On the fifth trip to the red zone, Fresno State finally found the end zone.

After settling for three field goals on its first four red-zone trips, quarterback E.J. Warner connected with tight end Richie Anderson on a two-yard touchdown pass with 6:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Complemented by a stellar defensive performance, Fresno State defeated Miami (Ohio) 18-3 to win the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl on Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.

Warner — dubbed “Little Kurt Warner” by Snoop Dogg — started the game, the final contest of his college career. He showed his usual efficiency, completing 70% of his passes for 214 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His stat line and leadership earned him the game’s Most Valuable Player award.

“We had a lot of ups and downs this year, but we persevered. We got out with nine wins, so just happy for all these guys, happy I was to be a part of it this year,” Warner said during the postgame ceremony.

The Bulldogs improved to 9-4 in head coach Matt Entz’s first season. Miami fell to 7-7.

Wide receiver Josiah Freeman saved his best for last, recording the Bulldogs’ first 100-yard receiving game of the season. He finished with 143 yards, including 109 after the catch.

Again, the Bulldogs played running back by committee. Eight rushers gained 177 yards, led by Brandon Ramirez with 53 yards on 11 carries.

The defense held the RedHawks to 192 total yards and limited quarterback Thomas Gotkowski to 6-for-22 passing for 72 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

six for the DOGGS

📺@TheCW_Sports pic.twitter.com/DJTMtT7S0L

— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 28, 2025

First Half Defensive Struggle

The first half featured a defensive struggle, with Fresno State and Miami trading stops. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers — their 25th and 26th of the season — and benefited from a fortuitous special teams play.

The offense struggled early, but the defense repeatedly picked up the Bulldogs. A sack stalled Miami’s opening drive and held the RedHawks to a field goal, despite a 32-yard run by Keith Reynolds. On Miami’s second drive, Jakari Embry intercepted a pass after Finn Claypool hit Gotkowski.

Fresno State finally got on the board with a 28-yard Dylan Lynch field goal, tying the game at 3-3. The points capped a 15-play, 82-yard drive.

Special teams then pushed Miami into disaster. A punt sailed over the head of Pierse Stainton and rolled into the end zone. Instead of taking a safety, Stainton attempted a kick, which was blocked by Ethan Tierney and recovered by Johnathan Arceneaux at the 10-yard line. Lynch converted a 23-yard field goal to give Fresno State a 6-3 lead.

The defense forced another turnover late in the half, stripping running back Jordan Brunson at the Bulldogs’ 22-yard line with 1:09 remaining. Six plays later, Lynch kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 9-3 halftime lead. Lynch’s three short field goals underscored Fresno State’s red-zone struggles, as the Bulldogs failed to convert touchdowns on three first-half opportunities.

All Snoop, All the Time

Snoop Dogg was everywhere during the Arizona Bowl. He offered sideline analysis, joined the broadcast booth, caught a kickoff that sailed into the end zone, recorded a special track for the game, celebrated with the tailgate crowd, did the opening coin flip, and appeared throughout bumpers and commercial breaks.

Mr. Broadus even delivered pregame pep talks to both teams.

“Who came to get busy? Where are my dogs at? Y’all represent California,” Snoop told the Bulldogs, as shown on The CW broadcast. “Stay connected, from the hip to the tip. It’s not about the chip, it’s about the relationship.”

He also encouraged players to “get that NIL money” and advised them to invest wisely.

A pre-game pep talk from @SnoopDogg >>> pic.twitter.com/fFNbBjkjTC

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) December 27, 2025

Bulldog Bites

Warner was taken to the trainer’s tent late in the fourth quarter for undisclosed treatment. Backup Carson Conklin handled the final drive. Warner appeared OK during the postgame trophy ceremony.

Entz had money on the line. The win earned him an additional $45,000 — $20,000 for a ninth victory and $25,000 for a bowl win.

The Bulldogs open the 2026 season Sept. 5 at USC as Fresno State begins play in the Pac-12 Conference. With eight teams, the league has not announced whether it will play a seven-game schedule — leaving each team one nonconference slot — or adopt a home-and-home format.

The 2026 quarterback competition is already taking shape, with returner Conklin and incoming freshman Deagan Rose of Clovis High School emerging as early favorites.

On Tuesday, The Bulldog Foundation announced it achieved its fundraising goal by matching a $1 million donation from supporter Jami Hamel De La Cerda. The foundation also received an additional $1 million gift from an anonymous donor.

“This milestone reflects the passion of the Red Wave community and the belief in what our student-athletes can achieve as we prepare to compete at the Pac-12 level,” Athletics Director Garrett Klassy said in a news release.

The Fresno State marching band performed jointly with Miami’s band during pregame and halftime. The halftime show featured selections from Snoop Dogg’s catalog, with the artist himself conducting.

The CW broadcast missed several plays while returning from commercial breaks. The CW will televise a slate of 2026 Pac-12 football games.

The Arizona Bowl competed on TV with much of the Pop-Tarts Bowl (Georgia Tech vs. BYU) on ABC (ABC30 in Fresno), the second half of the Fenway Bowl (UConn vs. Army) on ESPN, and the start of the New Mexico Bowl (North Texas vs. San Diego State) on ESPN. The NFL also featured a Houston at Los Angeles Chargers game.