Bulldogs falter at No. 23 UNLV

LAS VEGAS – Allowing its most points since 2015, Fresno State lost its first Mountain West game of the season 59-14 at No. 23 UNLV on Saturday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium. It was the Bulldogs' first loss in the series since 2017.

HOW IT HAPPENED

On its second play of the game, Fresno State attempted a deep pass by Joshua Wood that was picked off by UNLV's Cameron Oliver at the 5-yard line. The Bulldogs' defense forced a three-and-out following the turnover, stalling the Rebels' offense on its first drive.

UNLV scored the first points of the game. After pinning the Bulldogs at their own 3-yard line on their third drive, the Rebels started their possession in Fresno State territory after the 'Dogs were forced to punt from their own end zone. UNLV went 29 yards in three plays, ending with a 6-yard touchdown run from Hajj-Malik Williams.

Forced to punt on its third straight possession, UNLV's Rashod Tanner blocked the ball off Clay Lawrence's foot and Ricky White III returned it into the end zone to give the Rebels a 14-0 lead with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Fresno State carried momentum into the second quarter, but was stopped at the UNLV 40-yard line, and forced to punt. The Bulldog defense came up with a fourth-down stop at the 1-yard line, and the offense took over but an interception by Mikey Keene at midfield dashed the hopes of a run. Seven plays later, UNLV scored from 12 yards out to extend its lead to 21-0 with 1:57 remaining in the half.

Keene hit Raylen Sharpe for a 28-yard completion but three plays later, the Rebels picked off Keene again at the UNLV 1-yard line. Fresno State trailed 21-0 at the half.

UNLV wasted no time in the second half, scoring on the opening drive with just five plays to extend its lead to 28-0. The Rebels tacked on a field goal from 45 yards out to extend the lead to 31.

The Bulldogs were finally able to get on the board with a 6-yard touchdown run by Malik Sherrod with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the third. Fresno State used 10 plays to move downfield. The 'Dogs trailed 31-7 heading into the fourth.

First play of the fourth, and the Rebels added another score off a 15-yard pass from Williams to White III. Fresno State was unable to move the ball on its next drive, but the Rebels did so on their next possession using five plays to take a 45-7 lead with 11:04 left on the clock.

Keene connected with four different receivers to move the ball downfield with a drive that was capped by a touchdown pass to Mac Dalena. On the following kickoff, UNLV's Jai'Den Thomas returned the kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs switched up quarterbacks and saw Jayden Mandal come in on the next drive. On his first pass attempt, he was picked off by Jeremiah Vessel and the Rebels took over on the Fresno State 25-yard line. UNLV again cashed in for points, scoring just six plays later for the final score of the game.

UP NEXT

Following its bye week, Fresno State returns home on Oct. 12 to host Washington State at Valley Children's Stadium. Kickoff time is to be announced soon.