The Fresno State Bulldogs improved to 2-1 on the season with a convincing 48-0 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday night.
It was a rematch of sorts as the two teams played each other in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl when the Bulldogs won 37-10 to finish last season on Dec. 16, 2023. Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper now has two wins in his young coaching career against the Aggies.
The Bulldogs defense established momentum early, limiting the Aggies to just 16 yards and a stop on their first drive.
The Bulldogs offense responded instantly as quarterback Mikey Keene connected with wide receiver Mac Dalena for a 69-yard touchdown pass on just the second play of the drive, giving the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead, one they would not relinquish.
The defense forced a quick, three-and-out, giving the ball back to the Bulldog offense. Running back Elijah Gilliam rushed the ball for 10 yards before fumbling it; teammate Raylen Sharpe picked it up however and ran it 56 yards to put the ‘Dogs near the goal line. Gilliam would hit paydirt, scoring the touchdown on a 4-yard run, putting Fresno State up 14-0 over the Aggies.
The Bulldogs would continue their good offensive fortunes on their next offensive drive. A huge catch from Sharpe set the Bulldogs in the Red Zone. Sharpe finished the night with 58 yards receiving on five catches. He was a dual threat, rushing for 78 yards as well.
Keene was turnover-free in week three, completing 12 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdown passes to Dalena.
A 49-yard run from running back Malik Sherrod in the second quarter set the tone in a big game for him. Sherrod finished the day with 113 yards on 15 carries, including a 7-yard touchdown run.
“I was running with a purpose tonight,” Sherrod said.
Fresno State went into halftime with a commanding 31-0 lead. They tacked on 17 more points in the second half to complete the team’s first shutout in 364 days.
“Last week I talked about being consistent for all four quarters – and tonight we did that,” Skipper said.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were dominant, limiting the Aggies to just 138 yards of total offense. Cornerback Cam Lockridge had two interceptions on the night, bringing him to 12 in his career (most in the FBS). He isn’t satisfied though.
“Where’s 13?” Lockridge said.
The ‘Dogs also had four sacks, including one from defensive lineman Korey Foreman who transferred from USC.
Foreman said that coming to Fresno State has helped get him back on track.
“It’s nitty gritty football, and so I really found appreciation for that,” Foreman said. “A piece of me back then, I would say, like the love of the game was kind of veering away.”
With the game in hand, the Bulldogs got some work in for both backup quarterbacks, Joshua Wood and Jayden Mandel as well as freshman running back Bryson Donelson.
Wood only completed one pass but managed to rush for a pair of touchdowns in the second half. Donnelson got 12 carries for 58 yards on the ground.
Fresno State opens Mountain West Conference play next Saturday, Sept. 21 in Albuquerque against the New Mexico Lobos. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.