Looking to keep their three-game winning streak alive, the Fresno State Bulldogs faced the University of Wyoming Cowboys at Bulldog Stadium Saturday night for what would be the Bulldog’s second conference game of the season.
In a very defensive minded game, the Bulldogs defeated the Cowboys, 27-3, adding another tally in the left-hand column and giving the ‘Dogs another conference win.
The game started with a very intense Wyoming team driving down to the Bulldogs end of the field within the first few minutes. Fresno State finally caught up to them and stopped them on the Bulldogs 27 yard line, where the Cowboys scored a field goal to take the lead, 3-0.
Fresno State responded later in the quarter after a bad punt by Wyoming put the Bulldogs at the Cowboys 35-yard-line. The Bulldogs were able to split the defense when tight end Jared Rice caught a pass from quarterback Marcus McMaryion for a touchdown.
The ‘Dogs weren’t able to score again until the second quarter, much in thanks to their own doing with penalties and bad play execution.
Just before the end of the first half, Fresno State was able to put seven more points on the board to take the lead. The score came after a long drive that saw the Bulldogs go for it on fourth down at the one yard line and come away with six points after a quarterback sneak.
Both teams went into halftime knowing that the game was wide open and whoever came out better in the second half had a good chance for a win.
Fresno State received the ball to start the second half and much like the first half, the Bulldogs offense started slow and very out of sync. The defense however was ready and shut down Wyoming just like they had done in the first half.
The Bulldogs finally got on the same page offensively halfway through the third quarter and managed to add another touchdown to the board. The touchdown came when tight end David Tangipa caught a three-yard pass from McMaryion to make the score 20-3.
“We just need to run the play calls as they are coming in and try to execute at the best of our ability.” McMaryion said after the game.
Wyoming’s offense didn’t have an answer for the Bulldog’s defense that was in shutdown mode the entire game. However, the Cowboy’s defense did manage to get the ‘Dogs offense in trouble throughout the entire game.
The last score of the night for the Bulldogs came towards the end of the third quarter when McMaryion called his own number and ran it in for six on a read option.
The game ended with the Bulldogs putting in their second quarterback, Jorge Reyna. The lead allowed some second-string players to have some playing time, as has been the case in several of the ‘Dogs blowout victories this season.
“It was a solid team effort…we shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times, but I thought we played very efficient in all three phases of the game,” head coach Jeff Tedford said. “Each week is a learning experience, we just need to keep grinding on our fundamentals and make sure we are executing what we practice.”