Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, September 29
Fresno, CA
7:30 p.m. PT
Fresno State
49
vs
27
Toledo
Photo by: Keith Kountz
'Dogs ground Rockets, 49-27
9/29/2018 11:42:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. - Using a run of 42 unanswered points, Fresno State overcame an early 13-7 deficit to roll to a convincing 49-27 win over Toledo on Saturday evening at Bulldog Stadium.Â
"Two years ago, it didn't turn out so well for the Bulldogs at their place," said head coach Jeff Tedford. "There was a chip on our shoulder going into this game. We needed to play a lot better and represent the pride and tradition of Bulldog football better than we did two years ago. I thought it was a great team effort. I thought every phase of the game played really solid."
Fresno State, who finished nonconference play with a 3-1 record, accounted for a season-high 554 yards of offense in the contest with 368 yards through the air and 186 yards rushing.
After picking up the offensive player of the week award after his last performance against UCLA accounting for five total touchdowns, senior quarterback Marcus McMaryion produced five more scores, tossing a season-high four through the air while running for one on the ground. McMaryion completed 24-of-31 passes for 368 yards, the most by a Bulldog quarterback since Derek Carr passed for 404 against Utah State on Dec. 7, 2013. McMaryion also became the first quarterback since Carr in 2013 (New Mexico and San Jose State) to account for five touchdowns in back-to-back games.
Sophomore running back Jordan Mims made a career-high six receptions for 126 yards and became the first Bulldog running back since Paris Gaines on Dec. 31, 2000 to account for 100 or more receiving yards in a game. Senior wide receiver KeeSean Johnson added six catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns for his seventh career 100-yard game and sixth career multi-score contest.
On the ground, Mims and junior running back Josh Hokit each accounted for 59 yards as the 'Dogs ran the ball 38 times in the game for an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Defensively, junior linebacker Jeff Allison led the team in tackles for the third time this season making nine stops in the game. Senior defensive back Anthoula Kelly made a career-high seven tackles while accounting for three of the Bulldogs' five pass breakups in the game while junior defensive end Mykal Walker returned a 38-yard interception for a touchdown (watch), a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
How It HappenedÂ
For a third time this season, the 'Dogs took their first offensive drive for a touchdown going on a 12-play, 75-yard journey down the field that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Mims (watch). McMaryion went a perfect 7-of-7 for 58 yards connecting with five different teammates as junior tight end Cam Sutton made his first career reception with an 18-yard gain.
After being held to six yards and a three-and-out on its first drive, Toledo wasted little time responding with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that finished with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Rockets' quarterback Mitchell Guadagni to running back Shakif Seymour.
With the total yardage at 98 yards for each side and the score tied 7-7 after the opening quarter, Toledo opened the second quarter with a 36-yard run by Guadagni followed by a 15-yard personal foul penalty that sent the Rockets down to the Bulldog 30. The Bulldogs' defense held strong from that point, holding Toledo to a 46-yard field goal by Jameson Vest that gave the Rockets' a 10-7 lead.
With the Bulldogs trailing for the first time since Sept. 8 at Minnesota, McMaryion found Johnson on a bubble screen that he took upfield for 24 yards before McMaryion was intercepted for only the second time this season as Toledo defensive tackle Reggie Howard batted McMaryion's arm to force the ball in the air and into the awaiting arms of defensive end Jamal Hines.
It did not end in six points, but Toledo took advantage of the 'Dogs miscue connecting on a 43-yard field goal by Vest that extended the Rockets' lead to 13-7.
The 'Dogs responded to the Rockets' pair of field goals in a hurry with a 6-play, 76-yard drive in 1:43 to re-gain a one-point advantage, 14-13. McMaryion found Mims who scampered for 55 yards after a short pass, and on the ensuing play connected with Johnson on a seven-yard bubble screen that he took to the end zone to push the Bulldogs ahead.
One three-and-out later forced by the Bulldog defense, allowed McMaryion to guide the offense to a 6-play, 78-yard drive that featured a season-long 21-yard run by Hokit and a 36-yard flip from McMaryion to Jamire Jordan that was finished off by a two-yard touchdown toss from McMaryion to senior tight end Kyle Riddering to put the 'Dogs ahead 21-13 (watch).
The defense again made life tough for the Rockets as junior defensive end Kwami Jones came up with his first sack of the season that forced the Rockets to punt, which was returned by Ronnie Rivers for 18 yards as the sophomore running back made his season debut.
The next Fresno State score was set up by McMaryion finding Mims out of the backfield down the right sideline for a 47-yard touchdown that gave the 'Dogs their third straight touchdown and pushed the lead to 28-13 (watch).
After gaining 346 yards of offense in the first half with 286 yards coming through the air and 60 yards on the ground, the 'Dogs opened the second half and put together a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from McMaryion to Johnson in the left corner of the end zone to push the 'Dogs lead to 35-13 (watch).
On the drive, McMaryion went 3-for-3 for 64 yards finding Johnson for a 39-yard connection that pushed him into eighth all-time in program history in receiving yards passing Isaiah Burse (2010-13).
The 'Dogs added two more touchdowns in the third quarter as Walker's 38-yard interception return was the Bulldogs' fourth non-offensive return for a touchdown this season and was the second interception returned for a touchdown this season by a Bulldog.
McMaryion added his fifth touchdown of the game with a six-yard rush with 2:48 to play in the third quarter to give the 'Dogs a 49-13 lead (watch). Toledo added two fourth quarter touchdowns as Eli Peters connected with Jon'Vea Johnson for a 54-yard score followed by a 24-yard score.
Notables
Head Coach Jeff Tedford on the offensive turning point…
"Toledo is a really good football team. You're not going to steamroll them and score every time you have the ball. Their defense played really well all night, that is a real explosive crew. They can run and throw the football. I think we held them in check, we pressured the passer and didn't let him get loose too often. Toledo is a quality football team. They are 11-1 from last year and they are very solid. You have to stay in there and keep playing, it isn't going to roll smooth on every possession. We knew that, we knew they are a good football team. We kept playing and started making plays and it continued on through the rest of the game until fourth quarter."
Quarterback Marcus McMaryion on the game…
"It's a good feeling, because Toledo is a great team. We played well on both sides of the ball. We had a good game plan going into tonight's game, and we executed it well. Every defense has its holes and our coaches do a great job of putting us in a good position to be successful in every game."
Up next
The Bulldogs open Mountain West play next Saturday at Nevada (3-2, 1-0 MW) at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPNU.
"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.
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
"Two years ago, it didn't turn out so well for the Bulldogs at their place," said head coach Jeff Tedford. "There was a chip on our shoulder going into this game. We needed to play a lot better and represent the pride and tradition of Bulldog football better than we did two years ago. I thought it was a great team effort. I thought every phase of the game played really solid."
Fresno State, who finished nonconference play with a 3-1 record, accounted for a season-high 554 yards of offense in the contest with 368 yards through the air and 186 yards rushing.
After picking up the offensive player of the week award after his last performance against UCLA accounting for five total touchdowns, senior quarterback Marcus McMaryion produced five more scores, tossing a season-high four through the air while running for one on the ground. McMaryion completed 24-of-31 passes for 368 yards, the most by a Bulldog quarterback since Derek Carr passed for 404 against Utah State on Dec. 7, 2013. McMaryion also became the first quarterback since Carr in 2013 (New Mexico and San Jose State) to account for five touchdowns in back-to-back games.
Sophomore running back Jordan Mims made a career-high six receptions for 126 yards and became the first Bulldog running back since Paris Gaines on Dec. 31, 2000 to account for 100 or more receiving yards in a game. Senior wide receiver KeeSean Johnson added six catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns for his seventh career 100-yard game and sixth career multi-score contest.
On the ground, Mims and junior running back Josh Hokit each accounted for 59 yards as the 'Dogs ran the ball 38 times in the game for an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Defensively, junior linebacker Jeff Allison led the team in tackles for the third time this season making nine stops in the game. Senior defensive back Anthoula Kelly made a career-high seven tackles while accounting for three of the Bulldogs' five pass breakups in the game while junior defensive end Mykal Walker returned a 38-yard interception for a touchdown (watch), a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
How It HappenedÂ
For a third time this season, the 'Dogs took their first offensive drive for a touchdown going on a 12-play, 75-yard journey down the field that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Mims (watch). McMaryion went a perfect 7-of-7 for 58 yards connecting with five different teammates as junior tight end Cam Sutton made his first career reception with an 18-yard gain.
After being held to six yards and a three-and-out on its first drive, Toledo wasted little time responding with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that finished with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Rockets' quarterback Mitchell Guadagni to running back Shakif Seymour.
With the total yardage at 98 yards for each side and the score tied 7-7 after the opening quarter, Toledo opened the second quarter with a 36-yard run by Guadagni followed by a 15-yard personal foul penalty that sent the Rockets down to the Bulldog 30. The Bulldogs' defense held strong from that point, holding Toledo to a 46-yard field goal by Jameson Vest that gave the Rockets' a 10-7 lead.
With the Bulldogs trailing for the first time since Sept. 8 at Minnesota, McMaryion found Johnson on a bubble screen that he took upfield for 24 yards before McMaryion was intercepted for only the second time this season as Toledo defensive tackle Reggie Howard batted McMaryion's arm to force the ball in the air and into the awaiting arms of defensive end Jamal Hines.
It did not end in six points, but Toledo took advantage of the 'Dogs miscue connecting on a 43-yard field goal by Vest that extended the Rockets' lead to 13-7.
The 'Dogs responded to the Rockets' pair of field goals in a hurry with a 6-play, 76-yard drive in 1:43 to re-gain a one-point advantage, 14-13. McMaryion found Mims who scampered for 55 yards after a short pass, and on the ensuing play connected with Johnson on a seven-yard bubble screen that he took to the end zone to push the Bulldogs ahead.
One three-and-out later forced by the Bulldog defense, allowed McMaryion to guide the offense to a 6-play, 78-yard drive that featured a season-long 21-yard run by Hokit and a 36-yard flip from McMaryion to Jamire Jordan that was finished off by a two-yard touchdown toss from McMaryion to senior tight end Kyle Riddering to put the 'Dogs ahead 21-13 (watch).
The defense again made life tough for the Rockets as junior defensive end Kwami Jones came up with his first sack of the season that forced the Rockets to punt, which was returned by Ronnie Rivers for 18 yards as the sophomore running back made his season debut.
The next Fresno State score was set up by McMaryion finding Mims out of the backfield down the right sideline for a 47-yard touchdown that gave the 'Dogs their third straight touchdown and pushed the lead to 28-13 (watch).
After gaining 346 yards of offense in the first half with 286 yards coming through the air and 60 yards on the ground, the 'Dogs opened the second half and put together a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from McMaryion to Johnson in the left corner of the end zone to push the 'Dogs lead to 35-13 (watch).
On the drive, McMaryion went 3-for-3 for 64 yards finding Johnson for a 39-yard connection that pushed him into eighth all-time in program history in receiving yards passing Isaiah Burse (2010-13).
The 'Dogs added two more touchdowns in the third quarter as Walker's 38-yard interception return was the Bulldogs' fourth non-offensive return for a touchdown this season and was the second interception returned for a touchdown this season by a Bulldog.
McMaryion added his fifth touchdown of the game with a six-yard rush with 2:48 to play in the third quarter to give the 'Dogs a 49-13 lead (watch). Toledo added two fourth quarter touchdowns as Eli Peters connected with Jon'Vea Johnson for a 54-yard score followed by a 24-yard score.
Notables
- Fresno State improves to 3-1 all-time against Toledo with a 2-0 mark at home.
- The 'Dogs closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 3-1 mark. It is the first time since 2013 the Bulldogs have finished non-conference play with a winning record.
- The Bulldog defense had a season-high five sacks after coming into the game with only three in the 'Dogs first three games.
- McMaryion's 368 passing yards were the most by a Bulldog quarterback since Derek Carr passed for 404 against Utah State on Dec. 7, 2013. McMaryion also became the first quarterback since Carr in 2013 (New Mexico and San Jose State) to account for five touchdowns in back-to-back games.
- Two of Riddering's four receptions this season have gone for touchdowns.
Head Coach Jeff Tedford on the offensive turning point…
"Toledo is a really good football team. You're not going to steamroll them and score every time you have the ball. Their defense played really well all night, that is a real explosive crew. They can run and throw the football. I think we held them in check, we pressured the passer and didn't let him get loose too often. Toledo is a quality football team. They are 11-1 from last year and they are very solid. You have to stay in there and keep playing, it isn't going to roll smooth on every possession. We knew that, we knew they are a good football team. We kept playing and started making plays and it continued on through the rest of the game until fourth quarter."
Quarterback Marcus McMaryion on the game…
"It's a good feeling, because Toledo is a great team. We played well on both sides of the ball. We had a good game plan going into tonight's game, and we executed it well. Every defense has its holes and our coaches do a great job of putting us in a good position to be successful in every game."
Up next
The Bulldogs open Mountain West play next Saturday at Nevada (3-2, 1-0 MW) at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPNU.
"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.
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFB Weekly Press Conference [10/6]
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FB highlight vs Nevada [10/4/25]
Monday, October 06
Post-Game Press Conference [10/4]
Sunday, October 05
Instant Highlights: Fresno State 20, Nevada 17
Saturday, October 04