Another game brought another string of low points for the Fresno State football team.
With a 56-14 loss on Homecoming against Utah State, the Bulldogs extended their losing streak to five, making it their first five-game losing streak since 2006.
For the Aggies, it was their first win in Fresno since 1980. The win also gave the Aggies their highest point-total in a road game since 1997.
“We gotta figure it out between tonight and tomorrow when we come back,” Fresno State head coach Tim DeRuyter said. “We gotta give our kids a better chance to compete because right now we’re not competing anywhere near where we need to.”
Saturday’s loss at Bulldog Stadium started with a spark for the ‘Dogs.
Fresno State kick returner Da’Mari Scott managed a huge return on the opening kickoff, setting up the ‘Dogs at the Utah State 40-yard line for the opening drive.
But the Homecoming night quickly turned sour.
In his first start for the ‘Dogs, freshman quarterback Kilton Anderson immediately threw an interception and the Aggies started their first drive at their own 2-yard line.
The Bulldog defense forced a three-and-out on Utah State’s first drive, but the Aggies took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter after running back LaJuan Hunt scored on a run from 15 yards out.
While the defense struggled to hold the Aggies for the rest of the game, the ‘Dogs offense remained stifled.
Anderson was intercepted two more times in the game, while being sacked five times.
“I did my best and just didn’t get it done,” Anderson said. “Like [coach] DeRuyter said, We’ll evaluate the tape and come back tomorrow.”
The Fresno State crowd arrived after the opening kickoff, but they didn’t stay for long.
With the ‘Dogs losing 29-7 at the end of the first half, fans headed for the exits.
The few remaining fans witnessed a second half that didn’t get any better for the ‘Dogs.
The Aggies moved the ball down to the Fresno State 41-yard line on the opening drive of the second half and running back Devante Mays capped the drive, running the ball the rest of the way to give the Aggies a 36-7 lead.
Mays found the end zone again for the Aggies with a 23-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to push their lead, 43-7.
Fresno State running back Marteze Waller made it a 43-14 game with a 1-yard touchdown rush at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The touchdown was Waller’s first rushing score since the ‘Dogs faced Hawaii on Nov. 29, 2014.
With an 0-3 conference record, the ‘Dogs stand in last place in their division.
“We just gotta keep going back to work,” DeRuyter said. “We got a bunch of kids that are fighting, not having much success.”