Fresno State traveled back on the road to take on the University of Nevada, Reno. The Bulldogs finished the game against the Wolfpack with a 41-14 blowout win.
With this win on Nov. 19, the Bulldogs clinched the Mountain West (MW) West Division title.
With their sixth straight conference win, the West Division title also earned the ‘Dogs a spot in the MW championship game set to be in Boise State. After the loss at the beginning of the season to Boise State, the Bulldogs’ chances of winning the West Division looks slim.
“It was really nice to get a total team victory. These kids have worked really hard, the coaching staff worked really hard, so I’m really proud of them all to be the Western Division Champs,” said Fresno State Head Coach Jeff Tedford.
Tedford praised the team’s resilience for never losing belief after entering the conference season 1-4. He said the team stayed together as a group and kept fighting.
The offensive team was led by the Bulldog trio of quarterback Jake Haener, wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper and running back Jordan Mims.
In Saturday’s game, Haener threw 361 yards, two passing touchdowns and zero interceptions; Moreno-Cropper had 136 receiving yards; and Mims added 156 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Senior defensive end David Perales also put on a show against the Wolfpack with six tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, one interception, one broken up pass and three quarterback hurries.
“At practice I had two interceptions… just relying on my technique and what I’m supposed to do. I feel like that’s what really helped me separate myself today,” said Perales.
Haener was named the MW player of the Week following his performance against the Wolfpack. This is the second MW honor he has received since he returned from his injury. He scored two rushing touchdowns for Saturday night’s win, the first rushing of his season.
“It’s nice to come in and get a win and be the West Division champions, I thought we could’ve played better. I was really disappointed in myself, I thought I could’ve done a lot better out there leading those guys,” Haener said.
He also set a record of 26-straight games played with a passing touchdown to tie the Mountain West Record. Other notable players that sit on top of this record are Derek Carr and former Nevada quarterback Carson Strong.
Running back Mims also set career highs in a single season. With Mims’ 156 rushing yards against Nevada, he became the first Bulldog since 2014 to rush 1,000 yards in a season. He is the 16th player to hit the milestone in program history.
“It feels good, I know earlier in the season that was one of the goals. I’m happy I was able to accomplish that tonight,” Mims said.
This Friday, the Bulldogs will host Wyoming for senior night.
The team will celebrate 13 seniors; Dontae Bull, LJ Early, Elijah Gates, Haener, Zach Hartsfield, Ty Jones, Mims, Moreno-Cropper, Raymond Pauwels Jr, Perales, Zane Pope, Nikko Remigio and Jared Torres.
The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Valley Children’s Stadium.
