The Fresno State football team extended its win streak to five games with a 20-17 victory over the University of Nevada, Reno, on Saturday night.
While the Bulldogs’ offense got shut out in the second half, it was the defense that helped keep it close from the visiting Wolf Pack.
The ‘Dogs forced the Wolf Pack to use three different quarterbacks. The starting quarterback, Chubba Purdy, had his night cut early after throwing only four passes, with two of them being intercepted.
Fifth-year senior defensive back Camryn Bracha had his first interception in over a year. During the first quarter, Purdy took a deep shot to the end zone when Bracha leapt and caught the pass.
Bracha reflected on his career as his days as a Bulldog are coming closer to an end.
“You know, these memories, you know, we’re going to talk about for a really long time,” Bracha said. “And these are guys in that locker room that are going to be in my life for a very long time.”
Bracha was one of three Bulldogs with an interception. Linebacker K’Vion Thunderbird and defensive back Simeon Harris both picked off a Nevada quarterback.
While Bracha’s was out in space, both Thunderbird and Harris’ came from deflected passes by Bulldog pass rushers, who found a way to pressure the Nevada backfield, no matter who was in at quarterback.
“Yeah, they played their tails off tonight, and for them to close things up in the run game,” Bracha said. “We knew if we could make them pass, that the game was in our favor.”
Defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks led all Bulldog linemen with six total tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Defensive lineman Finn Claypool had two tackles, including being a part of a tackle for loss. Defensive lineman Deion Laffitte had three tackles and a forced fumble, which was recovered by fellow lineman Martin Owusu.
The ‘Dogs limited the Wolf Pack to just 3.8 yards per carry while keeping them well under their 339 average yards per game as an offense. On Saturday, the Wolf Pack totaled just 246 yards.
“Any good team in the NFL, in college, has great pass rushers up front that do a great job playing both the pass and the run,” Bracha said.
When it mattered most, the Bulldog offense came together to ice the game and stymie any opportunity for Nevada to complete a comeback.
The Bulldogs started, what ended up being the final drive of the game, from their own 16-yard line with just under nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
The ‘Dogs marched down the field and drained the clock as quarterback E.J. Warner connected with different pass catchers and also utilized his legs.
“I think they just knew that they could put it away, that they could end it,” said Head Coach Matt Entz.
After Nevada called its final timeout with over three and a half minutes to go, running back Brandon Ramirez came in to ice the game.
Ramirez took a handoff on four straight plays, driving the ‘Dogs inside the Nevada 10-yard line. He capped it off with an 18-yard run down the sideline and finished it off by staying in bounds, taking Nevada defenders and more clock with him.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 on the season to remain perfect in conference play and at Valley Children’s Stadium.
The ‘Dogs will look to ride the win streak on a short week as they hit the road to take on the Colorado State Rams on Friday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Canvas Stadium.