FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Fresno State football team suffered its first conference loss of the season, falling 49-21 at Colorado State on Friday night. The loss snapped the Bulldogs' five game winning streak.
The Bulldogs move to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Mountain West play.
How it happened
Fresno State fell flat on its opening drive after winning the coin toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff. Colorado State took just three plays to get loose for a 73-yard touchdown run to take an early lead. After the Bulldogs picked up a big third down completion from E.J. Warner to Harold Duvall for a 23 yard pickup, Warner saw his next pass attempt intercepted and returned 27 yards.
The Rams capitalized on the turnover, scoring again to take a 14-0 lead with 5:13 left in the first quarter. Colorado State took a 21-0 lead to start the second quarter.
Fresno State was able to piece together its first scoring drive of the game, kickstarted by a 24-yard kickoff return by Rayshon Luke. Four consecutive pass completions by Warner sealed the deal as he found Josiah Freeman for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 11:42 left in the opening half.
Colorado State kept its foot on the gas, putting together an 11-play scoring drive to take a 28-7 lead. On Fresno State's next drive, Warner attempted to run for the first down but the ball was punched out and picked up by Colorado State's Paul Tangelo who returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. Colorado State led 35-7 with 5:58 left in the first half.
The Bulldogs pieced an 11-play scoring drive together as Warner found Freeman for a 26-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs trailed 35-14 at halftime.
The Bulldog defense forced its first three-and-out of the game on the opening drive of the second half with a third down stop by Finn Claypool. The offense still couldn't find its groove, but defense locked in for another three-and-out to bring Warner and the offense back out. After a kick catch interference by Colorado State, the Bulldogs took over at their own 27 yard line.
On third-and-6, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Colorado State gave the Bulldogs a first down at midfield. Luke got away for a 28 yard gain to the 1-yard line but a holding penalty brought the ball back. Two plays later, Warner hit Luke in the end zone from 23 yards out. The Bulldogs attempted a two-point conversion, but saw the play called back for a facemask penalty. Dylan Lynch converted on the PAT attempt to make it a 35-21 game in favor of Colorado State with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Fresno State's defense came up with its third-straight three-and-out of the second half, with momentum beginning to swing for the Bulldogs. Fresno State made it down to the CSU 19-yard line, but surrendered a turnover on downs after a failed fourth-and-6 attempt.
Merhauti Xepera came up with a big third down stop, closing out the Bulldog's fourth consecutive three-and-out to end the third quarter. Fresno State's offense took over and got to the CSU33 yard line after a 33-yard completion from Warner to Jahlil McClain, but were not able to find the endzone as a fourth down pass attempt sailed far. Colorado State's offense came back out at its own 39-yard line. The Rams took just five plays to increase the lead to 42-21 with 9:15 remaining in the game.
Starting at their own 25 yard line, the Bulldogs moved 11 yards before a big 24-yard pickup from a Warner pass to Richie Anderson III. The Bulldogs faced a fourth-and-13 situation, and advanced for a first down after a Colorado State pass interference call. On another fourth down situation just plays later, Warner hit McClain to convert and set the Bulldogs up at the CSU16. Warner gained six yards, but saw those yards erased on the next play as another Bulldog false start put them back. Warner attempted to find Freeman in the end zone but the Ram defense was all over it. On his next attempt to the end zone, Warner was picked off for a touchback.
After a Colorado State false start, the Bulldog defense was off the field quickly, forcing a punt with 2:33 left in the game. Three plays into the next drive, Warner was intercepted again. Colorado State added another to the tally two plays later to make it 49-21 at the final whistle.
Up Next
Fresno State has its second bye of the season this coming week, before hosting San Diego State on Oct. 25 for homecoming. Kickoff time and TV designation is still to be determined.