The Fresno State football team capped off its season with a 37-10 win at the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Bulldogs came in as the underdog — the Aggies were the 3-point favorite — but the win showed that wasn’t the case.
An in-state bowl game for New Mexico State meant that its fans filled the stadium more than Fresno State fans, with a total of 30,822 people in attendance.
Basically a home game for NM State. Aggies fans have taken over University Stadium. pic.twitter.com/t86kVvs4ir
— Alec Nolan (@AlecABC30) December 16, 2023
Although, that didn’t seem to be a factor in the game as the Bulldogs dominated from the start, keeping the Aggies to zero points in the first quarter.
Fresno State kicker Dylan Lynch was the first to put them on the board with a 32 yard field goal for a score of 3-0.
New Mexico State got the ball but was taken back by Fresno State when safety Dean Clark intercepted a pass from quarterback Diego Pavia. On this drive, quarterback Mikey Keene and receiver Josiah Freeman connected twice in a row, making a touchdown on the second.
Lynch followed it up with a kick for the extra point, giving the ‘Dogs an early 10-0 lead.
The Aggies were struggling to find their offensive rhythm as they failed to convert downs and were kept short by the Bulldogs’ defense.
New Mexico player Zach Haynes punted the ball back to receiver Erik Brooks but he dropped it. BJ Sculark recovered it, giving the ball back to New Mexico State.
This added to the Aggies momentum as they shortly got on the board with a field goal for a score of 10-3.
On the next drive, the Bulldogs effectively moved the ball down the field, which ended up in a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jaelen Gill and a point after by Lynch. This extended Fresno State’s lead to 17-3.
…probably want to watch out for @LevelleBailey6
📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/pp7ExVIL5w
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 17, 2023
The Aggies’ next drive struggled once again as Pavia scrambled to get the ball up. Bulldog Levelle Bailey caused back-to-back scrambles with the first causing Pavia to get out of bounds and the second as a sack for a loss of 7 yards.
Bailey finished the game with eight total tackles, including one sack and was named the defensive MVP after the game.
A Strong Fresno State defense forced New Mexico State to punt once again. Keene pushed the offense down to the 8-yard line, nearing another touchdown.
Yet, Keene threw a pass that was meant for Tim Grear Jr. into the hands of opponent Mehki Miller, losing the ball with 3:25 left in the first half.
The Aggies weren’t able to take advantage of that, ending the half without adding any more points. Fresno State’s back end did a great job mixing up the coverages, causing Pavia to hold on to the ball longer.
Fresno State started off the second half with the ball as New Mexico State kicked it off. Malik Sherrod was quick to make a statement as he put up 63 total yards during the drive.
Malik Sherrod is a DOG. @MalikSherrod | 📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/pxN5Gs3HG4
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 17, 2023
This allowed the ‘Dogs to get in kicking territory as he made a 25 yard field goal, 20-3.
The next Aggie drive started at 11:50 and ended at 4:28, holding onto the ball for over seven minutes.
Pavia then switched it up for the Aggies as he showcased his running skills on the field. Pavia totaled 27 rushing yards during this drive, topping it off with a touchdown of his own.
That cut the deficit by half as Fresno State led with 20 and New Mexico State followed with 10.
The ‘Dogs got the ball back but were unable to add anymore points to finish the third quarter with the same score.
Starting out the final quarter, the Bulldogs only took four snaps to score.
Do it yourself QB1 🙌@Mikey_Keene | 📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/kWv7Olt4mN
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 17, 2023
The first two were handoffs, one to Elijah Gilliam and the other to Sherrod. The third was a 16 yard pass to Tre Watson, putting the Bulldogs at the 5-yard line. Keene held onto the ball for the fourth snap, scrambling into the end zone for a touchdown.
Lynch added the after point, changing the board 27-10.
The Aggies were then once again held again by the Bulldog defense to only three snaps, causing another punt.
Fresno State moved down the field, allowing Lynch to kick a field goal from the 38-yard line, 30-10.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Bulldogs added even more points with a touchdown at the four minute mark.
This time Keene passed to the right side of the endzone towards Jalen Moss for 9 yards. Lynch added the field goal after, extending the Bulldog’s lead to 27 points; 37-10.
Keene finished the game with a career-high in passing yards with 380. He also went 31-for-39, completing three touchdown passes as he spread the field passing to seven different players. He was also named the offensive MVP.
Acting Head Coach Tim Skipper also won his first game as he filled in for Head Coach Jeff Tedford.
In the post game press conference Skipper shared that the game ball is going to Tedford.
For Tedford!! Fresno State acting head coach Tim Skipper snagged the game ball from the final snap: “This is going to him.” #FresnoState #GoDogs @BarkBoard pic.twitter.com/kOSx7vplvF
— Jackson Moore (@JacksonMoore247) December 17, 2023
A matchup between the Aggies and Fresno State will happen again next season, this time at Valley Children’s Stadium.