Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'i
Bulldogs Play Hawai'i Tough
10/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 5, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) The Fresno State offense racked up a season-best 522 total yards thanks to career nights from running backs Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding. But the effort wasn't enough as Hawai'i defeated No. 21 Fresno State 32-29 in overtime in front of a crowd of 40,572 at Bulldog Stadium.
Miller carried the ball 20 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns, one being an 80-yard run while Harding had 157 yards and one touchdown. The loss drops the Bulldogs to 3-2 and 0-1 in WAC while Hawai'i improved to 2-3 and 1-1 in conference. Ben Jacobs led Fresno State defensively with 11 tackles and one sack.
Kevin Goessling had a 36-yard attempt blocked by Antwan Mahaley with 43 seconds to play in regulation for Fresno State (3-2, 0-1 WAC). Then on the first possession of overtime, Goessling missed from 40 yards out only to get another chance when Calvin Roberts was called for running into the kicker. Goessling, who also missed three kicks in a 13-10 loss to Wisconsin last month, was wide again from 35 yards, setting the stage for Kelly's winning kick.
The Warriors (2-3, 1-1) ran the ball three times before Kelly converted from 34 yards out to give Hawaii its first road win in 11 tries against a ranked team. Ryan Mouton returned a kick 90 yards for a score for Hawaii, which broke out to a 26-9 lead before sneaking out with the victory.
Tom Brandstater threw three interceptions and had one of Fresno State's three lost fumbles. The six turnovers were the most in a game for the Bulldogs since losing the ball six times at Ohio State on Sept. 2, 2000, and two more than Fresno State had committed in its four games combined.
Harding scored the tying touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs. But it wasn't enough to overcome the Warriors, whose only previous win had come against Weber State of the lower-division FCS.
Funaki, making his third career start, was 17-for-25 for 170 yards and the two scores, while also running for 79 yards. His 2-yard pass to Michael Washington after Brandstater's third interception early in the third quarter made it 26-9. Miller went 80 yards for a score on the next play from scrimmage to begin the comeback for Fresno State. Harding's 1-yard run midway through the fourth quarter tied the game.
Both teams had a chance to win it after that, but Dan Kelly had a 49-yard field goal attempt for Hawaii blocked by Andrew Jackson with 5:31 to play. Fresno State drove down into field goal range only to have Goessling's attempt blocked. The Warriors entered the game with the second worst turnover margin in the country, giving the ball away 17 times while taking it back just twice. They turned that statistic around against the Bulldogs, recording a plus-five margin in the game.
In fact, the only Hawaii turnover - a fumble by Washington in the third quarter - was immediately followed by a fumble by Miller that gave the Warriors the ball right back. Little went right in the first half for the Bulldogs after going 82 yards on their opening drive for a 24-yard field goal by Goessling. Ryan Mouton answered with his second career kickoff return touchdown and Fresno State then turned the ball over on its next three possessions, fumbling the kickoff, a snap from center and throwing an interception.
Hawaii, which turned the ball over six times last week in a loss to San Jose State, capitalized on the good fortune. The Warriors scored off each Fresno State miscue, getting a pair of field goals by Kelly and a 28-yard TD pass to Malcolm Lane to take a 19-3 lead.
The Bulldogs then found a sense of urgency, converting a pair of fourth-down conversions, including one in its own territory on the next drive to cut the lead to 19-9 on Miller's 7-yard run. Miller was stopped on a run for the 2-point conversion.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State football team plays it annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 11 as they host Idaho at 7 p.m. Fresno State Athletics along with Fresno State Department of Management, Community Food Bank and Sierra Pacific Orthopedic and Spine Center have teamed up for the second annual food drive. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the game. Collection barrels will be located in parking lots and outside each stadium entrance. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
Fresno State vs. Hawaii
Bulldog Stadium
Postgame Notes and Quotes
Oct. 4, 2008
Run Game
The Bulldogs ran for a season high of 318 yards all coming from two Bulldog backs who each rushed for more than 150 yards. Juniors Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding both had their best nights as Bulldogs. Miller averaged 8.1 yards per carry and Harding 6.8.
Tough to Take Turnovers
Fresno State's four first half turnovers doubled the most the Dogs had in any game this season. The Warriors capitalized with two field goals and one touchdown from the turnovers and took a 19-3 lead early in the second quarter. Tom Brandstater had two interceptions in the half, doubling his season total entering the game. All of his first four interceptions have come off passes that were tipped and then intercepted. On Fresno State's first possession of the second half, the Dogs committed their fifth turnover of the game that UH converted for a touchdown. Fresno State only took one turnover in the game when Michael Stuart recovered a Warrior fumble. On the next play, the Dogs turned it back to Hawaii for their sixth of the game.
Bearing Down
Senior tight end Bear Pascoe had another big game for Fresno State, leading the team with four receptions for 60 yards with a long of 39 yards. He leads the Dogs with 20 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Miller's Mark
With an 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter Lonyae Miller had the eighth-longest rush from scrimmage in Bulldog history. That run established his best game as a Bulldog. Miller finished with 20 rushes for 161 yards and averaged 8.1 yards per carry.
Another Big Play for Seyi
With a 43-yard reception in the third quarter, Seyi Ajirotutu continues to provide big plays for the Dogs this season. It was his fourth reception of the season over 30 yards. He has receptions of 77, 47 and 31 yards. He is averaging 21.1 yards per reception this season and came in the game ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA at nearly 20 yards per catch. He finished with two receptions for 65 yards and would have likely had a third big play, but was fouled on a pass interference call late in the game.
Overtime at Bulldog Stadium
Tonight's game was the first overtime game at Bulldog Stadium since October 23, 1999 when the Bulldogs defeated UTEP 24-23 in one overtime.
Noteworthy
Sophomore Nick Bates and true freshman Shawn Plummer each made their first career starts at linebacker ... the Dogs played the game without starting players Ryan Mathews and Marlon Moore, both out with injuries. Mathews ranked 10th in the NCAA in rushing yards and Moore in the top 15 in the NCAA in punt returns ... Fresno State scored a field goal on its first drive of the game, the first time this season the Dogs have scored on their opening drive this season ... Despite trailing by 10 points in the first half, the Dogs had 229 total yards in the half, 62 more yards than the Warriors had ... Michael Stuart's third-quarter fumble recovery was the first of his career ... Kyle Knox had a third quarter sack, his second of the season to lead the team ... the Dogs had a season high 318 rushing yards in the game.
Quotes
Fresno State Head Coach Pat Hill
"This is as tough a loss as I've had since I've been here. I've never been around a game with that many turnovers. Give Hawaii credit. They capitalized when they had. It was uncharacteristic of us to turn it over that much. We had two backs with over 150 yards and over 500 yards of total offense. I can't explain the turnovers. That's football."
"We still have our goals in front of us a lot of games to play. We have our backs against the wall to win the WAC for sure. I know our guys are up to the challenge."
"This wasn't a loss where we lacked effort. We had plenty of effort out there tonight. We just didn't take care of the ball and didn't take care of the opportunities when we had them."
Fresno State Running Back Lonyae Miller
"We were playing from behind the whole game. It wears on the offense. We had turnovers and penalties that make it that much tougher. When we get a chance to take the lead you have to take advantage of every opportunity. "
On next week's game with Idaho
"We just have to play every game like we are 0-0. We are going to have to put this game behind us and not feel sorry for ourselves. We have to treat Idaho like we would every other opponent. On homecoming we have to come in here and have a great game and execute on offense and defense."
On the Turnovers
"We executed and we were crisp in practice. It was a real sloppy night for us. We have a lot to do to polish up our mistakes."
On His 80 Yard Run
"It was a combination of things. Our receivers were blocking down field and I just made my reads. I was using what God gave me. Our offensive line opened up the holes. I just get the ball and make it happen. "
