
PAGE 7
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS
Bulldogs lose opener against Trojans By Jorge Rodriguez Sports Editor
Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian
(From left to right) Fresno State soccer players Mariona Segales, Melissa Ellis and Emma Chivers running the ball down the field against University of the Pacific on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019.
Soccer kicks off By Hector Mendoza Reporter
As a new season commences for Fresno State women’s soccer, a tie against the University of Oregon and a win against University of the Pacific has the team off to an undefeated start. The ‘Dogs finished last season with an overall record of 6-10-4 and a conference record of 5-3-3, making the Mountain West (MW) tournament, where they lost 2-1 against San Jose State University. At the start of the 2018 season, the Bulldogs played against the University of Montana and got their first win of the season. However, Fresno State would go on to lose the next game against Drake University and tie the home opener against Sacramento State University. After facing Sacramento State, the Bulldogs would go on to lose seven out of their next eight games and wouldn’t get another win until their game against San Diego State University. The Bulldogs’ regular season ended better than how it started. The ‘Dogs’ final eight games saw them win five, tie two and only lose one. In the postseason, the Bulldogs went up against San Jose State, a team that previously had tied with them 1-1. This time, it would be different, however. Fresno State would lose 2-1, bringing an end to a tough season. The ‘Dogs ranked within the top half of the conference in points, goals, goals per game, assists, assists per game, saves and corner kicks. Also, forward Ele Avery was named to the AllMW second team.
Coming into the 2019 season, the Bulldogs hope to build on the experience they have gathered the previous season. Fresno State brought back All-MW second team selection Avery, leading scorer Emma Chivers and 14 others. The team also added 11 new players to the roster. To start the season, the ‘Dogs played two exhibition matches against Cal Poly and Sacramento State. The Bulldogs won both games, 2-0 and 2-1, respectively. The Bulldogs’ home opener saw them go against the Ducks, who held a record of 2-0 against Fresno State, historically. The last time these two teams met, Oregon beat Fresno State 1-0 in 2015. The ‘Dogs were able to hold their own against Oregon and were able to tie the game in double overtime, denying the Ducks from leaving Fresno with the win. Fresno State defeated University of the Pacific 4-2 in the second game of the season, giving the Bulldogs their first win of the regular season at home and keeping them undefeated. Last season, the Bulldogs had a tough start to their season. Many of their games they lost only by a one-goal margin, which meant they battled in the game but just couldn't come out with the victory. Eventually, the team came together in the second half of the season, playing better soccer and coming out with wins. After the Oregon game, head coach Brian Zwaschka commented that the team had a desire to learn from its previous season and is looking forward to playing better than last year. “We are just going to take this one game at a time,” Zwaschka said. “The team is off to a good start, and we have a good spirit to the team.”
The Fresno State football team traveled south to face the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans in the opening game of the 2019 football season. The Trojans took the victory from the Bulldogs 31-23 during a thrilling game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. The Bulldogs started the game slowly, allowing the Trojans to get down the field on an 81-yard drive and score the first touchdown of the game. Fresno State tried to answer the Trojans quickly, moving the ball into USC territory, but a turn-over by quarterback Jorge Reyna would give the Trojans the ball. The Trojans again got moving quickly and managed to get another touchdown on the scoreboard. Down 14-0, the Bulldogs needed to respond before the game started to get out of hand. The Bulldogs’ offense finally responded with some positive gains by running back Ronnie Rivers and some great decision making by Reyna, giving the ‘Dogs a field goal and making the score 14-3. In the start of the second quarter, the Trojans added to their lead, but this time only three points, thanks to the Bulldogs' defensive ability to put pressure on the Trojan quarterback, slowing their attack. After the Bulldogs' defense stopped the Trojans inside their own 10-yard-line, the ‘Dogs’ offense was able to take advantage of the short field, scoring the first touchdown of the night for Fresno State and cutting USC’s lead to only seven points. The touchdown came thanks to a 34-yard pass from Reyna to wide receiver Derrion Grim, who held on to the ball even though a Trojan defender was on top of him. Just before the end of the first half the Trojans starting quarterback, JT Daniels, went down with a leg injury, forcing USC to use backup freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis for the remainder of the game. The first half ended with the score at 17-10. With the Bulldogs playing a better second quarter and making the game more competitive, expectations were high for the second half. In the third quarter, the Bulldogs scored the first points of the half with a field goal by kicker
By the numbers
88 yds 'Dogs QB Jorge Reyna rushed for 88 yards on 20 carries Cesar Silva from the Trojans' 46-yard-line. However, the Trojans answered right away when the ensuing kick was returned for 100 yards by the Trojan returner Velus Jones. The Trojans continued their dominance in the third quarter, adding one more touchdown just before the end of the quarter. With a score of 31-13, the Bulldogs faced an uphill battle in the fourth. Fresno State cut USC’s lead with a field goal just within the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, making the score 31-16. After a Bulldog defensive stand which saw the Trojans go 0-3 in their first drive of the quarter, the ‘Dogs’ offense came alive with another touchdown. The score came thanks to a 69-yard drive that the Bulldogs capped with an 8-yard pass from Reyna to wide receiver Chris Coleman, making the score 31-23. With just over two minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs regained possession of the ball at their own 49-yard-line. After three consecutive incomplete passes, the ‘Dogs converted on fourth down, thanks to Coleman, who again grabbed Reyna’s 36-yard pass to the Trojans' 15-yard-line. However, Reyna’s next pass would be intercepted in the endzone, giving the Trojans the ball back with less than two minutes left. USC ran out the clock, ending the game and giving the Bulldogs their first loss of the season and the first opening game loss in three seasons. “I am proud of the team for the way that they competed and fought until the very end. But at the end of the day, it is all about winning the game, and we didn't get that done,” head coach Jeff Tedford said in an interview with Fresno State Athletics. “We will go back, look at this and learn from it. We look to improve off of it.”
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
EDITORIAL
8
The Fresno State football season opener will
son. But it was fun while it lasted. Will the Bulldogs be able to come within striking distance of a New Year’s Six bowl game? Highly unlikely.
spite the situation he was thrust into. In defeat, there were many fans on numerous social media sites calling for the head of Reyna following the USC matchup, most likely due to initial anger.
any better, and I believe very few first-year starters in all of college football would have been successful in Reyna’s shoes. The Bulldogs falling short against USC stung a bit more as their MW contemporaries Boise State, Wyoming, Hawaii and Nevada added a W in the win column, following strong showings against Power Five (P5) conference opponent -- Florida State, Missouri, Arizona and Purdue. But the ‘Dogs will have another opportunity at taking down a P5 conference opponent in the form of the University of Minnesota, a Big Ten team reeling from lackluster showing after narrowly defeating Division II opponent South Dakota State, 28-21. The Bulldogs will be facing the Golden Gophers, finishing up a home/home series between the two teams and following last season’s meeting that ended due to a goal line interception late in a 21-14 loss on the road. Hopefully, this team can put the USC game behind it and fight through the growing pains, as the Bulldogs find themselves in the rare situation of a P5 opponent willing to travel to the Central Valley and face Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium. With Saturday’s home opener quickly approaching, there are two questions that will be answered against Minnesota. The first is whether or not the growing pains and jitters will be behind this Fresno State team and it can bounce back. And secondly, whether or not the fan support has faded following the USC loss. For the past few years, the university has found it difficult to find an influx of fans willing to attend any Fresno State games, despite the sport or the success the teams are having, and has found it near impossible to fill Bulldog Stadium. In early June, Fresno State Athletics announced the Pride of the Valley campaign in
be looked back upon as another missed opportunity on a national stage, and if the Bulldogs still manage to reach the unreasonably high expectations bestowed on them before the season, the scrutiny for the loss by the fans will be multiplied tenfold. To the behest of many, the Bulldogs were not to go into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and handily beat a downtrodden University of Southern California (USC) Trojan team on a national stage, prevailing while all eyes watched on ESPN in primetime and proving that Fresno State is the premiere college football team in California. After the initial disappointment of the outcome, once again the Red Wave will have to come down to Earth and conceptualize a more reasonable outcome to the 2019 football sea-
Can this team still finish the regular season 11-1 and ranked in the Top 25? Unlikely, but still very doable. Is there a chance the Bulldogs can still win the Mountain West (MW)? Much more likely. Even with the turnover of many of the starters from last season, players switching positions and switching back due to injuries plaguing the team, ultimately following the first quarter, both the defense and offense seemed to be getting acclimated. There were bright spots on the defense from linebacking duo Justin Rice and Mykal Walker, who were able to make crucial plays to keep the Bulldogs in the game. And on offense, first-year starter Jorge Reyna finished off with a commendable effort, de-
But many fail to realize just how much pressure it is to make your first career start at the historic LA Coliseum in front of 80,000 fans on national TV. The fact that the Bulldogs were able to cut an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter down to eight, within striking distance of scoring the game-tying touchdown in the waning minutes following a fourth and long heave, was a miracle in its own right. The Bulldogs are currently rostering five quarterbacks, with two true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen, and Reyna being the only one with in-game experience at the Division I level. Despite the talent level at the quarterback position, it is reasonable to say that neither of the backups would have handled the situation
an effort to attract those who live in the Central Valley to support the university’s athletics, seeming to have gained traction throughout the summer with its sign giveaways and stylish hype videos showcasing the different sports and areas within Fresno. Saturday will be the first test to see if the effort was all for naught. With Fresno State coming off the successes of the past two seasons and facing a team it will be chomping at the bit to avenge a loss against, there should be a good number of fans in attendance. A lot of fans that traveled to LA to cheer on the ‘Dogs. There were also a lot of fans who were disappointed, with the outcome weighing on their brains during the drive back. With that being said, there’s no telling how many have already jumped off the bandwagon.
Courtesy Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State quarterback Jorge Reyna drops back for a pass during the team's season opener against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019.
Wednesday Warmup: Were the expectations unreasonable? By Anthony De Leon Managing Editor