Fresno State football won both its first conference and road game of the season, with a 38-21 victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday night at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Quarterback Mikey Keene completed 26 of his 33 passes for 226 yards against the Lobos’ defense.
After Fresno State went three-and-out on the first drive, the Bulldog defense came up big as cornerback Cam Lockridge poked a ball out, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks.
Keene then led the offense down the field in ten plays for 39 yards, all capped off with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Josiah Freeman. Fresno State opted for two, converted off a pass from quarterback Jayden Mandal to tight end Brock Lium.
Lobos quarterback Devon Dampier marched the ball down field for a long drive lasting over six minutes, but the Bulldog defense held them to a 25-yard field goal from kicker Luke Drzewiecki, making the score 8-3.
The Bulldogs made it 15-3 with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from tailback Bryson Donelson. The true freshman carried the ball eight times for 32 yards.
The ‘Dogs continued to plague the Lobos offensive momentum with an interception from cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton, ending a 14-play drive for New Mexico. It was one of two picks on the night for the defense.
The Bulldogs kept it going with a 36-yard field goal from kicker Dylan Lynch and a trick play in which Keene threw to wide receiver Raylen Sharpe, who then tossed it to the end zone for a 26-yard pass to tight end Kamron Beachem for a touchdown. Lynch kicked the extra point, making the score 25-3.
New Mexico managed to score late in the first half with some help from an offsides penalty from Hamilton in the red zone. Dampier took advantage on the very next play with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trace Bruckler. Drezewisck kicked the extra point, cutting the deficit to 25-10 heading into halftime.
Fresno State’s defense held the New Mexico off the board in their first drive of the second half. The Bulldogs used 14 plays to move down field and tacked on another field goal by Lynch from 42-yards out.
After a quiet third quarter from both sides, Drzewiecki made it a two-score game with a 32-yard field goal with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.
Several Lobos penalties helped the Bulldogs move the ball down the field the following drive. New Mexico finished with 17 total, costing them 128 yards.
Bulldogs running back Elijah Gilliam punched it in from the goal line, making it 35-13 with 7:08 remaining.
It proved to be the nail in the coffin as Fresno State routed them, winning 38-21.
Fresno State did hit a little bit of an injury bug. The Bulldogs were without starting running back Malik Sherrod, who was dealing with an undisclosed injury. Gilliam carried the ball 18 times in his place for a season-high 58 yards.
“We got some aches and bruises,” said Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper after the game. “It’s football. Five straight games we’re about to get into. If you didn’t have injuries, that would be the story.”
Safety Camryn Bracha also left the game in the second half, though he was able to walk off the field on his own.
The Bulldogs remain on the road next weekend as they travel to Allegiant Stadium to take on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kickoff begins at 12:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1 or 2.
