The Fresno State football team opened its season with a road game loss to the University of Michigan Wolverines.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, the defending national champions outscored the Bulldogs 30-10 in The Big House stadium.
The Bulldogs stayed in it for most of the game against the ninth-ranked team in the country.
Until late in the fourth quarter, the defense for the ‘Dogs made it a competitive game. But costly mistakes on offense, accompanied by a strong Wolverine run game, proved costly for any chance at a comeback.
The problems on offense started early as quarterback Mikey Keene was intercepted on the third play of the ‘Dogs’ opening drive.
Defensive back Zeke Berry intercepted Keene off of a tipped pass, giving Michigan great field position at the Fresno State 31-yard line.
Michigan’s opening drive saw a mixture of quarterbacks with both starter Davis Warren as well as backup, Alex Orji. The drive ended with Orji throwing a pass to running back Donovan Edwards for the 3-yard touchdown.
The next two drives for the Bulldog offense saw just one first down altogether.
With around four minutes to go in the first quarter, with a solid punt return the Wolverines set their offense up at the Bulldog 43-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Warren took a deep shot for the end zone, but Bulldog defensive back Cam Lockridge intercepted it.
But much like the Bulldogs’ other drives in the opening quarter, the offense could not come away with points off of the turnover.
The first quarter ended with Fresno State holding Michigan to just 7 points.
The first score for the ‘Dogs came in the second quarter as kicker Dylan Lynch was able to capitalize a successful drive with a 41-yard field goal.
Michigan answered back with points of its own on the ensuing drive. During their seven-minute-long drive, the Wolverines saw success in the run game, utilizing running back Kalel Mullings as well as in the passing game through tight end Colston Loveland.
Loveland led the Wolverines with eight catches for 87 receiving yards.
The drive ended with a Dominic Zvada 45-yard field goal.
Despite having all three timeouts, Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper chose not to use them, heading into halftime down 10-3.
The first half saw the Bulldog offense struggle to get in rhythm. The pass rush of Michigan saw Keene pressured constantly, sacking him three times, while also not allowing any gaps within the defensive line for a run game.
Michigan’s opening drive of the second half ended in 3-points. The Bulldog defense did well in stalling a Wolverine drive that saw multiple catches from Loveland.
Despite a holding penalty moving the Michigan offense back, on fourth down Zvada was able to nail a 53-yard field goal giving Michigan a two-score lead.
The third quarter ended with Michigan leading 13-3.
Michigan started the fourth quarter with yet another long field goal. This time Zvada was able to make a 55 yarder, remaining perfect on the day, giving Michigan a 16-3 lead.
Throughout this game, the Bulldog defense came up with stops keeping Michigan out of the end zone.
Keene and the offense could not sustain much of a drive in the second half until their first possession of the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs attacked through the air as they moved the ball down the field. On second down, Keene completed a pass to wide receiver Jalen Moss for a gain of 28 yards.
The two following plays saw Keene connect with wide receivers Mac Dalena and Nathan Acevedo for 16 and 15 yards apiece, putting the Bulldogs in the red zone.
The first touchdown for the ‘Dogs came with ten minutes left in the game. Keene found transfer receiver Raylen Sharpe on a 16-yard pass. Sharpe got by his defender after the catch and found the end zone.
The score gave the Bulldogs new life as they were down just 16-10 with plenty of time in the game.
The comeback was made more difficult as Michigan answered back with a 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown of its own.
Michigan relied heavily on Mullings who got past the Bulldog defensive line several times.
After marching all the way down to the Fresno State 18-yard line, Warren was able to find Loveland for the passing touchdown. The extra point made the game 23-10.
The Bulldogs next drive was aided by multiple penalties on the Wolverines.
With just under six minutes to go in the game, Keene was picked off by safety Makari Paige.
But a roughing the passer call against Michigan gave the ball right back to Keene and Fresno State was on its own 40-yard line.
Another penalty came against Michigan on a catch made by Acevedo where he was brought down by his facemask.
The next play saw a completion to tight end Kamron Beachem that put the ‘Dogs on the Wolverine’s 10-yard line with four minutes to go.
With the Bulldogs within striking distance, the Wolverine’s defense stepped up when it mattered the most.
Keene threw a screen pass intended for Moss but was intercepted by cornerback Will Johnson and taken 86 yards to the end zone ending any chance at a comeback.
The Wolverines defeated the Bulldogs 30-10.
The Fresno State football team will host its home opener against Sacramento State next Saturday, Sept. 7 at Valley Children’s Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
