Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night
STEVEN WEBSITE PHOTO 1
By Steven Sanchez
Published 2 weeks ago on
November 24, 2024

Fresno State becomes bowl eligible behind 150 rushing yards from freshman RB Bryson Donelson in a nail-biting win over Colorado State on Senior Night at Valley Children's Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (GV Wire/Steven Sanchez)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Game-Defining Play: Fresno State linebacker Phoenix Jackson’s interception in the fourth quarter
Key Stat: 162 rushing yards for Bulldogs
Stars of the Game:
Fresno State RB Bryson Donelson, Fresno State DE Korey Foreman
Up Next:
Fresno State at UCLA

The Fresno State football team dashed Colorado State’s hopes for a possible berth in the Mountain West Conference championship by defeating the Rams 28-22 at Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday. The victory on Senior Night makes the Bulldogs bowl eligible for the fourth straight year.

The Bulldogs are 6-5 this season, 4-3 in the MW.

The loss for the 7-4 Rams moves them down a spot into third place as UNLV takes the second seed in the MW title chase.

Bulldogs’ Resilience Pays Off

“We just kept on swinging, kept fighting, and didn’t have excuses for bad situations and things that are happening. We just kept playing,” said coach Tim Skipper. “Bowl eligibility is everything. That’s why we’re in this business. This is why we do what we do in the offseason. It feels good to get six wins.”

Even with the absence of standout cornerback Cam Lockridge, the defense didn’t miss a step in front of a spirited Red Wave crowd.

Fresno State linebacker Phoenix Jackson makes the tackle against Colorado State at Valley Children’s Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (GV Wire/Steven Sanchez)

Colorado State opened the game with a rushing touchdown from running back Justin Marshall to go up 7-0 with 8:28 into the first quarter.

The Bulldogs answered right back with running back Bryson Donelson racing into the end zone to tie it 7-7 with 7:06 on the game clock.

Impressive Ground Game

Donelson and the rushing game had an impressive night. The ground attack has struggled for the majority of the year being ranked No. 125 in the FBS. The true freshman had 13 carries for 150 yards with the offense accumulating 162 rushing yards.

Both teams went three and out to conclude the first quarter.

The second quarter began with the Rams giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. Donelsonā€™s 43-yard run put them into the red zone. Backup quarterback Joshua Wood took it to the pylon to put them ahead 14-7 with 10:54 to go into the second quarter.

After CSU turned the ball over on downs another Donnelson run set them up in scoring distance.

Quarterback Mikey Keene threw an interception to safety Henry Blackburn but a penalty on cornerback Dylan Phelps helped keep the drive alive.

On a fourth and goal Keene jumped over the goal line extending the ball out to get the score. Blackburn knocked it out of his hands in the end zone that was recovered by the Rams’ defense.

Fortunately, the Dogs’ defense bailed out the offense by forcing Colorado State to turn the ball over.

Keene delivered a 28-yard strike to wide receiver Mac Dalena at the corner of the end zone to extend the Bulldogs’ lead 21-7 with 2:18 on the game clock.

The Bulldogs got the ball back and put together a two-minute drill with Keene hitting Jalen Moss for a 15-yard touchdown pass, stretching their lead 28-0 to close out the first half.

Second Half Struggles

The offense went absolutely dormant for the rest of the second half.

Both teams ping-ponged possessions back and forth for most of the third quarter. The only score came from Rams’ quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who rushed for a touchdown to cut their deficit 28-14 with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter.

CSU chewed up most of the time in the fourth quarter. The Rams attempted a critical fourth-and-15 and didn’t execute with 7:45 to go into the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs did nothing with their possession, which allowed CSU to march down the field until linebacker Phoenix Jackson intercepted the ball with 2:41 on the game clock.

The offense didn’t run out the clock. The defense allowed a give-me touchdown, and the successful two-point conversion inched the Rams close to a comeback 28-22 with 17 seconds left.

Finishing games has been an issue for the Bulldogs. They’ve been outscored by opponents in the last quarter 105-47 this year. There was some concern from the fans, but it wasn’t going to be the same storyline that evening.

Bulldogs Get the Victory

The Bulldogs got the onside kick that sealed the victory, and the seniors went out on a high note in the final home game of the season.

“It was great sending off the seniors the right way. Getting another win, our last time playing in Bulldog Stadium, and it being a ‘dub’ is a great feeling,” said Dalena.

The offense got them the points needed to win behind Keene’s standout performance, completing 20-28 passes for 181 yards. It was the defense that decided the outcome of the game to put them into the postseason.

Fresno State defense at the line of scrimmage against Colorado State at Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (GV Wire/Steven Sanchez)

Fans have been scratching their heads about the lack of consistent snaps from defensive end and USC transfer Korey Foreman. He had his best game as a Bulldog tying for most tackles on the defense with six with Devo Brides and had a sack.

It was the Dogs’ last conference matchup. They’ll be at UCLA on Saturday with kickoff at 12:30 p.m.

“We’ll celebrate this win and move on. We’re going to go down there to the Rose Bowl. A great atmosphere. Play against a good UCLA team and we’re going to have to get ready to go play,” said Skipper.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno Charter School Finally Gets a Golden Ticket to Build New Campus

DON'T MISS

Madera DUI Driver Arrested After Hit-and-Run and Crashing in Orchard Near Riverstone

DON'T MISS

Middle East Latest: Lebanon Closes All Land Border Crossings With Syria

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Backed Trump With Over $250 Million, Fueling the Unusual ā€˜RBG PACā€™

DON'T MISS

3 Climbers From the US and Canada Are Believed to Have Died in a Fall on New Zealand’s Highest Peak

DON'T MISS

Who Are the Dems Eying 2028 Presidential Bids? CBS News’ Robert Costa Has Answers

DON'T MISS

Was Brian Thompsonā€™s Killer a Hit Man? Unlikely, Experts Say.

DON'T MISS

Trumpā€™s FBI Pick Has an Enemies List. Biden Should Pardon Everyone on It.

DON'T MISS

US Added a Strong 227,000 Jobs in November in Bounce-Back From October Slowdown

DON'T MISS

IAEA Chief: Iran Is Poised to ‘Quite Dramatically’ Increase Stockpile of Near Weapons-Grade Uranium

UP NEXT

Madera DUI Driver Arrested After Hit-and-Run and Crashing in Orchard Near Riverstone

UP NEXT

Bills Take 7-Game Win Streak to LA to Face Rebuilding Rams

UP NEXT

Jonathan Kuminga Scores Career-High 33 as Warriors Beat Rockets to Snap 5-Game Skid

UP NEXT

Delano Escaped Convicted Murderer Puts Town on Edge

UP NEXT

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Has Surgery on Right Ankle, Should Be Ready for Spring Training

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Throws Out Plan for South Central, Says It Was Too Strict

UP NEXT

How Democrat Adam Gray Won His Race, the Last to Be Called in the US House

UP NEXT

New Coach Matt Entz Promises to Make Bulldog Football ‘Something Special’

UP NEXT

San Francisco Man Escaped a Merced County Prison 8 Years Ago. He’s Back With New Charges.

UP NEXT

She Buys a Ticket to Support a Good Cause, Then Wins the 2024 Granville Home of Hope

Steven Sanchez,
Entertainment/Sports Writer
Steven Sanchez, a resident of Clovis, graduated from Buchanan High School in the class of 2007 and obtained his film degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Steven is a multifaceted artist, working as a filmmaker, writer, photographer, videographer, and published author. He has a profound passion for movies, comic books, and rock ā€˜nā€™ roll. A dedicated football enthusiast, he cheers for the Las Vegas Raiders. In his leisure time, he indulges in reading and collecting vinyl records. Steven is often found attending rock shows in town, a keen enthusiast of live music. He holds a special fondness for his grandma's homemade meals and spending time with his twin sister.

Elon Musk Backed Trump With Over $250 Million, Fueling the Unusual ā€˜RBG PACā€™

1 hour ago

3 Climbers From the US and Canada Are Believed to Have Died in a Fall on New Zealand’s Highest Peak

1 hour ago

Who Are the Dems Eying 2028 Presidential Bids? CBS News’ Robert Costa Has Answers

1 hour ago

Was Brian Thompsonā€™s Killer a Hit Man? Unlikely, Experts Say.

1 hour ago

Trumpā€™s FBI Pick Has an Enemies List. Biden Should Pardon Everyone on It.

1 hour ago

US Added a Strong 227,000 Jobs in November in Bounce-Back From October Slowdown

2 hours ago

IAEA Chief: Iran Is Poised to ‘Quite Dramatically’ Increase Stockpile of Near Weapons-Grade Uranium

2 hours ago

Hunt for the Gunman Who Killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Heads Into Third Day as New Clues Emerge

2 hours ago

Bills Take 7-Game Win Streak to LA to Face Rebuilding Rams

2 hours ago

Jonathan Kuminga Scores Career-High 33 as Warriors Beat Rockets to Snap 5-Game Skid

2 hours ago

Fresno Charter School Finally Gets a Golden Ticket to Build New Campus

In one of the most packed chambers in months, the Fresno City Council held lengthy debates on a major land use plan and a school’s fut...

12 minutes ago

12 minutes ago

Fresno Charter School Finally Gets a Golden Ticket to Build New Campus

A Madera woman was arrested for DUI after crashing into an almond orchard, following a hit-and-run earlier that evening. (CHP)
40 minutes ago

Madera DUI Driver Arrested After Hit-and-Run and Crashing in Orchard Near Riverstone

1 hour ago

Middle East Latest: Lebanon Closes All Land Border Crossings With Syria

Elon Musk, a co-leader of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, center, carries his son X Ɔ A-Xii Musk following a meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 5, 2024. Musk, the worldā€™s richest man, spent over a quarter of a billion dollars in the final months of this yearā€™s election to help Donald J. Trump win the presidency, federal filings revealed on Thursday. (Tom Brenner/The New York Times)
1 hour ago

Elon Musk Backed Trump With Over $250 Million, Fueling the Unusual ā€˜RBG PACā€™

1 hour ago

3 Climbers From the US and Canada Are Believed to Have Died in a Fall on New Zealand’s Highest Peak

1 hour ago

Who Are the Dems Eying 2028 Presidential Bids? CBS News’ Robert Costa Has Answers

1 hour ago

Was Brian Thompsonā€™s Killer a Hit Man? Unlikely, Experts Say.

1 hour ago

Trumpā€™s FBI Pick Has an Enemies List. Biden Should Pardon Everyone on It.

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

Search

Send this to a friend