Fresno State head coach Matt Entz warned that Colorado State was better than its 1-4 record heading into Friday night’s football game in Fort Collins. Digging themselves into a 28-point hole — the largest deficit of the season — the Bulldogs couldn’t compensate for their first-half mistakes.

Colorado State upset Fresno State, 49-21, at Canvas Stadium. The Rams improved to 2-4, 1-1 in the Mountain West Conference. Fresno State fell to 5-2, 2-1 in the MWC. The loss snapped Fresno State’s five-game winning streak.

“This is not indicative of how we practiced. It’s on me. I’ll take the blame for this one. We better regroup and get better this next week,” Entz told the Bulldogs Sports Network after the game.

Down 35-7, the Bulldogs finally found momentum with a late first-half touchdown. Their defense came alive in the second half, giving the offense several chances to come back. Fresno State cut the lead to 14 points, but turned the ball over on downs on consecutive drives. A last gasp with about five minutes remaining led to an interception in the end zone.

Quarterback E.J. Warner faced pressure all game long and was sacked five times, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. The running game also failed to impress, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry.

Fresno State posted better offensive numbers than the Rams, but mistakes and a season-high in penalties and penalty yardage (13 for 117 yards) hampered any chance at a victory. The Bulldogs outgained the Rams, 464-334, and a 28-to-15 edge in first downs.

Warner threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns but completed just 57% of his 49 passes, well below his usual rate of more than 70%.

The Bulldogs entered the game as 6.5-point betting favorites.

First Half Mistakes Lead to Deficit

It didn’t help that five first-half mistakes led to five Colorado State touchdowns.

The cringe-worthy plays:

• The Bulldogs were forced to punt on their first drive after a seven-yard loss on a sack and a hurry-caused incomplete pass. The Rams converted on their opening drive, thanks to a breakaway 73-yard run by running back Justin Marshall. 7-0.
• Warner threw his seventh interception of the year on the Bulldogs’ second drive. Five plays and 53 yards later, the Rams had a 14-0 lead.
• On the third drive, the Rams were not fooled on a fake punt near midfield, stuffing Jake Tarwater short of a first down. The Rams scored again nine plays later. 21-0.
• After the Bulldogs broke the drought, the mistakes continued. Fresno State committed an offside penalty when Michael Jordan Jr. got a head start on a field-goal attempt on 4th-and-4. The Rams took advantage on the gift first down, with a 20-yard Jackson Brousseau to Rocky Beers touchdown pass a player later. 28-7.
• Warner scrambled for a first down on the first play of the ensuing drive, but the Rams forced a fumble. Paul Tangelo had a 36-yard scoop and score. 35-7.

“Everything that we talked about that we can’t do, we’re doing. We can’t miss tackles. We can’t have self-induced penalties and we can’t turn the ball over. So, I need to fix it,” Entz told the Bulldogs Sports Network at halftime.

But the fixes were not enough.

Bulldog Notes

Warner moved past the career 10,000-yard passing mark in the first quarter.

During a fourth-quarter drive, Warner went spectacularly head over heels at the goal line. He was short of the touchdown.

Fresno State has its second of three bye weeks next week. They return Oct. 25 for a pivotal Mountain West game at home against San Diego State.

Left tackle Brayden Walton returned to action after missing the Nevada game with an injury.

The Bulldogs and Rams will continue their rivalry for years to come, with both teams moving to the Pac-12 Conference next season.