The Fresno State Bulldogs gave the Michigan Wolverines a run for their money on Saturday night at the Big House. Despite being the underdogs, Fresno State kept the game close, trailing by only six points with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, Michigan pulled away with a long touchdown drive and a pick-six thrown by Fresno State’s QB Mikey Keene.
The first drive of the game didn’t go well for Fresno State. Keene threw an interception on the third play, which Michigan quickly turned into a touchdown. However, the Fresno State defense stepped up their game after that, holding Michigan to only two yards per carry in the first half and forcing three punts and an interception.
The defense played exceptionally well, with Cam Lockridge and Sivi Nomura standing out. They made it clear that Fresno State’s defense will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
On the other hand, the offense struggled. Keene made some throws off his back foot, which caused passes to sail high and out of reach of the receivers. The running game couldn’t get going, which wasn’t surprising given Michigan’s strong defensive line.
Jalen Moss was the standout player on offense, catching six passes for 97 yards despite being matched up against All-American Will Johnson. Mac Dalena also played well, just barely missing out on a touchdown.
Going into halftime, Fresno State was down by only seven points, which was a testament to their defense. However, the offense needed to step up their game.
It took until the fourth quarter for Fresno State to put together a sustained drive. Keene led a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Raylen Sharpe. Fresno State was within one score, but Michigan answered with their own touchdown drive.
The game was sealed when Keene threw a pick-six to Will Johnson, who returned it for 86 yards.
So, what can Fresno State take away from this game? Firstly, their defense is looking strong. They held Michigan’s offense in check for most of the game, which is no easy feat. If they can maintain this level of play, they’ll be a problem for the rest of their schedule.
The offense, on the other hand, needs some work. Keene needs to avoid throwing from his back foot, and the running game needs to improve. However, it’s hard to gauge too much from this game, given that Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country.
Looking ahead, Fresno State has a favorable schedule, with games against Sacramento State and New Mexico State coming up. They should be favored in every game except maybe UNLV.
Coach Skipper seems ready to take on the challenge of leading Fresno State to a successful season. With a strong defense and an offense that’s still finding its footing, the Bulldogs could be looking at an 11-1 season and a potential G5 playoff spot.
Only time will tell, but for now, Fresno State fans have reason to be optimistic.
