FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State dropped a 28-17 contest to Utah State in Fresno on Senior Night. The Bulldogs outscored the Aggies 17-7 in the first half, but were outscored 21-0 in the second half. The Bulldogs move to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in Mountain West play with one regular season game left on the schedule.
Fresno State started E.J. Warner at quarterback on Saturday. Warner completed 23-of-33 pass attempts for 187 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. Warner connected with seven different pass catchers on Saturday.
Defensively, Fresno State was battling through a time of possession mismatch. On the field for 34 minutes, the defense totaled two takeaways, 6.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks. Simeon Harris, Ryan Wilson and Jadon Pearson led the way with seven tackles each. Finn Claypool celebrated Senior Night with 2.5 TFL and a sack.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Utah State won the coin toss and opted to receive the ball to start the game. The Aggies began the opening drive with back-to-back 20+ yard plays, but were held off by the Bulldog defense.
Fresno State took the ball and traveled 20 yards in its first drive over seven plays before punting the ball 44 yards back to the Aggies. The Bulldogs held Utah State to only eight yards and got the ball back at the Fresno State 31-yard line.
The Bulldogs were the first on the board as Rayshon Luke slipped through the middle of the Aggie defense and ran 69 yards into the endzone, recording his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. Senior Dylan Lynch's point after was successful, putting the Bulldogs up by seven.
Utah State evened the score at the end of the quarter with a 24-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left on the clock.
The second quarter opened with a 55-yard touchdown from E.J. Warner to Josiah Freeman that was taken back due to an offensive holding penalty.
Fresno State's defense didn't allow Utah State to gain a single yard on its next drive. Korey Foreman knocked the Aggies back seven yards with a sack that forced Utah State to punt on 4th and 23.
Running backs Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke led the charge for the Bulldogs in the next drive, combining for 32 yards to set Lynch up for a 30-yard field goal that put Fresno State back on top, 10-7.
Fresno State extended its lead once again in the final minute of the half as Warner tossed a 43-yard pass to Jahlil McClain for his first career touchdown, followed by a successful PAT to end the half at 17-7 in favor of the Bulldogs.
After the Bulldogs fell flat on their first possession of the second half, Utah State retaliated to open the third quarter by traveling 91 yards over eight minutes into the endzone, making it a 17-14 game.
On the Aggies' next drive, senior Camryn Bracha forced a fumble at the Utah State 15-yard line, recovered by senior Jadon Pearson at the Utah State 19. However, possession quickly went back to the Aggies after a Warner interception off a tipped ball at the Utah State 3-yard line.
Utah State opened the fourth with another long drive ending in a touchdown after four penalties advanced the Aggies ahead. The PAT was good, and Utah State took a 21-17 lead.
The Bulldog offense had a four-play drive before turning the ball over to the Aggies again. Utah State carried the ball 28 yards, and a 32-yard touchdown pass would seal the Aggies' 28-17 win over Fresno State.
Up Next
Fresno State travels to San Jose State for its final regular season game on Nov. 29, also its final conference game as a member of the Mountain West. The Bulldogs and Spartans will face off for the Valley Trophy in San Jose with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT on FS1.