The momentum swung Fresno State’s way at just the right time.

Taking advantage of four Nevada first-half turnovers, the Bulldogs built a 20-3 lead. They needed every point, holding off a furious Nevada comeback for a 20-17 football win Saturday night at Valley Children’s Stadium in front of 40,005 fans.

“I would rather be lucky than have lost,” Fresno State coach Matt Entz said.

The Bulldogs scored all 20 points in the second quarter, and it could have been more. After forcing a fumble, Fresno State’s offense stalled at the 3-yard line. Dylan Lynch converted a 21-yard field goal.

Fresno State (5-1, 2-0 MWC) won its fifth game in a row. Nevada fell to 1-4, 0-1 MWC.

The Bulldogs have a short week, with a Friday night game at Colorado State.

Bulldogs Hold Off Nevada Second-Half Rally

In the second half, the Wolf Pack mounted a comeback seizing the momentum.

Nevada’s defense, led by linebacker Dylan LaBarbera, forced four three-and-outs in the first four possessions of the second half. The Wolf Pack scored 14 unanswered points to pull within three.

Quarterback E.J. Warner helped the offense finally find its rhythm on the fifth — and ultimately final — drive.

Warner converted on two key third downs, something the Bulldogs struggled with all game.

Fresno State took over with 8:42 remaining but gained just 2 yards on the first two plays, continuing a frustrating trend on third down (2-for-11 at that point). Warner found tight end Richie Anderson III of a 13 yard completion up the middle for a critical first down.

But the Bulldogs soon faced another third-and-long. Warner scrambled for an 11-yard gain to move the chains at the Nevada 48.

The success of the final drive stumped even Entz.

“If I knew exactly, I would probably be a millionaire and I wouldn’t be sitting up here,” Entz said. “We started to press a little bit and our play calling, the personnel on the field — I think just had to take a deep breath and just trust our training, go back to the things that we were good at, and that’s what we did.”

The Wolf Pack burned their remaining two timeouts, but could not stop the running game. Brandon Ramirez closed the game with four straight rushes for 39 yards. Three victory-formation kneel downs by Warner cemented the win.

“Brandon Ramirez, what a great job. He had limited reps during the course of the game, but comes in and gets 40 big time yards for us,” Entz said.

Warner Shakes Off Early INT

On the Bulldogs’ third play of the game, Warner threw his sixth interception of the season. That was his last mistake. He finished 18-for-26 for 190 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Rayshon Luke led the Bulldogs with 83 yards on eight rushes, most on a 68-yard run.

Safety Camryn Bracha made sure Nevada didn’t take advantage of Warner’s turnover. On Nevada’s fourth play, Bracha intercepted a Chubba Purdy pass at the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line, thwarting Nevada early.

“A good football team is when you can win when you’re not playing your best football,” Bracha said.