Fresno State’s fourth-quarter comeback came up short in a 38-31 loss to No. 23 Boise State on Saturday night at Valley Children’s Stadium. The Bulldogs surrendered the Milk Can trophy to the Broncos for the first time since 2021.

The Bulldogs (4-2, 1-1 Pac-12) finished with 346 yards of offense and did not commit a turnover in the Pac-12 football game, but Boise State controlled possession for nearly 39 minutes and totaled 512 yards in ending a three-game losing streak to Fresno State.

Quarterback Jayden Mandal accounted for three Fresno State touchdowns, completing 19-of-33 passes for 218 yards and two scores while adding an eight-yard touchdown run. Back-up QB Khristian Martin completed a 59-yard touchdown pass on his only completion of the night.

However, the Bulldogs had no defensive answers for Broncos QB Maddux Madsen, who finished with 238 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Meanwhile, the Broncos’ star running back tandem of Dylan Riley (150 rushing yards, 64 receiving yards, two combined TDs) and Sire Gaines (120 yards rushing, one TD) ripped through the Fresno State defense.

The Broncos (5-1, 2-0 Pac-12) have won their road conference opener in 12 consecutive seasons, and started 2-0 in league play for the fifth straight year.

“If you would have told me at the beginning of the day we scored 31 points and got beat, I would have thought you were joking. If you would have told me we gave up 38 points, I would have thought you were crazy. We gotta be better,” said Bulldogs coach Matt Entz.

How It Happened

Fresno State opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Mandal completed four passes for 57 yards before scoring on an eight-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.

Boise State answered 48 seconds later when Dylan Riley broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run on the second play of the drive. Zeke Martinez converted the two-point attempt to put the Broncos ahead 8-7.

The Broncos extended their lead to 15-7 on Maddux Madsen’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Terrious Favors. Fresno State responded quickly, using just two plays to cover 74 yards. Martin connected with Ezekiel Avit for a 59-yard touchdown with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter, cutting the deficit to 15-13.

Boise State put together an 18-play, 75-yard drive that lasted more than eight minutes and ended with Sire Gaines’ two-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter.

The Bulldogs pulled back within two late in the half. Mandal completed five passes on a nine-play, 59-yard drive, finding Avit for a 10-yard touchdown with 56 seconds remaining.

Broncos Led 25-20 at Halftime

Boise State added a 49-yard field goal just before halftime to take a 25-20 lead into the break.

The Broncos opened the second half with a drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock and resulted in a 38-yard field goal. Boise State then extended its lead to 35-20 on the opening play of the fourth quarter when Madsen connected with Riley for a 44-yard touchdown.

Fresno State answered with an 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive. The Bulldogs converted three third downs on the possession, including Mandal’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Correia on third-and-15. Mandal then connected with Jahlil McClain on the two-point conversion to pull Fresno State within 35-28 with 9:14 remaining.

Broncos’ Field Goal Seals It

Boise State responded with a 14-play drive that took 7:40 off the clock. Canaan Moore’s 39-yard field goal extended the Broncos’ lead to 38-28 with 1:34 left.

The Bulldogs moved 46 yards in 58 seconds on their final possession.Manaki Watanabe converted a 47-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining, but Boise State recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Up Next
Fresno State travels to San Diego State next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.

(GV Wire contributed to this article.)