Bulldogs 'Backs against wall' heading into game at Nevada

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Players and coaches will tell you every game is important and they are just focusing week to week. But you have to believe this game against Nevada coming on Saturday for the 'Dogs is especially important after coming off last week's loss at UNLV.

That loss puts them 0-1 in conference play and a 3-game losing streak entering the game. Fresno State trying to get that winning feel back in the locker room.

"There is no magic elixir to this thing," head coach Tim DeRuyter said. "You have to fight. You're way out and you have to continue to work hard."

"We need a win," offensive lineman Aaron Mitchell said. "This team needs a win because that would just kind of bump morale, helps us get going and say okay hey this is where we are at."

Where the Bulldogs are at is similar to their opponent Nevada - 0-1 in conference play and looking to avoid an 0-2 hole in Mountain West play.

"(Nevada's) backs are against the wall, our backs are against the wall," DeRuyter said. "We've been there and had some success against the last couple years when everybody counted the Dogs out two years ago our guys showed up and I expect our guys to show up this coming Saturday."

"I think a win this weekend would be the driving motor," Mitchell said. "Be the force that would be able to push us forward and stack some wins."

Fresno State hasn't "stacked wins" in more than a year-and-a-half. The last time the 'Dogs won consecutive games dates back to late in the 2014 season.

"Well it's going to change, it's going to change," DeRuyter said. "I see the progress our team is making. What we've got to do is get our guys to the point where they are confident making plays, they are confident playing fast. We have some terrific young football players and that have to take that next step and not be just great practice players but go do it on Saturday's."