FRESNO, Calif. – The Milk Can returned to the Central Valley on Saturday night as Fresno State knocked off Boise State 37-30 in front of a sold out Valley Children's Stadium.
Malik Sherrod racked up 255 all-purpose yards, the 10th-most in a single game in Bulldog history. The junior running back rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, had four receptions for 28 yards and returned a 95-yard kickoff for a touchdown.
Mikey Keene passed for 290 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-38 attempts. Mac Dalena had a team-high six catches for 85 yards.
The defense came away with two takeaways on interceptions from Al'zillion Hamilton and Phoenix Jackson.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened the game with a seven-play, 78-yard drive, finding the end zone in just over two minutes. Mikey Keene gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead, finding Tre Watson for a 25-yard touchdown.
After holding Boise State to a three-and-out, Fresno State extended the lead on the leg of Dylan Lynch as the kicker connected on a 48-yard field goal. The Broncos answered back with a 45-yard field goal from Jonah Dalmas with 2:16 on the clock in the first quarter.
Until the final seven seconds of the half, the defenses owned the quarter with three combined interceptions. The Bulldogs had interceptions on back-to-back Boise State possessions with Phoenix Jackson picking off Maddux Madsen and Al'zillion Hamilton intercepting a deep pass by Taylen Green in the endzone. With the Bulldogs holding a 13-3 lead, Boise State cut into it with a 12-play, 64 yard drive. Madsen ended the possession with a two-yard touchdown pass to Billy Bowens.
With Boise State set to receive the kick to open the second half, Malik Sherrod answered the Broncos' score with one of his own with no time left on the clock, returning his kickoff back 95 yards to put the 'Dogs back up 20-10. It was the first kickoff return touchdown for Fresno State since 2008.
The Bulldogs and Broncos traded touchdowns on the ground in the third quarter with Elijah Gilliam scoring for Fresno State and George Holani for Boise State, both from one yard out. Field goals for each early in the fourth gave the 'Dogs a 30-20 advantage with 10 minutes remaining following a 24 yarder from Lynch.
With 4:40 left in the game, Madsen scrambled for a 27-yard touchdown to bring the Broncos within three.
On second-and-11 from the Fresno State 48, Sherrod broke through the line and outran the secondary for a 52-yard score to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 37-27 with 1:49 on the clock.
Dalmas connected on a 52-yard field goal with 31 seconds to make it 37-30 but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.
UP NEXT
Fresno State hits the road for another rivalry game at San Jose State next Saturday, Nov. 11. The teams will battle for the Valley Trophy as Fresno State looks to keep it for the third-straight season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.