FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State football team fell 25-17 to Washington State at Valley Children's Stadium on Saturday evening, moving to 3-3 on the season.
The Bulldogs, who were ahead on three separate occasions on the night, had two interceptions and 12 penalties in the loss. Fresno State forced two turnovers itself, but were unable to capitalize on either opportunity.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Washington State scored on the opening possession of the game, using a 13-play, 75-yard drive, ending in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by John Mateer. The Cougars attempted for a 2-point conversion but failed off the interception by RL Miller. Fresno State answered right back with a 77-yard drive of its own. Mikey Keene went 7-of-8 passing, ending the drive with a 34-yard touchdown toss to Josiah Freeman and a 7-6 lead.
WSU responded with another 75-yard drive to take a 13-7 lead just before the end of the first quarter. Despite causing a pair of turnovers in the second, forced fumble by Korey Foreman recovered by Jakari Embry and an interception from Dean Clark in the endzone, the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize as the Cougars took a six-point lead into the half.
Receiving the ball to start the third, the Bulldogs were forced to punt. Mac Dalena pinned the Cougars at the 3-yard line, catching Clay Lawrence's punt. The Bulldog defense forced a three-and-out, then Jalen Moss returned the punt 19 yards to set Fresno State up at the WSU 33-yard line. Five plays later, four of those rushes from Elijah Gilliam resulted in a six-yard score for the senior.
As WSU drove into the red zone, on the ensuing possession, Jacob Holmes sacked Mateer for a 12-yard loss on second-and-goal, pushing the Cougars back to the 20-yard line. The Bulldogs held WSU to a 34-yard field goal.
The Bulldogs answered with a 27-yard field goal from Dylan Lynch with 10:13 remaining in the game.
Fresno State forced a three-and-out and proceeded to move the ball to the WSU 43-yard line. The drive stalled there as Keene threw an interception that Ethan O'Connor returned 60 yards into the end zone. A failed 2-point conversion resulted in a 22-17 lead for the visitors.
The Cougars tacked on a 23-yard field goal with 1:50 on the clock after forcing the Bulldogs' to a three-and-out inside their own five. Fresno State moved down to the Washington State 41-yard line, but saw time expire to dash hopes at a comeback.
UP NEXT
Fresno State travels to Nevada on Friday. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT and will broadcast on CBS Sports Network.