The Fresno State Football team is on the road for its final game of the regular season to take on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The (6-5) Bulldogs are coming off a senior night win over the Colorado State Rams in their final game at Valley Children’s Stadium this last Saturday.
In the win against the Rams, the ‘Dogs played well on both sides of the ball.
The offense moved the ball down the field with freshman running back Bryson Donelson leading the way with 150 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in his career night. Donelson was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week following his performance.
“He got his opportunity to get more carries, and he took advantage of that,” said Interim Head Coach Tim Skipper. “He did a good job, very productive.”
Unfortunately, Donelson was not able to finish the game as he was forced to exit in the second half with an injury. Donelson will be a game time decision heading into Saturday’s UCLA game.
As for the defense, they were able to stop the Rams from moving the ball downfield for most of the game. The Bulldogs limited Colorado State to just seven points through the first 30 minutes of the game.
This week, the team faces a UCLA team that can present challenges for the visiting Bulldogs.
“This team has very good players,” said Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle. “They’ve had probably the toughest schedule in the country, and they’re battle tested.”
The Bruins are led by quarterback Ethan Garbers. Garbers has been efficient this year with a near 65% completion percentage.
Garbers has quite a few playmakers to get the ball to. Whether it’s their tight end Moliki Matavao who leads the team in receiving yards or John Michael Sturdivant who is coming off a 117-yard performance against the University of Southern California, the Bruin offense can move the ball downfield.
“Number seven [Michael Sturdivant] the other night against [U]SC put on an all star performance,” Coyle said. “He made some unbelievable catches in the game.”
In their win against Rutgers, the Bruins had nearly 500 yards of offense. Garbers threw for 383 yards and four touchdowns.
But the Bruins have playmakers on the other side of the ball as well.
“They’ve got length and size and speed, really, in every position on the defense,” said Offensive Coordinator Pat McCann.
Linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo leads the team with 4.5 sacks on the year. Oladejo has been moved around the field all year, making plays wherever he’s lined up.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger leads the team in total tackles with 121 and is second on the team with 3 sacks.
Much like the ‘Dogs, the Bruins are led by a first-year head coach who used to play for the team.
“DeShaun is a good coach,” Skipper said. “He’s trying to get that Bruin spirit going with those guys and they’re playing hard for him.”
DeShaun Foster is a former standout running back at UCLA. He completed his career second in all-time touchdowns and third in the school’s all-time rushing yards list.
Skipper and Foster have faced each other before as players when the Bulldogs played the Bruins in 1999 and 2000.
“He was a very good player,” Skipper said. “He was fast, I mean a special, gifted player.”
Now the two get to meet as head coaches for their respective teams.
Fresno State has won its last four matchups against UCLA with the last dating back to 2021. There are multiple players from this year’s team who played in the 40-37 win three years ago, including Mac Dalena and Malachi Langley.
Korey Foreman also has experience against the Bruins, dating back to when he was at the University of Southern California. Back in 2022, Foreman intercepted the then UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson late in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Trojans.
Kickoff at the Rose Bowl is set for 12:30 p.m. with the Bruins being favored in the matchup.