Fresno State will kick off the 2025 college football season with a Week 0 showdown in Lawrence, Kansas, as EJ Warner takes the reins at quarterback for the Bulldogs against a Kansas program looking to build on recent improvements. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner is entering Fresno State with a résumé that includes 31 starts across Temple and Rice, where he displayed poise, decision-making, and the ability to push the ball downfield when called upon.
Warner’s career numbers paint a picture of a quarterback who can operate efficiently in a structured, rhythm-based offense. Across Temple and Rice, he amassed 8,814 passing yards and 58 touchdowns with 37 interceptions, all while completing roughly 60 percent of his attempts. Those figures underscore a player who solved high-coverage looks and showed leadership under pressure—even when his teams faced uphill odds. Now, he arrives at Fresno State with a fresh opportunity to carve out his own legacy rather than living in the shadow of his surname.
Fresno State’s offense will look to maximize Warner’s strengths in a system engineered by Offensive Coordinator Josh Davis. Davis helped South Dakota’s offense average nearly 36 points per game last season, and with Warner at the helm, the Bulldogs aim to blend a reliable passing attack with a competent run game to create rhythmic, high-percentage throws. The goal is a balanced operation that keeps defenses honest and reduces the burden on a quarterback in his first year in a new program.
The matchup against Kansas matters beyond Week 0 hooks. Kansas has shown the ability to compete in the Big 12, but questions linger on the back end of its defense. A shaky secondary could provide Warner with opportunities to stretch the field and exploit miscommunications, especially if Fresno State can establish a crisp tempo and protect the football. For Warner, the test is simple: read defenses with precision, avoid unnecessary turnovers, and deliver a handful of big throws that can swing momentum in a young Fresno State offense.
This game also serves as a proving ground for Warner’s broader narrative. He has carried the expectation that comes with being Kurt Warner’s son, but his career at Temple and Rice demonstrated a quarterback who could adapt to different supporting casts and schemes. Fresno State’s program has a history of producing standout passers—David Carr, Derek Carr, and Jake Haener among them—so Warner’s arrival feels like a continuation of a quarterback-friendly lineage. A strong opener on a national stage could set the tone for how he’s viewed inside the Mountain West and beyond.
For Fresno State, the Week 0 test is more than a single game; it’s a chance to validate Warner’s ability to translate prior experiences into immediate impact. If he operates with decisiveness, connects on timely completions, and avoids costly mistakes, the Bulldogs could begin the season with momentum that carries through non-conference play and into conference competition. The storylines aren’t just about one matchup; they’re about a quarterback stepping into a prominent role and a program aiming to capitalize on that momentum.
Summary: EJ Warner arrives in Fresno State with a proven, albeit varied, college track record and a clear opportunity to elevate a Bulldogs offense in a high-stakes Week 0 clash at Kansas. A strong showing could launch him into the national spotlight and serve as a springboard for Fresno State’s aspirations in the Mountain West.
Editor’s note: Look for Warner to leverage a balanced attack that emphasizes timing, read progressions, and efficient ball placement. Kansas’ defensive looks will test his ability to manage pressure and deliver accurate throws under duress. This game could reveal how well Warner’s experience translates to leading a program with a storied quarterback tradition. If he hits early rhythm and avoids negative plays, Fresno State fans have reason for optimism about the upcoming season.