As the clock on the Bulldog Stadium scoreboard struck zero and Utah State kicker Dominik Eberle’s kick glided through the uprights, the hopes of the Fresno State football team winning the Mountain West (MW) West Division and making the MW Championship game became non-existent.
Last Saturday’s game was a tough break for the Bulldogs, who were given a taste of their own medicine nearly a week after beating the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in similar fashion when they won with a game-winning kick by Cesar Silva.
The Bulldogs have moved to 4-5 overall (2-3 MW) as they lost two of their last three games and have found themselves in quite the predicament, falling to fourth in the MW standing. Luckily for the ‘Dogs, the unexpected took place in San Diego hours after Fresno State had its heart broken by Utah State.
The Bulldogs received a bit of help in the standing from upcoming opponent Nevada as the Wolf Pack stunned the No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs with a 17-13 win Saturday. The loss gives the Aztecs their second conference loss, allowing Nevada to also join West Division contention.
In order for the Bulldogs to have a sliver of a chance to make it to the MW Championship, they would need to win out for the rest of the season, beating San Diego State, Nevada and San Jose State and in the process, would need San Diego State to lose its final two games in MW play.
Even with the loss to Utah State, the Bulldogs’ season that once seemed as dead as the night when it came to MW play has now risen like Lazarus, and they still have a chance to reach some of the expectations that were once rendered upon them.
Reaching that championship game will continue to be an uphill battle as the Bulldogs will now have to face a 7-2 overall (4-2 MW) Aztecs team that should be none too pleased with being upset by Nevada and will certainly be looking to make up for last week’s defeat.
Beyond next week’s game against the Aztecs, the Bulldogs will also have to face Nevada at Bulldog Stadium in the final home game of the season. The Wolfpack have hit their stride as of late with good play and a boost in confidence coming off an upset win over San Diego State.
Despite the turbulence that inconsistent play has caused the Bulldogs’ season, one filled with ups and downs, they have somehow managed to find themselves virtually in control of their own destiny due to the parity throughout the MW.
It will take a lot out of the Bulldogs in order for them to find themselves playing for another MW Championship in December. But given the help they received last week, the goal is still a possibility.
Reyna recap
Against Utah State, Reyna may have not played the most statistically outstanding game of his career, but he may have played one of the smartest games so far.
This past week, Reyna looked like he may have finally found his footing as he was making smart decisions throughout and showed that he was able to find his receivers in a more efficient way, which is what he had been lacking early on in the season.
Despite finishing the game just 16 of 20 for only 263 yards, Reyna’s contribution came in the form of extending plays and gaining the necessary yardage needed to move the sticks, keeping the Bulldogs in the game.
No play was more evident of how much better Reyna has gotten with his poise and decision making than in the 2nd quarter when, with a defender bearing down on his right tackle, Reyna stepped up in the pocket and found wide receiver Jamal Glaspie for a 33-yard completion.
There were similar plays early on in the season where the pressure would have gotten to Reyna and he might have decided to tuck the ball and run or may have not thrown the ball with as much confidence, leading to an inaccurate throw.
But Reyna may have finally turned the corner as the Bulldogs will need him to continue to make smart decisions through the air and play with poise down the next three-game stretch.