It’s often said that football is the ultimate team sport. On Saturday night, the Bulldogs seemed to have played with that quote in mind.
The Fresno State football team ran away with a 56-7 victory over Southern University at Valley Children’s Stadium.
The win marked the ‘Dogs third straight victory and 20th-straight win over a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent. More importantly, the win showed just how deep this roster is.
“So it’s good that we were able to play well early and get, I think we played, I bet we played over 80 [or] 85 people,” said Head Coach Matt Entz.
Quarterback E.J. Warner was subbed out after halftime, having thrown for 240 yards and four passing touchdowns. The second-string Carson Conklin came in and matched Warner’s efficiency with an 83% completion percentage.
Both quarterbacks combined to find 10 different receivers on the night, which included freshman wide receiver Harold Duvall, who scored his first receiving touchdown of his young Bulldog career.
The running back room spread the rock yet again with over 40 carries on the night. Bryson Donelson led with 90 rushing yards. Donelson, Elijah Gilliam, Johnathan Arceneaux and Rayshon Luke all got in the end zone at least once.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a team that runs the ball 40 times,” Luke said. “So when that does happen, of course, you have to take full advantage of it.”
While the offense spread the rock effectively, backed by a strong offensive line, it was the defense, particularly the defensive line, that took the game over.
Whether it was fifth-year senior defensive lineman Korey Foreman or sophomore defensive lineman Logan Goodspeed, there were constant defenders in the Jaguar backfield.
Defensive linemen Deijon Laffitte, who missed last game against Oregon State, led the way with six total tackles, including one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
“Having DJ back was really good,” Entz said. “DJ’s got a little twitch to him at three technique.”
DJ wasn’t the only ‘Dog wreaking havoc on the Southern University quarterback.
Foreman had three tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss. He made sure to let the crowd know after he made a play.
“This game, it brings the best emotions out of you, and it causes you to have to lock in,” Foreman said.
Despite his personal success, Foreman made sure to praise the whole system around him.
“These coaches are great, staff, the equipment [staff], everybody, everybody here is all one,” Foreman said. “So we wouldn’t be able to do anything without everybody.”
With the ‘Dogs up 35-7 at the half, the lead offered many new faces to get a chance to show their skills to the Red Wave.
“I love seeing Chala [sophomore defensive lineman Isiah Chala Jr.], and Goodspeed and Mordecai Hines and some of our really young guys out there,” Entz said. “I mean, you know, they were walking on air.”
No matter who was in the trenches, each lineman made the most of their snaps.
“You gotta play mean, you got to play grimy and gritty,” Foreman said. “And I feel like we [were] out there today doing all exactly that.”
On top of Foreman and Laffitte, Martin Owusu, Merhauti Xepera and Finn Claypool added to the six tackles for loss the Bulldogs had.
Saturday’s game marked a true team win and showed how many Bulldogs can make an impact on the field.
“We’re creating depth in nights like this,” Entz said. “You know, the reps for Carson [Conklin], the reps for all of our linemen that came in defensively.”
The Bulldogs will look to build on this team victory as they head on the road to take on the University of Hawaii at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu on Sept. 20, with kickoff set for 9 p.m.
