Jayden Mandal News, Rumors, Updates - Fresno State Bulldogs | FOX Sports

Gets starting nod Mandal has been named Fresno State's starting quarterback for Friday's opener at USC, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Mandal will get the nod under center as the Bulldogs travel to take on USC on Friday. The junior beat out Khristian Martin, who will serve as the team's backup at least to start the season.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

In contention for starting gig Mandal is battling with Khristian Martin for the starting quarterback role for the 2026 season, according to Jackson Moore of 247Sports (via the G5 Hive podcast).

Impact Mandal spent the 2025 season as Fresno State's backup behind E.J. Warner, and he'll get another chance to be the team's QB1 in 2026. He's competing with Khristian Martin, who is a transfer who spent the previous season at Maryland. Mandal didn't play a single game in 2025.

JUNE 16 • ROTOWIRE

Loses out on starting job Mandal will not be Fresno State's starting quarterback at Kansas on Aug. 23, Pete Thamel of ESPN reports.

Impact For 2025, Fresno State's first game will include E.J. Warner at starting quarterback, meaning Mandal has lost out. Instead, he will compete against Carson Conklin to be the Bulldogs' backup QB.

AUGUST 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Part of quarterback competition Mandal is in a three-way competition for the starting quarterback role ahead of the 2025 season, according to Gabriel Camarillo of KMPH.

Impact Mandal, who got the start in the bowl loss against Northern Illinois, is one of the three options that could open the season as Fresno State's starting quarterback. However, he's in an open race alongside E.J. Warner and Joshua Wood. The role under center opened up following the departure of Mikey Keene, who transferred to Michigan. Mandal made three appearances in 2024, completing four of nine passes for 39 yards and two interceptions.

MARCH 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starts but barely plays Mandal completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards and one interception during Monday's 28-20 overtime loss against Northern Illinois.

Impact Mandal barely saw action in the loss to NIU despite being the starter, which falls in line with the third-string role he had all season long. He completed 4-for-9 passes across three appearances in 2024.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE