SAN DIEGO – Held without the ball for more than 40 minutes, Fresno State dropped its final game of the regular season to San Diego State, 33-18, on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Bulldogs were outgained 415-341 with 226 of those coming on the ground. The Aztecs' rushing game, along with the Bulldogs' offense being held to just 1-of-9 one third downs, played key roles in SDSU recording the most time of possession by a Bulldog opponent since 2015.
Fresno State's bright spot was running back Malik Sherrod who accounted for a program-record 312 all-purpose yards to go with his two touchdowns. The junior had career-highs in rushing yards (138), receiving yards (44) and kick return yards (130).
HOW IT HAPPENED
After 13 yards on two rushes on Fresno State's first four plays of the game, Malik Sherrod got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with his third attempt. Breaking through the middle of San Diego State's defense, Sherrod took the ball 62 yards in the end zone to give the 'Dogs an early 7-0 advantage.
SDSU answered on the next possession with a 32-yard field goal from Jack Browning. It started a string of 16 unanswered points for the Aztecs.
Dylan Lynch cut the deficit to six at 16-10 heading into the locker room with a 43-yard field for the 'Dogs.
Held to a three-and-out on the opening possession of the second half, the Bulldogs were forced to punt. The Aztecs proceeded to go 51 yards on nine plays with Jaylon Armstead finishing the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
SDSU forced Carson King to make his sixth punt of the evening on the Bulldogs' next possession. The Aztecs made it 26-10 with 14:14 remaining in the game. But four minutes later, Fresno State made it a one-score game at 26-18. The Bulldogs put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Sherrod punched in from one yard out.
The Aztecs ate up more than seven minutes with a 14-play drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Mayden to Leo Kemp.
UP NEXT
Fresno State awaits the 2023 bowl game designations. The Bulldogs are bowl eligible for the third season in a row (2021-23).