It was a defensive slog in a cold November rain for Fresno State and Wyoming.

To the delight of the rain-soaked Red Wave, the Bulldogs held Wyoming to 184 yards (77 passing), in a 24-3 football win Saturday night at Valley Children’s Stadium in front of an announced 35,076 fans.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-3, 4-2 Mountain West and remain in the hunt for the conference championship game. Wyoming fell to 4-6, 2-4.

After a mostly defensive contest, two plays in the fourth quarter gave the game to the Bulldogs in a flash. Al’zillion Hamilton intercepted an errant Kaden Anderson pass at the Fresno State 12. He returned it 17 yards, with another 15 yards tacked on for a face mask penalty.

One play later, running back Johnathan Arceneaux broke free on the right side for a 58-yard touchdown run.

Not touchin’ 0⃣@johnathanarcen1 | 📺FS1 pic.twitter.com/o7EM3r9yW6

— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) November 16, 2025

Head coach Matt Entz said it was fun to see Arceneaux to get his moment.

“It was misdirection, popped it outside. We had motion by Rayshon Luke coming through. Everyone  bumped or racked their coverage. We hit it out the back door. And then again, Johnathan showed great speed and the ability to stay in bounds and finish in the end zone,” Entz said.

Arceneaux and Brandon Ramirez played more on first downs than they have in prior games. Entz said he was trying to identify ways to use his deep running back roster, and put leading rusher Rayshon Luke in motion.

Entz called the win a “unique game, especially with Mother Nature trying to be involved early, probably wetter than what I anticipated.”

The Bulldogs practiced during the week with a wet ball, and also in the rain on Friday helping them prepare for Saturday.

Fresno State added to its lead with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Freeman with two minutes remaining.

The weather affected the kicking game. Dylan Lynch scored on a 40-yard field goal in the first half, but missed a 27-yarder in the third quarter. Entz said it was likely they would go for it if not for the Freeman touchdown. He was concerned a block would lead to a touchdown and a one-score game.

“You’re kicking a waterlogged ball. It doesn’t travel as well. It’s kind of dead, it doesn’t jump off the kicker’s foot,” Entz said.

Defense Shines in the Rain

Entz said he never panicked on offense, “Because we knew defensively, we’re going to handle our business and special teams at a good night, especially when you’re dealing with the weather the way it was.”

Linebacker Tytus Khajavi is making the most of new role as a starter. He recorded his first sack, after taking over for the injured K’vion Thunderbird.

Khajavi enjoyed playing in the rain.

“I don’t need gloves. I’m just going to take my fingers. It’s just who I am,. I don’t want the ball slipping. I don’t want to slip off blocks. I just want to play downhill. So of course, this weather was easy to play through,” Khajavi said.

Khajavi recorded his first sack of the year.

Quarterback Carson Conklin threw for 95 yards on 12-for-27 passing, with one touchdowns, but more importantly, no turnovers.

Entz said Conklin continues to grow, and excited about the weekly improvements.

The Bulldogs committed only three penalties for 20 yards. Wyoming committed nine penalties for 93 yards.

A Slow First Half

The Bulldogs ran their way to an opening drive score. Out of 10 plays on the opening touchdown drive, Fresno State ran eight times. Bryson Donelson completed the 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown.

Wyoming answered with a field goal, and then went silent. In seven first-half drives, the Cowboys went three-and-out four times.

It rained most of the day and throughout the first half. It was the first rainy-day game since November 2023. The precipitation turned to mist in the second half.

Bulldog Notes

The Bulldogs wore white helmets with the Bulldog script and Native American feathers.

This was the last Fresno State vs. Wyoming scheduled matchup. Fresno State moves to the Pac-12 Conference next year, with Wyoming remaining in the Mountain West. Fresno State leads the series 10-6.

The first 7,500 fans received a TimeOut bobblehead.