Fresno State fell short in their bid for a repeat Mountain West Conference victory, as Hawai’i edged them out 21-20 on Saturday at Valley Children’s Stadium. The Bulldogs now stand at 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Low-Scoring Start Sets the Tone

The game began low scoring, as Hawai’i struck first on a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brayden Schager to wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, putting the Rainbow Warriors up 7-0 with 7:12 remaining in the first quarter.

Fresno State was advancing downfield when quarterback Mikey Keene fumbled, handing possession to Hawai’i. Luckily, a personal foul on the Rainbow Warriors’ defense gave the Bulldogs another shot.

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On the next play, running back Elijah Gilliam dashed 10 yards for a touchdown, tying the game 7-7 with 1:32 left in the first quarter.

Bulldogs Take the Lead

Linebacker Malachi Langley forced a fumble on a crucial fourth-down attempt by the Rainbow Warriors, giving Fresno State possession at Hawai’i’s 29-yard line with 12:52 remaining in the second quarter.

Quarterback Mikey Keene connected with wide receiver Moss on a 5-yard out pass into the end zone, giving Fresno State the go-ahead score. However, kicker Dylan Lynch’s extra point was blocked, leaving the Bulldogs with a 13-7 lead at 10:21 in the second quarter.

Both teams exchanged a pair of three-and-outs, but Hawai’i had possession as the first half wound down. Quarterback Schager left the game after an injury on a scramble just before halftime, returning at the top of the third quarter.

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Defensive Touchdown Extends Fresno State’s Lead

Fresno State broke the stalemate in the second half when linebacker Phoenix Jackson returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 20-7 with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter.

There were no offensive touchdowns the entire quarter.

Hawai’i Mounts a Comeback

Bulldog cornerback Cam Lockridge, a former Rainbow Warrior, delivered a hit on Pofele Ashlock during a critical fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter, knocking the ball loose. A targeting penalty was called, resulting in Lockridge’s ejection and allowing Hawai’i to retain possession.

The Rainbow Warriors capitalized on the penalty with a touchdown pass from quarterback Schager to wide receiver Nick Cenacle, narrowing the gap to 20-14 with 9:04 left in the fourth quarter.

Hawai’i regained possession and moved closer to the end zone, but Schager’s pass to Cenacle was disrupted by Bulldog defender Jackson, causing a fumble that safety Jayden Davis recovered.

Fresno State’s offense took the field but struggled to run down the clock, thwarted by Hawai’i’s timeouts and a third-down sack.

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Hawai’i had one final opportunity. On fourth down, Schager threw a pass into the end zone, which was broken up by linebacker Tuasivi Nomura and safety Dean Clark. A defensive pass interference call was made, keeping the Rainbow Warriors’ hopes alive.

Schager then connected with Cenacle for a touchdown, sealing the victory for Hawai’i.

Fresno State Coach Reflects on Loss

The Bulldogs were unable to finish strong, with head coach Tim Skipper saying, “You got to finish. We had control and we stalled, and they won. Finishing is key to this thing,”

Despite a solid defensive performance against one of the conference’s top quarterbacks, the Bulldogs struggled offensively, totaling just 176 yards (157 passing, 19 rushing), which is not indicative of championship-caliber football.

Looking ahead, even with what appears to be an easier schedule, the Bulldogs’ recent performance leaves upcoming games uncertain.