ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - For the fourth time in the last four seasons, Fresno State left University Stadium with a win, defeating New Mexico 38-21 on Saturday evening. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers, turning them into 15 points.
Mikey Keene passed for 226 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-33 attempts. Elijah Gilliam added a season-high 18 carries for 54 yards and a score.
Tuasivi Nomura racked up a career-high 16 tackles on the defensive side, the most by a Bulldog since Jeff Allison on Oct. 6, 2018. Al'zillion Hamilton and Julian Neal each grabbed an interception.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State didn't do much with its first opportunity, going three-and-out to start the game, but the Bulldogs' defense got the offense the ball back just three plays later off a fumble recovery by Jahzon Jacks at the UNM 34-yard line. Fresno State would cash that in for points as the 'Dogs used 10 plays to punch it in off the five-yard pass from Mikey Keene to Josiah Freeman. Fresno State opted for two, and converted off the pass from Jayden Mandal to Brock Lium.
New Mexico answered with a 14-play, 73-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard field goal. The Bulldogs responded with a drive over 70 yards of their own. An 11-play 75-yard drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown rush on third-and-goal for Bryson Donelson, the first of the freshman's career.
Holding the Lobos to just four plays on their next drive, the 'Dogs turned the stop into points for the third consecutive possession. Moving the ball down to the UNM 18-yard line, Dylan Lynch converted from 36 yards out.
With a drive starting at 5:03 left in the second quarter, New Mexico worked its way downfield, but after back-to-back penalties Al'zillion Hamilton halted all progress with his first interception of the season at the Fresno State 38-yard line. Fresno State quickly turned Hamilton's pick into points just five plays later as the 'Dogs pulled out the trick play that saw Raylen Sharpe complete a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kamron Beachem to put Fresno State up 25-3 with 1:25 left in the first half.
With five plays of 10 yards or more, New Mexico quickly worked the ball down the field, cutting its deficit to 25-10 at halftime.
Fresno State's defense held the Lobos off the board in their first drive of the second half. The Bulldogs used 14 plays to move down field, and tacked on another field goal by Lynch from 42-yards out.
New Mexico pulled back to within two scores at 28-13 with a 20-yard field goal with just over 12 minutes to play.
After a punt by Clay Lawrence that put New Mexico at its own 3-yard line, Fresno State's defense picked up a big fourth-and-1 stop by Malachi Langley at the New Mexico 12-yard line, putting the Bulldog offense in good field position. The 'Dogs capitalized, scoring seven plays later on a one-yard punch-in by Elijah Gilliam.
The Lobos put together a successful scoring drive of their own, going nine plays and 75 yards for a one-yard run for the score and Fresno State responded with a 31-yarder from the leg of Lynch to make it 38-21 in favor of the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT
Fresno State remains on the road next weekend, traveling to Las Vegas, Nev., to face undefeated and No. 25 UNLV. Kickoff from Allegiant Stadium is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on FS1 or FS2.