Juan Villa / The Collegian

On Senior Day at Bulldog Stadium, it was fitting that Fresno State̢۪s seniors were able to lead their team to victory and become bowl eligible with two games remaining.

Fresno State was led by a gutsy performance from quarterback Tom Brandstater and a career day from defensive tackle Jon Monga. The Bulldogs beat the New Mexico State Aggies 24-17 in the fifth and final home game of the season.

The ‘Red Wave’ waved goodbye to 12 seniors Saturday afternoon and saw just the second win at home this season. Fresno State is now 6-4 and 3-3 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

The Bulldogs came into the contest believing the game was going to be close, like every other game this season.

Bryan Cole / The Collegian

“I forget what it is like to have a game where you have a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, playing your backups,â€Â coach Pat Hill said. “That hasn’t happened this season.â€Â

Fresno State dressed only 54 players for the game, due to a rash of injuries that has hit the team this season.

One of those 54 was Brandstater, but it was close to being 53 after his second quarter ankle injury. Brandstater was tackled awkwardly and was barely able to get on his feet to leave the field.

But the senior wasn̢۪t going out that way.

“Once the idea of me sitting on the sideline for my last senior game crossed my mind, I stood back up and I wasn’t going to come out of that game unless my foot was falling off,â€Â Brandstater said.

Brandstater was efficient through the air, completing 14 of his 20 passes. He did not pass for a touchdown, but scored both of the Bulldog offensive touchdowns on quarterback sneaks.

Brandstater̢۪s favorite target throughout his three seasons under center has been senior tight end Bear Pascoe. Pascoe has been slowed by injuries this season, but was at full strength for his final game at Jim Sweeney Field.

Pascoe had three catches for 56 yards including the longest play on the day, a 32-yard catch. Pascoe and senior offensive linemen Kenny Avon and Bobby Lepori were able to help get the running game back on track. Fresno State was without tailbacks Ryan Mathews and Lonyae Miller, but Anthony Harding filled in their absence.

“People know we are going to run the ball, we gotta keep pounding and pounding, take the will out of ‘em,â€Â Harding said.

Harding ran for 101 yards and helped the Bulldogs establish their signature run game that has been anemic in the past few games.

On the defensive side of the ball, Monga kept the pressure on quarterback Chase Holbrook, the WAC̢۪s leading passer, recording three sacks.

Sophmore Chris Carter, who has moved from the Will linebacker position to defensive end, had two sacks and felt the pass rush helped keep Holbrook in check.

“We have this philosophy on the defense that the best pass defense is a pass rush,â€Â Carter said.

Coming into the game, the Bulldog defense had only six sacks in the first nine games. Against the Aggies, the Bulldogs got to the quarterback five times.

The defense also held tough against the rush, recovering from Nevada̢۪s 472 rushing yards last week. The defense held New Mexico State to negative nine yards on the ground.

“I know this isn’t a real big running team, but however you slice it, minus-9 yards rushing [for New Mexico State], that’s a school record,â€Â Hill said.

The Bulldogs got their sixth win of the season against the Aggies and are now eligible for a postseason bowl game.

It was even sweeter knowing that it was the seniors̢۪ last chance to play for the home crowd.

“Every time you walk onto the field you’re expecting to win, that’s the plan,â€Â Brandstater said. “It put a little more emphasis on it [today] because it would be a pretty bad feeling to have my last game on that field a loss.â€Â

Fresno State will play on a short week Friday at San Jose State. The Bulldogs and the Spartans will be playing for more than pride this time around.

Both teams are now bowl eligible and will be fighting for a spot in the postseason.

Collegian Players of the Game

Tom Brandstater: Offense

Jon Monga: Defense

Sharrod Davis: Special Teams

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

̢ۢ Offense: Quarterback Tom Brandstater РThe senior signal caller rushed for two scores on a hurt ankle to lead the Bulldogs̢۪ offense.

̢ۢ Defense: Defensive tackle Jon Monga РAfter sitting out four games, Monga is back in full form. He had three sacks on Saturday and two tackles for loss.

̢ۢ Special Teams: Cornerback Sharrod Davis РDavis literally ripped the ball away from Aggie kick returner Marcus Anderson and took it all the way to the end zone for a score.

Coming up next…

Fresno State picked up its sixth win and is now bowl eligible, but that won̢۪t guarantee anything. The Bulldogs are one of four WAC teams with six wins, including their opponent this Friday, the San Jose State Spartans. To secure a postseason birth, the Bulldogs will need a big victory over the Spartans.