During one of Fresno State’s last few attempts to generate any points on Friday night while near USC’s end zone, quarterback Jayden Mandal and running back Julius Gillick collided into each other on a botched handoff.
Three plays later from the USC 8-yard line, Fresno State’s pocket collapsed, Mandal never got rid of the ball and the Bulldogs were put out of their misery with essentially a game-ending sack.
How bad was Fresno State’s 39-0 loss to No. 14 USC to kick off the 2026 season?
The Bulldogs were shut out in a season opener for the first time since the World War II era — when Fresno State lost 20-0 at Minter Field in 1944. Friday’s outing also marked the Bulldogs’ largest margin of defeat in a season opener since 2014 when Fresno State lost 52-13 at the hands of, yes: USC.
Before an announced crowd of 53,014 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Trojans defense outscored the Bulldogs offense 4-0, having recorded two safeties.
Definitely not the start the Bulldogs were looking for in head coach Matt Entz’s second season — in both final result or performance.
It was Fresno State’s first time under Entz that the Bulldogs faced a ranked opponent, a year after going 9-4 overall and capping the run with a win at the Arizona Bowl.
But with a new quarterback at the helm — that’s Mandal, at least for now, after the junior beat out sophomore transfer Khristian Martin during summer camp — and three new starters on the offensive line, the Bulldogs looked every bit like newbies while overwhelmed against a USC squad that could challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Fresno State (0-1) finished with a mere 116 total yards on offense, mustered just nine first downs and committed two turnovers.
Mandal, the former Buchanan High star who missed all of last season due to injury, completed only 7 of 15 passes for 77 yards and one interception. He also held onto the ball too long on multiple possessions, leading to five sacks, including the two safeties.
USC (2-0) amassed 552 total yards as Heisman candidate hopeful Jayden Maiava completed 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs’ lone bright spot might’ve been forcing and recovering two fumbles.
Fresno State linebacker K’vion Thunderbird notched a game-high nine tackles.
The loss extended the Bulldogs’ drought against the Trojans (leads the series 6-1), with Fresno State’s lone win occurring in 1992.
This story was originally published September 4, 2026 at 10:52 PM.
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Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.