The Red Wave entered Valley Children’s Stadium on Saturday, expecting to see quarterback E.J. Warner and the Bulldogs try to get back on track against the San Diego State Aztecs.
Instead of Warner, backup quarterback Carson Conklin shockingly trotted onto the field in the first quarter for the first start of his young Fresno State career. It wasn’t until after the game that Head Coach Matt Entz gave an explanation for the switch, who had initially started the season with Warner on a “short leash.”
“We had turned the ball over too many times [earlier this season], too early, too often,” Entz said. “And then at the same time, you know, trying to push a button, maybe get a little more leadership out of some people on offense.”
Despite the change in scenery, the Bulldogs couldn’t get anything going with the Sacramento State transfer in the 23-0 loss to the Aztecs.
Conklin completed just 48% of his 42 pass attempts for 182 passing yards and threw two interceptions. Whether it was issues with timing or accuracy, Conklin and the Bulldog receivers could not get on the same page.
The Bulldogs’ leading receiver on the season, Josiah Freeman, was targeted 10 times and could only come up with three receptions. Passes were often too far from the outstretched hands of Bulldog receivers.
In the five first-half drives, the Bulldogs punted the ball three times and turned it over twice, once an interception and the other a failed fourth-and-long attempt with a few seconds to go in the first half.
The Conklin experiment seemed to not work. Yet, he went the distance without question from Entz, who “felt good” with his decision.
The defense had another solid outing, giving up just 16 points to a strong Mountain West offense.
It was defensive linemen like Jahzon Jacks and Deijon Laffitte that kept the ‘Dogs in it. Jacks had a sack and tackle for loss, while Laffitte added half a sack, half a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Once again, the defense did its job and gave the team a chance. The offense just couldn’t seize the moment.
The Bulldogs can walk away from this game with confidence in their defense’s ability, which was coming off a game where they had given up 49 points to a bad Colorado State Rams team.
The issue remains on the offensive side of the ball with the ‘Dogs, who had two weeks to prepare for this game coming off a bye.
Conklin didn’t show enough to prove that he should be the full-time starter, but was given free rein of the offense for 60 minutes. The run game wasn’t there once again.
This game is a real head scratcher because the quarterback situation never seemed to be in doubt going into Homecoming.
If history repeats itself, the Red Wave won’t find out who their starting quarterback is until the 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Nov. 1, when the ‘Dogs take on the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium.
