Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Bulldogs' Gameplan Works to Perfection Until Late 4rth Quarter
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 9 months ago on
August 31, 2024

Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper watches his team warm up during pregame against Michigan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP/Jose Juarez)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper revealed his gameplan after Michigan’s 30-10 football victory over the Bulldogs.

Slow down the No. 9 ranked and defending national champion Wolverines.

The strategy almost worked. Fresno State held Michigan to just 269 yards. And, the Bulldogs pulled within six points, 16-10, with 10:06 left to play.

But Michigan answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive to build a 13-margin and later extended it to the final 20 points — failing to beat the 21.5-point betting line.

“They have a heart of a champion,” Skipper said of Michigan.

Quarterback Mikey Keene pointed the finger at himself for the Bulldogs’ sputtering offense. Of course, a Michigan defense packed with future NFL players is not an easy nut to crack.

Keene completed 22 of 36 passes for 238 yards and one TD. But he and the Bulldogs were betrayed by two interceptions — one bounced off a receiver’s hands and the other Michigan’s Will Johnson returned for a score.

And, the Bulldogs failed to run the ball with any efficiency. Tailback Malik Sherrod, who wasn’t at full strength, finished with 24 yards on 14 carries. The Bulldogs finished with 244 total yards, with 30 yards lost to the three Michigan sacks of Keene.

Fresno State safety Camryn Bracha was all over the field, finishing with 10 tackles — seven solo and three assisted. 

Senior defensive lineman Ezra Christensen had Fresno State’s lone sack.

In all, the Bulldogs surrendered just 18 first downs.

Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates after sacking Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, bottom, in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates after sacking Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, bottom, in the second half, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines sacked Keene three times for 30 yards in losses. (AP/Jose Juarez)

The Thrill of the Big House

Fresno State was not starstruck by the 110,665 fans in attendance at the nation’s largest college football stadium.

Skipper said they trained for the loud noise, and the new helmet intercom system helped.

Even with the loss, players savored the experience.

“This is something I’m going to remember forever. Obviously, we wanted a different outcome. We take it with a grain of salt. We are blessed to be here,” Keene said. “This is a dream you have when you want to play college football.”

Bulldogs linebacker Tuasivi Nomura, a transfer from USC, called the atmosphere “electric.” It helped pump him up during the game.

He also saw the strips of red-clad Fresno State fans  among Michigan’s Maize and Blue.

“I see that red out there,” Nomura said.

“We love the Red Wave,” Skipper said. “We travel well.”

Fresno State defensive back Cam Lockridge intercepts a pass and runs with the ball against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP/Jose Juarez)
Fresno State defensive back Cam Lockridge intercepts a pass and runs with the ball against Michigan in the first half, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP/Jose Juarez)

 

 

 

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

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

DON'T MISS

Tulare Student Will Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

DON'T MISS

Federal Trade Court Blocks Trump From Imposing Sweeping Tariffs Under Emergency Powers Law

DON'T MISS

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

DON'T MISS

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

DON'T MISS

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

DON'T MISS

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

DON'T MISS

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

DON'T MISS

Tiger’s Son, Charlie Woods, Wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in Claiming 1st AJGA Event

UP NEXT

Tulare Student Will Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

UP NEXT

Federal Trade Court Blocks Trump From Imposing Sweeping Tariffs Under Emergency Powers Law

UP NEXT

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

UP NEXT

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

UP NEXT

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

UP NEXT

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

UP NEXT

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

UP NEXT

Tiger’s Son, Charlie Woods, Wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in Claiming 1st AJGA Event

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: The Human Side of Law Enforcement

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

12 hours ago

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

12 hours ago

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

13 hours ago

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

13 hours ago

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

14 hours ago

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

14 hours ago

Tiger’s Son, Charlie Woods, Wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in Claiming 1st AJGA Event

15 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: The Human Side of Law Enforcement

15 hours ago

CIF Expands Field, Changes Medal Rules for State Track Championships Amid Trump Pushback

15 hours ago

Get Ready for Several Years of Killer Heat, Top Weather Forecasters Warn

16 hours ago

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

WASHINGTON — Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and ov...

11 hours ago

Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)
11 hours ago

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

12 hours ago

Tulare Student Will Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

12 hours ago

Federal Trade Court Blocks Trump From Imposing Sweeping Tariffs Under Emergency Powers Law

12 hours ago

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

12 hours ago

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
13 hours ago

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (not pictured) at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
13 hours ago

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

14 hours ago

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

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

Search

Send this to a friend