The Fresno State football team defeated the Miami of Ohio RedHawks 18-3 in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl on Dec. 27.
The win caps off a 9-win season for first-year Head Coach Matt Entz.
Quarterback E.J. Warner and the Bulldogs’ offense had one of their cleanest games of the season.
Despite struggling in the red zone, scoring just one touchdown in their six trips into prime scoring position, kicker Dylan Lynch cashed in on four field goals. It was a rebound performance from his 2024 bowl game performance, where he missed all three of his field goal attempts.
After giving up a nine-play, 45-yard drive to the RedHawks on their opening possession, the Bulldogs’ defense shut down the RedHawks’ offense for the rest of the game. The RedHawks never got into the red zone and had just 145 yards of total offense after their field goal. The ‘Dogs also held the RedHawks to just 77 yards of total offense in the second half.
The ‘Dogs forced two turnovers in the game. Defensive back Jakari Embry hauled in a deep pass from RedHawks quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, and linebacker Jadon Pearson forced a fumble late in the second quarter.
Both turnovers came at critical moments in the game. Embry’s interception — his second of the season — came on the first play of the RedHawks’ second drive. The Bulldogs had just punted after going three-and-out and had zero net yards.
Gotkowski looked for a chunk play against the Bulldogs, but Embry picked him off with an over-the-shoulder grab. While the Bulldogs did not secure points off the turnover, the offense was able to get a spark going that they would ride throughout the victory.
Pearson’s forced fumble came with just 1:33 to go in the first half. The RedHawks got down to the Bulldogs’ 25-yard line before Pearson punched the ball loose on a rush attempt. The ‘Dogs did cash in on this turnover, with wide receiver Josiah Freeman taking a 47-yard catch-and-run to set up Lynch for his third field goal of the quarter.
Freeman had two big catch-and-run plays. Along with the 47-yard play, Freeman took a shallow crosser 51 yards down the field to get the Bulldogs into field goal range. In his final game as a Bulldog, he set a career high in yards receiving with 143.
The Bulldogs will hit the offseason with a bowl victory and transition to the Pac-12 in 2026.
