Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Bulldogs Take Care of Business, Prepare for Big One vs. UCLA
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 4 years ago on
September 13, 2021

Share

A disappointing loss behind them, the Fresno State Bulldogs have an opportunity to make a huge statement this Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Playing at home, Fresno State did exactly what it was supposed to do, blasting Cal Poly, 63-10, as senior quarterback Jake Haener threw four touchdown passes.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ narrow 31-24 loss at Oregon the second week of the season took on added significance when the 12th-ranked Ducks stunned No. 3 Ohio State 35-28 on the Buckeyes’ home turf.

Bulldogs Have Three Straight Wins Against UCLA

Now, it’s on to Pasadena for the Bulldogs, who will face 13th-ranked UCLA (2-0) in a non-conference matchup. The Bruins beat Hawaii, 44-10, in their season opener and defeated then-No. 16 LSU, 38-27. UCLA had last Saturday off.

After taking care of Cal Poly to improve to 2-1, the Bulldogs instantly began focusing on the Bruins.

“Next week, I want to challenge the guys to start faster. We need to put the ball in the end zone on the first or second possession. When we give the ball over to the other team, we are just giving them more chances. I want to see us start faster.. … we need to come out and be physical,” Haener said.

And, senior defensive tackle Kevin Atkins said that the Bulldogs continue to embrace the toughness emphasized by former coach Pat Hill.

“We are showing that we are able to compete with anyone. Just like coach Pat Hill says, ‘Any time, any place, anywhere.’ ”

The Mountain West Bulldogs and Pac-12 Bruins have met seven times since 1987. UCLA won the first four, but Fresno State has taken the last three, including a 38-14 victory over Chip Kelly’s Bruins in 2018.

Fresno State tailback Ronnie Rivers (20) is the nation’s active career touchdown leader with 46. (GV Wire/Randy Reed)

Bulldogs Keep Throttle Down vs. Mustangs

Haener was 17-of-22 passing for 380 yards against the Mustangs, and two of his scoring throws were over 50 yards. He added touchdown runs of 2 yards and 1 yard.

Josh Kelly made three receptions for 128 yards with two touchdowns for Fresno State. Zane Pope, Jalen Cropper, and Keric Wheatfall also made TD catches.

Ronnie Rivers, the nation’s active leader in career touchdowns with 46, had a 6-yard touchdown run for Fresno State early in the third quarter.

“It was a great performance by our team all around, defense continues to be stingy, love the way they just play consistently through the course of the game,” said Bulldogs coach Kalen DeBoer.

How to Buy Tickets for UCLA Matchup

Tickets for the UCLA game can be purchased at this link.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

An Anti-War Movement Is Stirring in Israel

DON'T MISS

David Greenwood, Former UCLA Star and NBA Champion, Dies at 68 After Cancer Battle

DON'T MISS

Is the Trump-Musk Spat Really Over? Judging From Wall Street Trading, It’s a Fragile Peace

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Inmate Found Unresponsive in Cell, Autopsy Pending

DON'T MISS

A Look at Boeing’s Recent Troubles After Air India Crash

DON'T MISS

Gavin Newsom Changes His Tune on Running for President

DON'T MISS

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

DON'T MISS

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

DON'T MISS

Fresno Joins Nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ Movement at Multiple Locations

DON'T MISS

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

UP NEXT

David Greenwood, Former UCLA Star and NBA Champion, Dies at 68 After Cancer Battle

UP NEXT

Is the Trump-Musk Spat Really Over? Judging From Wall Street Trading, It’s a Fragile Peace

UP NEXT

Tulare County Inmate Found Unresponsive in Cell, Autopsy Pending

UP NEXT

A Look at Boeing’s Recent Troubles After Air India Crash

UP NEXT

Gavin Newsom Changes His Tune on Running for President

UP NEXT

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

UP NEXT

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

UP NEXT

Fresno Joins Nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ Movement at Multiple Locations

UP NEXT

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

UP NEXT

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Tulare County Inmate Found Unresponsive in Cell, Autopsy Pending

50 minutes ago

A Look at Boeing’s Recent Troubles After Air India Crash

51 minutes ago

Gavin Newsom Changes His Tune on Running for President

52 minutes ago

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

56 minutes ago

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

58 minutes ago

Fresno Joins Nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ Movement at Multiple Locations

59 minutes ago

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

1 hour ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

1 hour ago

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

1 hour ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

1 hour ago

An Anti-War Movement Is Stirring in Israel

I just spent a week in Israel and, while it may not look as if much has changed — the grinding war in the Gaza Strip continues to grind — I ...

19 minutes ago

19 minutes ago

An Anti-War Movement Is Stirring in Israel

35 minutes ago

David Greenwood, Former UCLA Star and NBA Champion, Dies at 68 After Cancer Battle

45 minutes ago

Is the Trump-Musk Spat Really Over? Judging From Wall Street Trading, It’s a Fragile Peace

Tulare County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating a shooting in Strathmore that left a man wounded late night on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Tulare County SO)
50 minutes ago

Tulare County Inmate Found Unresponsive in Cell, Autopsy Pending

51 minutes ago

A Look at Boeing’s Recent Troubles After Air India Crash

52 minutes ago

Gavin Newsom Changes His Tune on Running for President

56 minutes ago

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

58 minutes ago

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

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

Search

Send this to a friend