Oct. 8, 2022. That was the last time the Fresno State football team lost a game, falling 40-20 against Boise State on the road.
In the last year, the Bulldogs went 14-0 and outscored their opponents 492-21. The second longest winning streak in college football came to an end on Saturday, Oct. 7, in Laramie. The University of Wyoming beat Fresno State 24-19.
Wyoming dominated No. 24 Fresno State early and often in the first half.
The ‘Dogs opened the game with a three-and-out, quickly giving the ball to the Cowboys who marched down the field.
The Cowboys went 66 yards on 13 plays before settling for a 34 yard field goal, making the score 3-0.
Mikey Keene and Fresno State’s offense was held to another three-and-out. Wyoming took advantage as quarterback Andrew Peasley connected with Wyatt Wieland for 14 yards and a touchdown to go up 10-0.
It was the Cowboys’ first touchdown against the ‘Dogs since 2017.
The Bulldogs started to show life as they responded with a 75 –yard drive, including a 6-yard floating pass to the right corner of the endzone from Keene to wide receiver Jalen Moss, cutting the deficit to 10-7.
Moss led Fresno State in receiving with 115 yards on nine catches, including the touchdown.
the youngin’ 🫡
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/978i0cOlDb
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) October 8, 2023
Wyoming took over the game the rest of the second quarter, including two more touchdown passes from Peasley. The Cowboys went into halftime leading 24-7, dominating Fresno State on both sides of the ball.
The Bulldogs defense appeared to make some adjustments during the break as they opened the second half by forcing a three-and-out, the first Wyoming drive of the night to not end in points.
The Bulldog offense responded with a mixed 15 play drive that resulted in a 39 yard field goal from kicker Dylan Lynch, to make it 24-10 with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter.
Fresno State continued to cut into the lead with another field goal from Lynch to make it 24-13. The points did not come without a cost, though.
After suffering an ankle injury from a sack, Keene was knocked out of the game. The ‘Dogs managed to recover an onside kick, maintaining momentum in the process.
Logan Fife replaced Keene and seemingly had his back against the wall while scrambling before throwing a strike to the end zone where he found wide receiver Mac Dalena.
Dalena finished the game with eight receptions for 90 yards.
What at throw and what a catch 🔥@FresnoStateFB makes it a 5-point game with 5 minutes left on the clock pic.twitter.com/yE70SFPQiN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 8, 2023
The touchdown made it a 5-point game with 5:17 remaining, before a failed two-point conversion.
Wyoming’s offense started to move the ball down the field, picking up 45 yards but were forced to kick for a field goal.
The 47 yard attempt was no good, however, giving Fresno State one last opportunity to come back with 1:48 left in regulation.
Fife and the ‘Dogs pushed the ball up to midfield before the backup quarterback was intercepted at the line of scrimmage, the final straw in what ended Fresno State’s winning streak.
The offensive line was pressured all night and allowed three sacks, including one where Keene was hurt in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs were also limited to a mere 38 yards on the ground. Theyalso had eight penalties for 93 yards that proved to be a huge difference maker.
Keene completed 23-of-35 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown prior to leaving the game. The severity of his injury is unclear at this time.
Fresno State will look to regroup next Friday when they head to Utah State to take on the Aggies at 5 p.m.
Correction: On Oct. 9, 2023 this story was updated on the type of injury Mikey Keene sustained in the game.
