Against all odds, Fresno State hoping for big win against rival San Diego State

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friday is the Fresno State homecoming game against San Diego State. The Bulldogs come into the game trying to snap a four-game losing streak while the Aztecs are the preseason favorite to win the Mountain West. Despite this, the Bulldog spirit is alive and well.

The barbecues are fired up and the smell of tri-tip lingers in the air. A few people have cracked open some beers but the homecoming fun has been going on all week, even in some top administrators offices.

Fresno State employee Esther Gonzalez gave judges of the office decorating contest a whole lot to see before the Bulldog football team hit the gridiron.

She and others went all out for the annual competition, transforming the Vice President of Administrative Services office into an interactive experience just like going to a Bulldog football game.

"First things first, we join the tailgate, have a little food, some games," she said. "We had a couple hot dogs here and a lot of fun, then we go to the Duncan Building. The Duncan Building we had some towels hanging out here duffle bags."

The contest, designed to get staff and administrators pumped up about the homecoming game even had President Castro's office all decked out. The theme this year is Paint the Town Red.

"There was this air of competition and all in good fun, but it was just exciting," chair of staff assembly committee Katie Williamson said. "People were bouncing ideas off of each other and seeing what the others were doing and wanting to amp up what they were doing- so there was definitely a buzz that it created."

On Friday, Esther and her office mates found out the won the contest over 11 other offices that entered.

"This is the little guy we got for winning," she said. "We get to keep him for one year only."

Meanwhile outside Bulldog Stadium, the tables, chairs and games were set up for those early tailgaters. Senior associate athletics director Paul Ladwig doesn't expect Bulldog Stadium to be full but he's hoping for a decent crowd.

"When we get to 41,031, that's a great day," he said. "We still have tickets to sell right now so we're not having a great day right now, but we are having a good day because it's homecoming. Ticket sales are okay, but we still have plenty of good seats available."

The Friday game will be televised. The various entertainment options that night will make competition stiff; there's all of the local high school football games and the Big Fresno Fair. No matter the crowd or current record, students and staff at Fresno State are hoping for a big win against the Aztecs.