SAN JOSE – In a battle for the Valley Trophy, Fresno State allowed 313 rushing yards in a 42-18 defeat to San Jose State on Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium.
The Bulldogs were outgained 459-308 in total yards. Fresno State lost the turnover battle with the Spartans cashing in both for touchdowns.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State won the toss, and kicked off to start the game. San Jose State took just six plays over 75 yards to find the end zone and take an early 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded with a 31-yard field goal by Dylan Lynch to get on the board in their first drive.
San Jose State pieced together a seven-play, 60-yard scoring drive to extend their lead to 14-3 with 2:55 left in the first quarter.
On Fresno State's following drive, Keene threw an interception to Matthew Tago deep in Fresno State territory. The Spartans cashed the turnover in for points, extending their lead to 21-3 in the first quarter.
The Bulldog defense allowed another big San Jose State drive, giving up 77 yards on eight plays to extend the SJSU lead to 28-3 with 9:55 before halftime.
Following a 15-yard rush from Malik Sherrod on third-and-5, the Bulldogs scored their first touchdown of the night on a 39-yard connection from Keene to Mac Dalena, bringing the score to 28-10 with 7:57 remaining in the half. Fresno State's defense was playing to a better standard, getting SJSU into a third-and-very long situation following a big hit and pass breakup by Phoenix Jackson.
With Logan Fife in at quarterback for the Bulldogs in place of an injured Keene, the 'Dogs saw their second turnover of the game on the opening drive of the second half. Fife threw short of the goal line and it was intercepted by Michael Dansby who returned it 98 yards to give the Spartans a 35-10 advantage with 10:17 on the clock.
SJSU made it 42-10 through Kairee Robinson. After a 47-yard run, the Spartan back punched it in from five yards out. The Bulldogs responded with a seven-play, 71-yard drive that Fife finished off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Moss with 9:01 remaining in the game. Opting for the two-point conversion, Fife connected with Jake Boust for two.
UP NEXT
Fresno State hosts New Mexico for Senior Day at Valley Children's Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff will be either 2 p.m. PT on FS2 or 7:30 p.m. PT on FS1. FOX and the Mountain West will announce the kickoff designation on Sunday morning.