Joseph Vasquez / The Collegian
It̢۪s the same old story, just a different year.
Fresno State had high hopes of competing for a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title, but was taken down a notch by their kryptonite — the Boise State Broncos. Though not completely out of the WAC title hunt, the Bulldogs now have no control over who wins the title.
The five-time conference champion Broncos defeated the Bulldogs 34-21 for their sixth victory in their last seven games against the Bulldogs.
This was the first conference loss of the season for the Bulldogs (5-3, 4-1 WAC) and ended a four-game winning streak.
“If you’re gonna have to win this league you have to go through Boise State,â€Â coach Pat Hill said. “I think we’re closing the gap but we haven’t closed it yet.â€Â
The Bulldogs had trouble stopping Boise State̢۪s running game, as well as running the ball themselves. Fresno State gained 89 yards rushing compared to the 282 gained by Boise State.
Juan Villa / The Collegian
Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews was held to a mere 49 yards rushing to go with one touchdown. It was his first start at the collegiate level.
“[Boise State] just filled the holes really well,â€Â Mathews said. “Their linebackers just played a real good game and there was nowhere to go.â€Â
Quarterback Tom Brandstater couldn̢۪t get the passing game going much, either. The Bulldogs were forced into catch-up mode for most of the game, trailing from the second quarter on.
The Bulldogs only converted 1 of 13 third downs. Brandstater was 21 of 39 passing for 263 yards and a touchdown.
“We just kept making mistakes,â€Â Brandstater said. “They kept bringing pressure and we weren’t able to handle it.â€Â
Brandstater overthrew wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu in the second quarter on a ball that would have been a touchdown pass.
“That one is gonna eat at me for awhile,â€Â Brandstater said. “I wish I had it back.â€Â
Conversely, Boise State was able to convert 10 of 18 third downs, and controlled the clock throughout the entire game.
“It was very frustrating,â€Â linebacker Marcus Riley said. “We knew they had a good running game, with one of the top offensive lines in the nation. We just didn’t get the job done.â€Â
Both teams were without their starting running backs. Boise State̢۪s Ian Johnson sat out his second game in a row with a bruised kidney. Fresno State̢۪s Lonyae Miller was out with a knee injury. Miller did not practice all week and remains day-to-day.
The absence of Johnson did little to damper Boise, as the tandem of Jeremy Avery and D.J. Harper trounced the Bulldogs for a combined total of 277 yards and four touchdowns.
Juan Villa / The Collegian
“I saw some pretty physical runs out of [Harper],â€Â Avery said. “I challenged him to step up this game. We kept challenging each other after every down. It all starts up front and they kept getting a big push.â€Â
The one bright spot for the Bulldogs was Clifton Smith. He broke the school record for punt return touchdowns with a 65-yard return in the first quarter to put Fresno State up, 14-7.
“I feel good about being the new record holder,â€Â Smith said. “I’m just glad I got to beat it against Boise, but I gotta smash it so I can hold it for a while.â€Â
Smith also set up Fresno State̢۪s first score with a 36-yard scamper to the nine-yard line. Mathews plunged in for the touchdown.
Smith ended the night with 219 all-purpose yards.
The Bulldogs̢۪ offense did not find any rhythm for the rest of the game however and the defense continued to struggle.
Fresno State showed some life at the end of fourth quarter when Brandstater hooked up with Marlon Moore at the back of the end zone for a 21-yard score. Moore juggled the ball but was able to hang on and get in a foot for the score.
With the victory, Boise State improved to 43-1 in its last 44 WAC contests.
Many of the 40,607 in attendance left Bulldog Stadium with that same sour taste in their mouth that comes after losing to Boise State. They came in wearing black and red, but left feeling blue.
“These guys have been fighting all year,â€Â Brandstater said. “Our original goal was to win the WAC title. We can do that. We’re just gonna take it one game at a time.â€Â
“This team will be resilient,â€Â Hill said. “We’re not out of this thing by any stretch of the imagination. We just don’t control our own destiny anymore.â€Â
With a little help, that destiny may contain a conference title.