Fresno State vs. Rice - Postgame Notes

Nov. 6, 2004

Recap | Final Stats

Adam Jennings' first quarter touchdown was his first TD reception of the season.

One week after recovering a fumble against SMU, Garrett McIntyre caused a fumble on Rice's first drive, which was recovered by Kyle Goodman.

Kyle Goodman received his first career start, and on Rice's first series of the game, he picked up his first career fumble recovery.

Joe Fernandez's first quarter TD reception was his fourth of the year and second in two weeks. It was a 51-yard completion, the longest pass play to a wide receiver this season and the second-longest play by Fresno State of 2004.

Josh Sherley's punt block in the first quarter was the Bulldogs' fourth block of the season and second in as many weeks. For Sherley, is was the first block of his career.

The block was also the 54th since Pat Hill became Fresno State's head coach in 1997, which averages out to about one every other game.

Wendell Mathis' first quarter TD was his fifth of the year and gave the Bulldogs a 21-0 lead. It marked the first time Fresno State scored 21 points in a first quarter this season.

The Bulldogs had scored a touchdown on eight consecutive first half drives until being stopped on their fourth drive this afternoon against Rice. Last week, Fresno State went 5-for-5 on first half drives in a 42-0 win over SMU. However, the Bulldogs did score on their final drive of the half, meaning they've now posted a TD on nine of their last 10 first half drives.

Adam Jennings entered today's game with just one career touchdown reception. But in the first half, he recorded two, bringing his career total up to three.

Marcus McCauley's third quarter interception was his second of the year. His return went 63 yards to the Rice 1-yard line. His other INT of 2004 came against Portland State, and he returned that for a touchdown.

On the year, Fresno State has recorded 382 return yards on its 13 interceptions, an average of 32.2 yards per return.

For Richard Marshall's interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter, there are notes galore:

- It is his third INT return for a TD in his career (2003 at Tennessee, 2004 at Washington and at Rice).
- It is the Bulldogs' fourth interception return for a touchdown on the year.
- Marshall's career interception return average is 47.5, which is by far the highest number in program history.
- In his career, Marshall has six interceptions and has racked up 285 return yards.
- Marshall also set a new record for career interceptions returned for touchdowns (with three). He was tied with Efrain Guizar, Jack Erdman, Rod Webster and Dee Meza.
- His two INTs for TDs are tied with Guizar, Meza and Erdman for most in a single season.

Clifton Smith's punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter was Fresno State's first since Bernard Berrian took one back against Boise State last year (Nov. 16, 2003). It was Smith's first career punt return and the first punt return by any Bulldog other than Adam Jennings.

Fresno State's offensive output was its highest point total since Dec. 1, 2001, when the Bulldogs defeated Utah State 70-21.

Today's win runs the Bulldogs' all-time record against Rice to 6-0. With the Owls departing the league after the year, this is the last time the two teams will meet as members of the WAC.

Paul Pinegar's numbers the last two games - 26-of-38, 374 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT.

With nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, Fresno State's turnover margin the past two games stood at +8, with no turnovers. Last week's win over SMU was the first time in 2004 the Bulldogs went a full game without a turnover.

Fresno State's win was its fifth in a row in the state of Texas. The Bulldogs are 7-11-1 all-time in the Lone Star State, the last loss coming in 2000 to TCU.

Fresno State Athletics

Fresno State vs. Rice - Postgame Notes

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