Darrell James / Special to The Collegian

FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS 35, LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS 38

Fresno State̢۪s conference title hopes dwindle after loss in Ruston

The Fresno State Bulldogs̢۪ dream of a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title might stay just a dream thanks to Saturday̢۪s performance in Ruston, La.

Fresno State only amassed 63 yards rushing and allowed 280 yards on the ground in a 38-35 loss to Louisiana Tech on Saturday afternoon at Joe Aillet Stadium.

Fresno State (5-3, 2-2 WAC) will most likely need to win the rest of its games and get a little help from the outside if it hopes to contend for a conference title.

Coach Pat Hill said his team is now just focused on getting to the postseason. The Bulldogs need to win one more game to be bowl-eligible.

“We’ve got one thing left to play for now and that’s the postseason,â€Â Hill said. “It’s a reverse ladder that you have to climb and we need to do a good job of just regrouping.â€Â

For the first time this season, Fresno State̢۪s run game was absolutely non-existent. The Bulldogs were held to their lowest rushing total of the season Saturday.

Sophomore Ryan Mathews only carried the ball five times for 8 yards and Lonyae Miller didn̢۪t play due to an injury.

Anthony Harding was Fresno State̢۪s leading rusher with 47 yards.

Louisiana Tech did the exact opposite, running all over Fresno State̢۪s defense.

With a sophomore quarterback at the helm, Louisiana Tech relied on its tailback tandem of junior Daniel Porter and senior Patrick Jackson.

Porter gained 189 yards on the ground and scored twice, while Jackson gained 59 yards on the ground and scored twice as well, including a 27-yard touchdown reception.

“It came down to us not being able to run the ball and them having the ability to run the ball,â€Â Hill said. “We didn’t run the ball effectively and that was the difference.â€Â

Louisiana Tech put together a drive in the fourth quarter that was similar to Fresno State̢۪s decisive drive at UCLA last month.

Tech drove 97 yards down the field on a 7-minute drive and put the ball in the end zone to go ahead 31-28. Out of 14 plays on that drive, Tech only threw the ball once.

Fresno State tried to answer back on their ensuing possession, but came up a little bit short.

Facing a fourth-and-seven at the Louisiana Tech 44-yard line, quarterback Tom Brandstater tried to hit Seyi Ajirotutu on an out route, but the ball hit the ground in front of Ajirotutu, giving Louisiana Tech possession.

Tech sealed the deal with a 43-yard touchdown run from Porter to go ahead 38-28 with only 1:37 left in regulation.

Fresno State was able to drive down the field and cut the score to 38-35 with a Brandstater touchdown pass to Bear Pascoe.

The Bulldogs went for an onside kick, but to no avail.

“We just got outplayed in the second half,â€Â Hill said. “I thought our kids fought hard, but we just got beat at the point of attack.â€Â

Fresno State got a spark from freshman punt returner Rashad Evans, who filled in nicely for the injured Marlon Moore.

Evans had two punt returns for 91 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Ajirotutu had a career-high 137 yards receiving and two scores for Fresno State, while Brandstater threw for 296 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

The Bulldogs host Nevada (4-4, 2-2 WAC) on Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

Nevada is the top offense in the conference and lead the WAC in rushing.

Fresno State̢۪s run defense will face an even tougher test with the Wolf Pack coming to town.

“There’s been nothing easy about this season,â€Â Hill said. “We’re going to keep fighting.â€Â

Collegian Players of the Game

The Collegian hands out its game balls following every football game:

Offense: Seyi Ajirotutu – Career-high 137 yards receiving and two TDs.
Defense: Desia Dunn – Had an interception and nine tackles.
Special Teams: Rashad Evans – 91 yards on punt returns and a score.