What we learned:

The first thing we learned during Saturday’s contest is that Robbie Rouse is not Ryan Mathews. This is not to say Rouse doesn’t have the potential to put up gaudy numbers, but the play calling didn’t suit his running style. With Rouse’s stature and slash-and-dash abilities, he is more suitable as a change-of-pace back rather than an every-down, between-the-tackles runner. A.J. Ellis, who is built more as a north and south runner, took only one carry between the tackles for six yards, longer than any carry Rouse had. Rouse is at his best in the open field as evidence by his 20-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Expect a running back by committee possibly when the ‘Dogs travel to Utah State on Sept. 18.

Offensive breakdown:

Colburn looked solid. A year of experience and maturity showed on the field as Colburn played the best home game of his career statistically, completing 75 percent of his passes and four touchdowns. The receivers made up for their lack of size by running crisp routes and giving Colburn a legitimate deep threat, probably his best attribute as a quarterback. Receivers Rashad Evans, Devon Wylie and Jamel Hamler showed great hands, snagging a few jump balls in the end zone for touchdowns. On the contrary, the running game was not in typical Bulldog form. Pat Hill’s squad ranked ninth in the nation last year in rushing yards, but only gained 49 on the ground against the Bearcats. If the ‘Dogs don’t find a running game and find it quick, defenses will begin to key on Colburn, and we may not see another performance like we did Saturday.

Defensive breakdown:

After years of getting pushed around, the defensive line finally lived up to its promise. The line wreaked havoc from start to finish, confusing quarterback Zach Collaros throughout the entire game. The ‘Dogs finished the game with eight sacks with seven coming from the defensive front four. The impressive pass rush is something the ‘Dogs haven’t seen since the early 2000s when the team had Alan Harper and Nick Burley chasing opposing quarterbacks. As a whole, the defense has improved drastically. Pat Hill’s mantra “Shut up and hit somebody” was finally put on displayed Saturday night. Our player to watch, Desia Dunn, led a secondary that delivered devestating hits.

Saturday’s Standouts

Game-changing moment: Logan Harrell’s first sack.
With around five minutes to play, Bulldog defensive tackle Logan Harrell did what the Bulldogs’ defense was having trouble with from the get-go: Getting a hand on quarterback Zach Collaros. For the first quarter and a half, Collaros ran up, down and around the Fresno State defense, but Harrell’s first of four sacks on the night flipped the momentum in the Bulldogs’ favor.

Unsung hero: Andrew Shapiro, P

In his first career start replacing All-Western Athletic Conference punter Robert Malone, Andrew Shapiro averaged 40 yards a punt, including two inside the Cincinnati 20 yard line. Shapiro also got good hang time on his punts, allowing just one returnable kick for the Bearcats’ D.J. Woods that went for no gain.

‘Dogs sealed the deal when…

….the first play of the fourth quarter, Colburn showcased his deep-ball accuracy by hitting sophomore Rashad Evans for a 59-yard scoring strike that put Fresno up 14 points, 28-14. The score capped Fresno State’s scoring night and its 28-unanswered points.

Interesting stat of the game: Colburn finished a perfect 10-for-10

Colburn, who started the game shaky throwing an interception on his third pass of the game, kicked his play into high gear from then on, especially in the second half. He finished the game 18-for-24 and 247 yards and matching a career-high four touchdowns.

Call of the game: 4th-and-2, 10:38 left in 3rd quarter, Fresno State ball

With the game tied 14-14 and momentum at a standstill, Pat Hill elected to go for it on 4th down from the Cincinnati 36 yard line. Colburn play actioned to Robbie Rouse, rolled to his left, and found an open Tapa Taumoepeau in the flats for a first down. The very next play Colburn found Devon Wylie in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown and the first lead of the night, 21-14.

Dog bone giveaway: Desia Dunn, CB and Logan Harrell, DT

Dunn recorded a career-high and game-high 11 tackles, a few resulting in bone-rattling hits on Bearcats receivers. Harrell was named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his four sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one pass breakup performance. The ‘Dogs took down Collaros eight times.