COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - After its big 39-35 win at Purdue last weekend, Fresno State earns two Mountain West Player of the Week honors as redshirt sophomore quarterback Mikey Keene is the offensive honoree and senior linebacker Levelle Bailey takes it home for the defense.
Both Keene and Bailey played crucial parts in the road victory, sealing Fresno State's first road win over a Big Ten opponent since 2009. Keene and Bailey each earn a conference Player of the Week nod for the first time in their careers.
It is the first time since 2021 that Fresno State won both the offensive and defensive players of the week in the same week, and the sixth time since Fresno State joined the conference.
Keene, in his first start as a Bulldog, threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns while going 31-of-44 on his pass attempts. The transfer from UCF threw for a career-high in passing yards. He became the first Bulldog quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in their debut game since at least 1997. Keene's 70 percent completion percentage against the Boilermakers is the best by a Bulldog in their debut since Marcus McMaryion in 2017.
Keene manufactured the game-winning drive going 6-of-6 with 4:30 left in the game, connecting with Erik Brooks for the touchdown to take the lead with 59 seconds remaining.
Bailey, the senior defensive captain totaled five tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 forced fumble and two pass breakups against Purdue. He had the pass breakup on the Boilermaker's final attempt in the game, forcing a turnover on downs in the final 30 seconds of play.
Bailey was also responsible for a fourth and goal stop in the fourth quarter, keeping Purdue off the board on the drive and maintaining Fresno State's lead.