(If you map fandom based on Facebook “likes,” Fresno State dwarfs other California schools including U.C. Berkeley, Stanford and San Diego State — though not U.S.C.)

Supporters have had plenty to cheer about in the past as the relatively small program in the Mountain West Conference managed to attract outsize talent.

According to the Bakersfield Californian, Fresno State was the nation’s only college this year with former players chosen as all-stars in three major professional sports: Derek Carr in the N.F.L., Paul George in the N.B.A., and Aaron Judge in Major League Baseball.

Lately, however, the Bulldogs football squad has been slumping. Last year, it won just one game, prompting the coach to be fired and the attendance at home games to thin out.

Even so, it’s a new season, and excitement was in no short supply at the opener last Saturday.

Fresno’s biggest star, Mr. Carr, now an Oakland Raider, was on hand to see his No. 4 jersey retired in a halftime ceremony.

Regarded as one of Fresno State’s greatest quarterbacks, he gave a short speech about having dreamed of the moment as a boy. The crowd broke into thunderous applause.