Todd Jones/ Utah Statesman
In its first conference test of 2010, Fresno State answered with a 17-point fourth quarter surge.
In his first career start, running back A.J. Ellis answered the call.
With starter Robbie Rouse on the sidelines nursing multiple injuries, Ellis ran for 165 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to its first road victory of the year over Utah State, winning 41-24 at Romney Stadium in Logan, Utah.
“A.J. Ellis had a great game,” head coach Pat Hill said in a press release. “He made the most of his opportunity. I was really happy for him. He’s been working hard and earned his playing time. He played very well tonight.”
Ellis started the game off with three straight carries for nine yards before turning the ball over on downs on a fumbled snap by quarterback Ryan Colburn.
Working with on a short field, Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel marched the Aggies 57 yards down the field on 12 plays to put the Aggies up 7-0. Borel connected with receiver Dontel Watkins for an eight-yard touchdown pass after escaping a sack by defensive ends Chris Carter and Donavaughn Pritchett.
On the ensuing drive, Colburn would find receiver Jamel Hamler running in stride, hitting him for a 32-yard gain to the Utah State 8 yard line. The ‘Dogs would settle for a Kevin Goessling field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 heading into the second quarter.
After holding the Aggies to a field goal, Colburn and the offense finally got things going. Colburn drove the ‘Dogs 75 yards on seven plays, capped off by a 10-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Ellis in the end zone to even up the score at 10-10.
Utah State and Fresno State would trade a pair of touchdowns before halftime to head into the intermission tied at 17-17.
After giving up two touchdowns and a field goal to the Aggies in the first half, the ‘Dogs defense clamped down on Borel-and-company allowing the Aggies’ offense to just seven points in the second half and one first down in the fourth quarter.
The defense held the shifty Borel to his lowest output of the season, holding him to under 200 total yards. Borel finished the game completing 47 percent of his passes for 106 yards and 66 yards rushing. Borel completed just 4-of-13 passes in the second half after going 7-of-10 passing in the first half with a touchdown.
“It was a great atmosphere and Utah State is a very good team,” Hill said. “To outscore them 24-7 in the second half was a great effort by our team. Our coaches made some great adjustments at halftime.”
Todd Jones/ Utah Statesman
Ellis and senior running back Tracy Slocum added a touchdown each in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Aggies. The ‘Dogs reeled off 24-straight unanswered points in the second half.
Colburn completed 65 percent of throws on 15-of-23 passing and a touchdown. Colburn also added a rushing touchdown on the ground en route to totaling 40 yards rushing.
The 2-0 start is the best the ‘Dogs have opened a season since 2004. The team hits the road for the second week in a row when it travels to Oxford, Miss., to take on Ole Miss.
“We are looking forward to heading to Ole Miss,” Hill said. “That’s going to be a big game in a great atmosphere in an SEC venue.”