In a back-and-forth battle against the UNLV Rebels, the No. 22 Fresno State Bulldogs had possession with 4:53 left in the fourth quarter, leading 30-29.
In front of a packed crowd with 35,093 fans, Haener snapped back and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jalen Cropper with a catch inches away from out of bounds. Cropper solidified the victory with his fourth touchdown catch of the game from Haener.
On Friday, Sept. 24, Fresno State defeated UNLV at Bulldog Stadium 38-30 in an unexpected nail-biter.
“Energy and execution. That’s what it’s going to come down to,” Cropper said. “I feel like we brought that in the second half.”
The dynamic duo could not be stopped in the second half – Haener finished the night with 378 passing yards and Cropper with 108 receiving yards in 10 receptions.
The 6-foot junior was definitely the number one option when the Bulldogs needed a big play in the end zone. Catching four out of the five touchdowns in tonight’s game, this was a career high for him in receiving touchdowns.
Cropper now has 10 touchdowns and 455 receiving yards this season.
“[Cropper] is becoming a complete receiver,” Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “He’s not just this fast guy that’s running around… He’s winning by running good routes.”
The game did not look to be in the Bulldog’s favor. As if it was the beginning of the season, they started off slow and less aggressive.
In their first drive of the game, Haener threw multiple incomplete passes to receivers Ty Jones and Keric Wheatfall, leading to a punt a couple of minutes into the first quarter.
On the opposing side, the Rebel’s offense came out immediately attacking the defensive team – rush plays were UNLV’s key game plan.
Rebel quarterback Doug Brumfield started their first drive with a 37-yard rush, dodging and bulldozing through Fresno State’s defense. After the rush, Brumfield threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Jenkins, leading the Bulldogs 7-0 with 10:00 left in the first quarter.
Another UNLV player who looked unstoppable in Friday’s game was running back and Fresno native Charles Williams.
“Charles, you know, I give props to him. He was running hard,” Bulldog defensive end Arron Mosby said.
Williams performed well in his homecoming.
At the end of the first quarter, Williams rushed for a 5-yard touchdown, extending the lead 14-0. He ended the game with 102 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
But the game was not over for Fresno State.
Similar to their matchup against Oregon, the Bulldogs needed to comeback from a 14-0 deficit.
Fresno State kicker Cesar Silva settled in nicely after missing the last three games with an injury. He gave his team their first score with a 25-yard field goal. The Rebels still led 14-3 with 11:38 in the second quarter.
As the defense shut down UNLV’s offense the rest of the second quarter, Haener three his first touchdown of the game, an 18-yard pass to receiver Erik Brooks, cutting the Rebel’s lead 14-9 at the end of the first half.
This is the first time Fresno State did not lead in total yards in the first half. UNLV led in yards 189-163, 125 of those being rushing yards. This was a rare performance from Fresno State from both the offensive and defensive end.
Coach DeBoer said he did not want to call it a wake-up call, but there was a shift in the second half. After another Rebel touchdown in the third quarter, Fresno State started their comeback run – starting with the dynamic duo of Haener and Cropper.
Cropper received a 4-yard touchdown pass from Haener, UNLV still leading 21-16 with 7:35 left in the third quarter.
Haener reverted to the all-star playing he has been accustomed to this season.
After an important defensive stop by Bulldog Levelle Bailey – forcing a Rebel punt, Haener capitalized with a 55-yard throw to Wheatfall. Riding the momentum of the Red Wave’s cheers, Haener threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Cropper, giving Fresno State their first lead of the game 22-21.
Haener and Cropper scored again after this, extending the lead 29-21.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, UNLV gained back the lead with another touchdown and a field goal, leading 30-29. But with the Bulldogs continuing their aggression and energy, Fresno State began to play like a No. 22 team. UNLV was scoreless the rest of the game.
Fresno State scored one more touchdown and Silva kicked another field goal, capping its victory 38-30.
“Find a way, right,” DeBoer said, as if it was their motto for winning. “That’s what it’s all about… We found a way to win and found a way to get the ball in the air and score.”
Fresno State travels to Honolulu next Saturday, Oct. 2, to play against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at 8 p.m.