LOGAN, Utah – Behind career games from Malik Sherrod and Tre Watson, Fresno State outlasted Utah State on Friday night at Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium, defeating the Aggies 37-32.
Sherrod helped the Bulldogs' offense stay balanced rushing for a career-high 129 yards on 23 carries while scoring three touchdowns. Watson added career highs of five receptions, 76 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns came from Logan Fife, who in making his first start in nearly a year, threw for a career-high 291 yards.
Fresno State improves to 6-1 on the season, and 2-1 in Mountain West play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After both teams were held to three-and-outs on their opening possessions, Fresno State got into a rhythm on the third possession of the evening. Starting from their own two-yard line, the Bulldogs strung together a 14-play drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown run up the middle by Malik Sherrod.
The Aggies answered with a 10-play drive, tying the game at 7-7 with a 29-yard pass from Cooper Legas to Jalen Royals with 3:14 on the clock in the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Erik Brooks set the Bulldogs up on the Utah State side of the field with a 12-yard punt return on a 38-yard punt. The Bulldogs worked the ball down inside the 10. On third-and-7, Logan Fife stepped up into the pocket and found Tre Watson wide open over middle in the end zone to go up 14-7 with 2:45 remaining in the half.
Like the first quarter, Utah State answered the Bulldogs' touchdown. With 60 seconds on the clock, Legas linked up with Royals for a 52-yard score to tie the game going into the half.
Beginning the third quarter with the ball, the Aggies took their first lead of the game on a 37-yard field goal from Elliott Nimrod.
Following a big return from Jaelen Gill, it took the Bulldogs just four plays to regain the lead. After back-to-back three-yard runs, Sherrod found a hole up the middle and got to the outside, running 46 yards to the end zone to put the 'Dogs up 21-17.
The defense held the Aggies on the ensuing possession, coming up with a stop on fourth-and-6 at the Fresno State 34-yard line. The Bulldogs took advantage, quickly moving the ball into the red zone. The 'Dogs went trickery to extend their lead to 28-17 with Gill throwing a 19-yard pass to Watson in stride in the back of the end zone.
Utah State cut the lead to 28-25 30 seconds into the fourth quarter on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Legas to Terrell Vaughn. Fresno State took 4:33 off the clock on its next drive, extending its lead to 31-25 with a 26-yard field goal from Dylan Lynch.
The Aggies regained the lead with 4:42 remaining in the game. Following a 38-yard pass to get down to the 24-yard line, Rahsul Faison had a 24-yard run up the middle to give Utah State a 32-31 advantage. The lead was short-lived as the Bulldogs scored in just five plays. With 2:19 left on the clock, Sherrod scored his third touchdown of the night from 11 yards out to put the 'Dogs up 37-32.
Utah State managed to move the ball to the Fresno State 43-yard line with a minute to go but on second-and-9, Morice Norris Jr. sealed the victory with a diving interception.
UP NEXT
Fresno State has its bye week coming up, and returns to the field on Oct. 28 against UNLV for homecoming. Kickoff information is expected to be announced on Monday. Fresno State is waiting to learn kick time and Fox Sports platform designation against UNLV.