'Dogs earn Coach Tedford 100th career victory in 48-3 rout of UNLV

Saturday, November 3

Las Vegas, NV

7:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

8-1 , 5-0

UNLV

2-7 , 0-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Fresno State

UNLV

'Dogs earn Coach Tedford 100th career victory in 48-3 rout of UNLV

11/3/2018 10:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score Fresno State-UNLV Postgame Notes Photo Galley (Mark Newman)HC Jeff Tedford postgame interview LB George Helmuth postgame interview LB James Bailey postgame interview OL Logan Hughes postgame interview Highlights Fresno State-UNLV Postgame Quotes

By: Fresno State Athletic Communications

LAS VEGAS – No. 20/23 Fresno State earned its seventh consecutive win on Saturday night with a 48-3 road win over UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Bulldogs (8-1, 5-0 MW) totaled 466 yards of offense, passing for 274 yards and rushing for 192 while holding UNLV (2-6, 0-5 MW) to one field goal, marking the third time this season Fresno State held a team out of the end zone.

It was a team effort against UNLV as Fresno State's six touchdowns were scored by six different Bulldogs, four rushing and two passing.

Senior quarterback Marcus McMaryion had his sixth straight game with multiple touchdown passes throwing for two to two different receivers while finishing the game 26-of-35 for 274 yards. On the ground, nine different Bulldogs recorded rushes with Ronnie Rivers leading that category with 12 (for 33 yards and one touchdown). Saevion Johnson led the team in rushing yards with 47 yards on three carries, including a long of 37 yards to score the Bulldogs final touchdown of the game.

Defensively the Bulldogs were led by Juju Hughes who finished with a team-high 11 tackles, six solo. The 'Dogs grabbed their 15th interception of the season as junior defensive back Jaron Bryant recorded his first interception of the season. The Bulldog defense has now forced 21 turnovers on the season.

How It Happened
After a pair of first downs by UNLV to open the game, Fresno State's defense held tough, forcing UNLV into a punt. On that punt, Mykal Walker got through the line and partially blocked the punt to set back the kick for a net of just 15 yards to give the Bulldogs field position at the Rebels' 45-yard line for their first offensive drive. The 'Dogs moved the ball 45 yards in six plays as McMaryion hit Jamire Jordan on a slant across the middle for a 12-yard touchdown to put Fresno State in front 7-0 with 10:39 left in the first quarter.

Looking to get on the board midway through the quarter, Evan Pantels lined up for a 46-yard field goal attempt but missed wide to the right. The 'Dogs capitalized, marching nine plays down the field to the Rebels' two-yard line as time expired in the first quarter. Ronnie Rivers scored on a two-yard rush to the right side on the first play of the second frame to increase Fresno State's lead to 14-0.

With three minutes remaining before halftime, Blake Cusick pinned UNLV at its own 8-yard line. Fresno State held the Rebels to a three-and-out and set the 'Dogs up at their own 42-yard line. The Bulldogs used the short field to their advantage, picking up three points with an Asa Fuller 35-yard field goal as they took a 17-0 lead into the half.

Receiving the ball out of the break, Fresno State scored on its first drive of the second half for the third consecutive game as McMaryion led the 'Dogs 65 yards down the field before connecting with Kyle Riddering for a nine-yard touchdown. It was Riddering's fifth catch and third touchdown of the season.

Seven plays into the Rebels' ensuing drive, Jaron Bryant grabbed his first pick of the season, returning it 39 yards to the UNLV five-yard line. It took just one play for the Bulldogs to push their lead to 31-0 with 8:22 left in the third quarter as Josh Hokit rushed to the left side and snuck inside the pylon.

After holding UNLV to its fourth three-and-out of the game, Fresno State moved the ball to the Rebel 29-yard line on its next possession. Asa Fuller knocked in his second field goal of the game, a season-long 47 yards to extend the lead to 34-0 with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Forcing UNLV to punt on its next drive, Fresno State did just what it did to end the third, drive the ball down into the red zone. On the first play from scrimmage to start the fourth quarter, Derrion Grim scored his first-career rushing touchdown, running into the end zone from 10 yards out to give the Bulldogs a 41-0 advantage.

With 10:13, UNLV ended the Bulldogs' bid for a shutout as Pantels hit a 28-yard field goal.

Starting with the ball at their own 45-yard line, it took just four plays for the Bulldogs to find the end zone one more time. After Saevion Johnson broke loose for a 37-yard run, the sophomore ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge to put Fresno State on top 48-3.

Notables

Head Coach Jeff Tedford earned his 100th career victory on Saturday night. Tedford is 18-5 as Fresno State's head coach.
Fresno State remains undefeated in Mountain West road games under Tedford. moving to 7-0.
The Bulldogs held the Rebels to their fewest points this season and the first game without a touchdown scored this season.
Fresno State earned its first road win at UNLV since joining the conference. It was the first win in Las Vegas in their third try since a win in 1996 when they shared affiliation in the WAC.
Fresno State has won seven-straight games, their longest streak since 2013 (10), and have won 17 of its last 20 games.
Fresno State did not allow a touchdown in a game for the third time this season.
Fresno State is allowing 7.2 points per game in Mountain West games.
Fresno owns the nation's lead in limiting opponents under 30 points in consecutive games (20).
KeeSean Johnson continued his nation's best active streak of most consecutive games with at least one reception to 45 consecutive games.
Fresno State improves to 5-0 in league play for the second time as a member of the Mountain West (joined conference in 2012). Fresno State started the 2013 season 7-0 in league play.

Quotables
Tedford on Saturday's win...
"Really proud of our staff and our team. Last year [UNLV] came to our place and they played well and we didn't, and we needed to make that right this year, and I thought our guys had a good week of preparation and came out tonight really focused."

Tedford on how emotions were managed this week...
"I wanted the emotional aspect to take over. I wanted to make sure that we knew what that was about. There was a lot of op-ed in our meeting last night about making it right and believe in ourselves and proving what Bulldog football is about and I'm really happy the way the guys focused this week."

Tedford on playing without Jeff Allison...
"I thought they did a good job. [Arron] Mosby came in at one of the linebacker positions and we shifted George in [to middle linebacker] and moved over James Bailey. It was a team effort, the defense rallied, played really well. That was an explosive group with a lot of speed and they flew around and did a nice job."

Tedford on going back to Boise...
"They're a great program and a great team. It's going to be a struggle. It's going to be a short week and so we're going to have to get back, get healthy, and get into the game plan right away going on the road on a short week. Our guys know what that is all about. We know what we're up against with them, they're a class team and we're going to have to play our best."

Up Next
Fresno State will remain on the road next week as they head to Boise State for a Friday night game (Nov. 9) on the blue turf. Kickoff is slated for 7:15 p.m. PT and broadcast on ESPN2.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics