LAS VEGAS - Fresno State won its fifth-straight game with a 37-30 defeat over UNLV on Friday night. The Bulldogs move to 6-4 (5-1 MW) on the season. With the victory at Allegiant Stadium, Fresno State is bowl eligible for the second-straight season, and the 31st time in program history.
The Bulldogs had 381 yards of total offense with 313 yards through the air. Senior quarterback Jake Haener had his third-straight 300-yard passing game, tossing three touchdowns in the win. The receiving end of a majority of the passing yards tonight was senior wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper. He finished with eight catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
How it happened
UNLV struck first with a field goal on its opening possession, but Fresno State responded with a six-play 48-yard scoring drive with the first touchdown between Haener and Moreno-Cropper on a 33-yard pass to take a 7-3 lead.
UNLV would score back-to-back field goals by Daniel Gutierrez to lead 13-7 but the Bulldogs responded with a quick punch-in by Jordan Mims to take a 14-13 lead with 3:17 left in the half. The Rebels answered with another field goal by Gutierrez, this time from 27 yards out, to take a 16-14 lead into the locker room.
The third quarter sparked the Bulldogs offense as the team scored 10 points while converting two fourth down attempts. The Bulldogs took a 24-19 lead into the final quarter.
A 23-yard field goal by Dylan Lynch would extend the lead to 27-19 in favor of Fresno State, but a 66-yard breakaway touchdown run by UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield on fourth down would tie the game at 27 apiece with 9:24 remaining.
Haener and Moreno-Cropper responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass just three plays into the ensuing Bulldog drive. Fresno State's defense held for a critical fourth down stop that would allow the offense back on the field with possession at the UNLV 33 yard line. Lynch would kick his third field goal of the night from 29 yards out.
UNLV had just under three minutes to drive down the field with a 37-27 Fresno State lead. The Rebels would settle for a field goal from 33 yards out.
Up Next
Fresno State heads to Nevada next Saturday (Nov. 19) to face the Wolf Pack (2-7, 0-5 MW) in another West Division matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.