Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Allison-Led Defense Shoulders Big Load in Fresno State Win
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
October 8, 2018

Share

Based on how they played against a common opponent — Toledo — Fresno State’s Mountain West Conference football opener against Nevada figured to be a wide-open, high-scoring affair.
But points were at a premium Saturday in Reno as the Bulldogs relied on a stout defense led by junior linebacker Jeff Allison to grind down the Wolfpack 21-3 in the cold and the rain,
The victory improved Fresno State’s overall season record to 4-1.
Allison had a career-high 17 tackles, including 10 solo stops. Two other Bulldogs linebackers also stopped the Wolf Pack in their tracks throughout the game. Senior George Helmuth added 11 tackles and senior James Bailey tacked on 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The secondary intercepted three passes.
For the record, Fresno State defeated Toledo 49-27 and Nevada lost to Toledo 63-44 earlier this season.
As it turned out, playing the comparative scores game was not an accurate barometer of what was to come Saturday — other than a Fresno State victory.
“It is a win and that is always what is important,” said Fresno State Coach Jeff Tedford. “They really did a nice job against our run, we really could not get anything going. We got stuck in a lot of long-yardage situations. We did not play our best offensively and thought our defense played well and kept them out of the end zone.”
The Bulldogs are at home this Saturday against Mountain West rival Wyoming. The Cowboys are 0-2 in conference play and 2-4 overall.

McMaryion, Rivers Lead the Offense

On the offensive side for the Bulldogs, Marcus McMaryion was 20-of-28 passing for 241 yards and Ronnie Rivers scored two touchdowns — one on a 19-yard pass in the second quarter.
Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, also had a touchdown grab and finished with seven receptions for 65 yards.
Fresno State (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West), which came in averaging 45 points and 439.8 total yards per game, was limited to a season-low 271 yards.

Bulldogs Led 7-3 at the Half

Rivers took a screen pass 19 yards for a score with 13:11 left in the second quarter and, after Nevada’s Ramiz Ahmed made a 41-yard field goal, the Bulldogs took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
On fourth down, Rivers scored on a 2-yard run early in the third quarter and Johnson’s 27-yard TD reception capped the scoring midway through the fourth.
Cristian Solano was 22-of-43 passing for 195 yards with three interceptions and added 23 carries for 71 yards for Nevada (3-3, 1-1). Kaleb Fossum had 12 receptions for 97 yards.

San Diego State Stuns Boise State

In becoming the first visiting coach since 2000 to beat Boise State twice on the school’s famed blue turf with a 19-13 upset on Saturday afternoon, San Diego State Coach Rocky Long shrugged off the distinction. He seemed more concerned with trying to keep his young team focused and harnessing all the talent.
“We had 19 freshmen and redshirt freshmen to make the trip,” Long said. “And half of them played. Sometimes they do unusual things — and it’s not always what they’re coached to do.”
In the first half, one of his freshmen muffed a punt that Boise State recovered at the San Diego State 4-yard line to set up a touchdown.
But with the Aztecs clinging to a tenuous 13-7 lead in the fourth quarter, Jordan Byrd, another one of Long’s freshman, ripped off a 72-yard touchdown run to all but seal the victory.

Watch the Jeff Allison Postgame Interview

Watch the Ronnie Rivers Postgame Interview

Watch the Coach Jeff Tedford Postgame Interview


(Associated Press contributed to this report.)

DON'T MISS

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

DON'T MISS

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

DON'T MISS

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

DON'T MISS

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

DON'T MISS

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

DON'T MISS

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

DON'T MISS

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

DON'T MISS

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

DON'T MISS

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

UP NEXT

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

UP NEXT

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

UP NEXT

Why Cranberry Sauce Is America’s Least Favorite Thanksgiving Dish – and 5 Creative Ways to Use It

UP NEXT

Wing ‘Wizard’ Harry Potter to Play for Australia’s Rugby Team. Let the Puns Begin.

UP NEXT

Richardson Close to Cementing Northeast Fresno Council Race

UP NEXT

Visalia Motorcyclist Killed in Collision on Walnut Avenue

UP NEXT

Christine Pelosi Leads Charge to Ensure Every Vote Counts in Tight Duarte-Gray Race

UP NEXT

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

UP NEXT

Man Found Dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park Identified as Bay Area Resident

UP NEXT

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

10 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

12 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

12 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

14 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

14 hours ago

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

1 day ago

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

1 day ago

What to Know About Scott Turner, Trump’s Pick for Housing Secretary

1 day ago

Trump Taps Investor Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary

1 day ago

NATO Head and Trump Meet in Florida for Talks on Global Security

1 day ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

LONG BEACH — Amar Augillard led Fresno State with 25 points and David Douglas Jr. made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 42 seconds left as the Bull...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

9 hours ago

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

10 hours ago

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

10 hours ago

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

12 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

12 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

14 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

14 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend