E.J. Warner finally is on the scoreboard through the air for Fresno State.

And that’s a good sign as the Bulldogs open the Mountain West portion of their football schedule next Saturday at Hawai’i with a 3-1 record.

Warner, the Bulldogs senior transfer quarterback, entered Saturday’s game against Southern University with 58 career passing touchdowns over three seasons at Temple at Rice.

However, Warner’s stat line for TD passes was a goose egg, along with five interceptions, until he dissected the FCS Jaguars (1-3) with precision passing in directing the Bulldogs to a first-half offensive explosion and a 56-7 victory at Valley Children’s Stadium.

Warner finished 20 of 24 for 240 yards and four TDs — with no picks —in less than three quarters of work, as coach Matt Entz brought in Carson Conklin with the Bulldogs leading 35-7.

“Coming from a football family, I got to believe E.J. probably doesn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the media. It’s probably something that’s been passed on from his dad (Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner),” Entz said. “The only people to worry about are the people in the locker room with you.”

Warner threw his first touchdown pass on the opening drive to freshman Harold Duvall out of Clovis East High School. That capped a six-play, 65-yard all-downhill drive to the endzone of all positive momentum.

Running back Bryson Donelson had the play of the night — a 57-yard TD run on the left side of the line in the second quarter. Donelson blasted pass nickelback Elijah West, and benefited from a downfield block by Ezekiel Avit.

“We got about as big as we could on the field. We felt like there’s a soft edge over there and our guys blocked it up really well,” Entz said of the play.

Conklin also proved effectively commanded the offense, leading the Bulldogs to scoring drives capped by touchdown runs from Rayshon Luke, Jonathan Arceneaux, and Elijah Gilliam.

Luke also caught a touchdown pass. “Being ready in both running and getting ready to catch the balls, it’s like a big thing for me. We always practice that. So it’s second nature.”

“I’m glad he plays for us,” Entz said of Luke.

In all 10 different Bulldogs caught passes from Warner and Conklin.

“That’s exciting. It makes us hard to defend when you have multiple people that can line up in multiple spots and make some catches,” Entz said.

Defense Fulfills Its Pre-Game Goals

The Bulldogs entered hoping to shore up a defense that surrendered 528 yards in last week’s victory at Oregon State.

The “D” fulfilled its goals, smothering the Jaguars ground game, blanketing receivers, and pressuring the quarterback.

In fact, the Bulldogs contained mobile quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy so well that he was replaced by a better pass, Ashton Strother, in an attempt to come back from the big early deficit. The Jaguars finally moved the ball and scored on a second-quarter nine-play, 75-yard drive with Strother at the helm.

Deijon Laffitte, a sophomore 302-pounder, dominated the Jaguars offensive line and registered a sack and 1.5 tackles for losses. Korey Foreman also made his presence known, finishing with 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for losses.

Foreman demonstratively celebrated his successes on the field.

“There was just a whole bunch of emotion involved in those plays, because we all work hard. We all do the best we can and just show up each and every day,” Foreman said.

The Band Delights

Even the Fresno State band enjoyed the visiting Human Jukebox of Southern. While playing from the stands pregame, the Fresno State band percussion unit danced around in end zone to “Party in the U.S.A.,” by Miley Cyrus.

The Human Jukebox even got a intro from Bulldogs radio host CK for a first quarter performance during a break, to the cheer of the Red Wave. The home crowd was equally happy to hear the Fresno State Marching Band.

At halftime, the SU band played songs from the Earth, Wind & Fire catalogue.

Bulldog Bites

Cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton was flagged for a a late hit on QB Cam’Ron McCoy. However, a potential targeting penalty was reversed. Linebacker K’vion Thunderbird was supposed to miss the first half because of a targeting disqualification last week at Oregon State, but that extra sanction was rescinded.

Defensive lineman Merhauti Xepera was credited with a blocked field goal in the second quarter.

Wide receiver Josiah Freeman missed the game with an injury, Entz said, but should be back next week.

Southern earned a $550,000 guarantee — half paid last year, and the remainder this year. As part of the contract signed in 2021, the band and cheerleaders were required to attend. The contract with Georgia Southern was a strict home-and-home with no guarantee, and no band attendance requirement.

A representative of the Cure Bowl (Dec. 17 in Orlando) was on hand, watching the game. 

The flag flew at half staff, a White House directive to honor slain conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

Next week, the Bulldogs travel to Hawai’i for its first Mountain West game of the season, and possible the last game against Hawai’i in a long time. Fresno state moves to the Pac-12, and the Rainbow Warriors stay in the Mountain West.