LAWRENCE, Kansas - Fresno State fell 31-7 in its season opener at Kansas on Saturday, surrendering a Week 0 loss in Matt Entz' first game as head coach.
After scoring on its first possession, the Bulldogs offense fell stagnant. Fresno State finished with 216 yards of total offense, its fewest since its 176 vs Hawai'i last season. Senior quarterback E.J. Warner saw his Bulldog debut spoiled, going 18-of-29 for 179 yards and no touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. Warner was sacked three times and faced four quarterback hurries from Kansas.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by senior linebacker Jadon Pearson who totaled 12 tackles, including one for a loss. The Bulldogs held Kansas' offensive attack under control in the second half, surrendering only one touchdown in the half after a fumble.
The Week 0 matchup saw 25 Fresno State players play in their first game in a Bulldog uniform. On both sides of the ball combined, 10 players earned their first starts as Bulldogs. Punter Nick Verdugo also saw his first career game action as the Bulldogs' primary punter.
How it happened
Kansas scored on its opening possession, a drive that saw quarterback Jalon Daniels pick up a big third down run for 23 yards to put the Jayhawks into Bulldog territory. A 21-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Cam Pickett would count for the first score of the game.
Fresno State didn't take long to even the score. Warner hit Josiah Freeman for a small gain on the first play. Behind at 3rd-and-6, Warner escaped a near sack and flipped the ball forward to Bryson Donelson who gained 39 yards on the play to set the Bulldogs up at the KU32. An 8-yard gain from Brock Lium then saw Brandon Ramirez add 21 yards on the ground in his next two rush attempts. From three yards out, Elijah Gilliam punched it in to tie the game at seven with 7:25 left in the first quarter.
On its next drive, Kansas set itself back with a couple of penalties but a big 4th-and-1 conversion at the Bulldogs' 19 yard line turned into a touchdown for the Jayhawks to go up 14-7.
On third down, Warner hit Ezekiel Avit for a 17-yard pickup to convert. Going into the quarter break, Fresno State trailed by one score and was unable to continue the positive momentum out of the break.
Finn Claypool came up with a difference-making third-down sack, snatching Daniels for a loss of seven yards to force their first punt of the game. On the return, Jordan Malau'ulu received pressure and muffed the return, but Simeon Harris grabbed possession at the Fresno State 22 yard line.
Kansas took a two-score lead with a five-play scoring drive that saw a 13-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Pickett, again. Kansas led 21-7 with 7:30 left before halftime.
After a 21-yard reception by Josiah Freeman on second down, Fresno State approached Kansas territory. On 3rd-and-7, Warner was pressured to throw downfield to Richie Anderson. The pass was picked off by Devin Dye at the Kansas 33. Kansas would turn the interception into points with a 47-yard field goal. Kansas led 24-7 with 56 seconds left in the half.
With limited time, and on 3rd-and-8, Warner found Avit for a 13 yard gain. Jordan Brown caught a 7-yard pass and stopped the clock with two seconds left before halftime. Dylan Lynch came out for a 55-yard attempt, but the kick fell short. The Bulldogs trailed 24-7 going into halftime.
Receiving the ball out of halftime, Fresno State made it down to the Kansas 33-yard line before a strip sack by the Jayhawk's Bangally Kamara on Warner. Kansas recovered the fumble at their own 47 yard line to erase the Bulldogs' scoring chances on the opening drive. It took the Jayhawks just five plays to find the endzone, and extend their lead to 31-7 with 7:47 left in the third quarter.
The tough breaks for the Bulldog offense continued into its next drive as Warner's pass was picked off, off the deflection by Freeman's hands. KU took over at the Fresno State 49-yard line, keeping Fresno State off the board for another drive. Fresno State was able to hold Kansas on its fourth down attempt, bringing out the offense at the Fresno State 16 yard line. However, the Bulldogs would go three-and-out to bring out the punt team.
From that point on, the Bulldogs' defense kept Kansas in check but the Jayhawk defense was able to do the same to the Bulldogs' offense. No points were scored by either team in the fourth quarter as Fresno State fell 31-7.
Up Next
Fresno State hosts Georgia Southern for its home opener on Sept. 30. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT and tickets are available here.