Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, November 7
Las Vegas, NV
12:30 PM PT
Fresno State
2-1 , 2-1
40
at
27
UNLV
0-3 , 0-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Fresno State
6
14
7
13
40
UNLV
7
10
10
0
27
Photo by: Cary Edmondson
Rivers runs through Vegas in Bulldogs' 40-27 win
11/7/2020 6:00:00 PM | Football
LAS VEGAS – In a city filled with shows, Ronnie Rivers was the featured act on Saturday afternoon at the newly minted Allegiant Stadium, piling up 232 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in Fresno State's 40-27 win over UNLV. The senior running back tallied 133 rushing yards and 99 receiving yards, coming up one yard shy of being the first player to surpass 100 yards in both categories since Dale Messer in 1960.
For the third game in a row the Bulldogs produced more than 400 yards total offense, finishing with 487. The 'Dogs utilized a balanced offensive attack that saw them rush for 243 yards on 36 attempts and pass for 244 yards on 35 attempts. UNLV totaled 402 yards but the Bulldogs' defense forced the Rebels into three turnovers that resulted in 10 points. Fresno State's defense also produced a season-high six sacks.
Jake Haener threw for 164 yards and one touchdown on 15-of-23 passing. The redshirt junior also rushed for 79 yards and a score. Ben Wooldridge led the offense in four respective drives, he went 5-of-12 passing for 80 yards, and produced points on three of his four opportunities on the field.
On the defensive side, Chris Gaston became the first Bulldog in more than a year to record two interceptions in a game while David Perales and Kurtis Brown paired together for the Bulldogs' third forced turnovers. Perales forced the fumble and Brown fell on top of it. For the second game this season, Bralyn Lux led the 'Dogs in tackles, besting his previous high with nine on Saturday. Evan Williams totaled eight for second straight week. Malachi Langley and Perales each totaled seven tackles and a sack.
How It Happened
On the Bulldogs second drive, Haener and Keric Wheatfall connected on back-to-back plays to move the ball 22 yards down field. Two plays later, Haener found an opening and called his own number off an RPO, outrunning the UNLV defense for a 54-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead after a failed PAT.
The lead was short lived as the Rebels scored 10 unanswered on their next two drives. A touchdown midway through the first quarter and a field goal early in the second.
Fresno State went back on top 13-10 with 9:34 remaining in the first half. Aided by a roughing the passer call on third-and-5 from the Bulldogs' own 32, quarterback Ben Wooldridge followed the penalty by linking up with Rivers for a 35-yard gain to put the 'Dogs in the red zone. A 12-yard pass to Raymond Pauwels Jr. set up a 6-yard touchdown run to the left side for Rivers behind aggressive blocking from Dontae Bull.
UNLV, though, had an answer, following up the Bulldogs' score with one of its own to put them back on top 17-13 at the 6:12 mark in the second frame.
In a seesaw first half, the Bulldogs regained the lead to close out the half. Following an 18-yard scramble from Haener, the signal caller found Rivers in the flat where the back tip-toed 33 yards down the sideline, again led by Bull in space, to put the 'Dogs ahead 20-17 at halftime.
Two plays into the second half, Perales came off the left edge and knocked the ball out of Rebels' quarterback Max Gilliam's hand for his second forced fumble in as many weeks. Brown pounced on the ball to hand possession back to the Bulldogs' offense. It took just three plays for Fresno State to capitalize and take a 27-17 lead as Rivers slipped through the middle of the line, and raced 16 yards for the score.
Behind a 27-yard field goal and a 71-yard quarterback dash by the home team, the game would once again be level, 27-27, with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Although this would be the last time UNLV would score as Fresno State closed the game outscoring the Rebels 13-0 in the fourth quarter.
Rivers scored for the fourth time in the game, capping an 11-play, 79-yard scoring drive. Rivers finished off the possession with a 3-yard run on fourth-and-2 before going 10 yards untouched into the end zone on the very next play on what was the first play of the fourth quarter.
The defense and Cesar Silva helped put the game away as the Bulldog kicker tacked on 31 and 35-yard field goals while Gaston produced a pair of late interceptions.
Notable
Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
On playing at Allegiant Stadium...
"It was a neat experience for them, there is no question about that. It is a beautiful stadium. I think the visuals are different. You think when there is a high punt, or ball thrown a little higher, the sight lines are a little different than what you're used to. It is still a beautiful place to play, I think more than just where we are playing, I know there are a few guys who had family members here. I was thinking about that before the game and being a parent myself, and how much you want to be there for your kids and get the chance to watch them play. With limited opportunities, it is really unfortunate that they don't get the chance to do that. I think today was meaningful because this might be the one trip that parents can make it to. Knowing that their friends and family were in the stands, that was something that I was looking forward to and I am glad some parents could watch their sons play football."
On the Bulldog defensive turnovers coming at ideal times...
"It's one side of the ball picking up the other. Having some struggles on one side, and then the other and special teams - but the other phases pick it up. We talk about a fighter's mentality. We keep punching and playing, It didn't matter what the scoreboard said other than you have to know the situation. We just kept playing hard, and if you keep doing that then good things are going to happen."
Next Up
The Bulldogs remain on the road with a trip to Logan, Utah on Nov. 14 to face Utah State (0-3). Kickoff at Maverick Stadium is set for 11:30 a.m. PT and will air on FS2.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
For the third game in a row the Bulldogs produced more than 400 yards total offense, finishing with 487. The 'Dogs utilized a balanced offensive attack that saw them rush for 243 yards on 36 attempts and pass for 244 yards on 35 attempts. UNLV totaled 402 yards but the Bulldogs' defense forced the Rebels into three turnovers that resulted in 10 points. Fresno State's defense also produced a season-high six sacks.
Jake Haener threw for 164 yards and one touchdown on 15-of-23 passing. The redshirt junior also rushed for 79 yards and a score. Ben Wooldridge led the offense in four respective drives, he went 5-of-12 passing for 80 yards, and produced points on three of his four opportunities on the field.
On the defensive side, Chris Gaston became the first Bulldog in more than a year to record two interceptions in a game while David Perales and Kurtis Brown paired together for the Bulldogs' third forced turnovers. Perales forced the fumble and Brown fell on top of it. For the second game this season, Bralyn Lux led the 'Dogs in tackles, besting his previous high with nine on Saturday. Evan Williams totaled eight for second straight week. Malachi Langley and Perales each totaled seven tackles and a sack.
How It Happened
On the Bulldogs second drive, Haener and Keric Wheatfall connected on back-to-back plays to move the ball 22 yards down field. Two plays later, Haener found an opening and called his own number off an RPO, outrunning the UNLV defense for a 54-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead after a failed PAT.
The lead was short lived as the Rebels scored 10 unanswered on their next two drives. A touchdown midway through the first quarter and a field goal early in the second.
Fresno State went back on top 13-10 with 9:34 remaining in the first half. Aided by a roughing the passer call on third-and-5 from the Bulldogs' own 32, quarterback Ben Wooldridge followed the penalty by linking up with Rivers for a 35-yard gain to put the 'Dogs in the red zone. A 12-yard pass to Raymond Pauwels Jr. set up a 6-yard touchdown run to the left side for Rivers behind aggressive blocking from Dontae Bull.
UNLV, though, had an answer, following up the Bulldogs' score with one of its own to put them back on top 17-13 at the 6:12 mark in the second frame.
In a seesaw first half, the Bulldogs regained the lead to close out the half. Following an 18-yard scramble from Haener, the signal caller found Rivers in the flat where the back tip-toed 33 yards down the sideline, again led by Bull in space, to put the 'Dogs ahead 20-17 at halftime.
Two plays into the second half, Perales came off the left edge and knocked the ball out of Rebels' quarterback Max Gilliam's hand for his second forced fumble in as many weeks. Brown pounced on the ball to hand possession back to the Bulldogs' offense. It took just three plays for Fresno State to capitalize and take a 27-17 lead as Rivers slipped through the middle of the line, and raced 16 yards for the score.
Behind a 27-yard field goal and a 71-yard quarterback dash by the home team, the game would once again be level, 27-27, with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Although this would be the last time UNLV would score as Fresno State closed the game outscoring the Rebels 13-0 in the fourth quarter.
Rivers scored for the fourth time in the game, capping an 11-play, 79-yard scoring drive. Rivers finished off the possession with a 3-yard run on fourth-and-2 before going 10 yards untouched into the end zone on the very next play on what was the first play of the fourth quarter.
The defense and Cesar Silva helped put the game away as the Bulldog kicker tacked on 31 and 35-yard field goals while Gaston produced a pair of late interceptions.
Notable
- Haener's 54-yard touchdown rush was the longest run by a quarterback since Marcus McMaryion scampered for 57 yards in 2017 against New Mexico (Oct. 14). It was the longest TD run by a quarterback since Brian Burrell ran 66 yards for a score in 2014 against Nebraska (Sept. 13).
- Rivers scored a touchdown in his 11th straight game.
- Rivers scored a single-game high four touchdowns against UNLV, which followed a three TD performance in the previous contest against Utah State.
- Rivers moved to second place in program history in total touchdowns with 43. He is one shy of tying the program record held by Anthony Daigle (1991-93).
- Rivers moved from 17th all-time, to 13th all-time, in career all-purpose yards by registering a game-high 232.
- Fresno State posted 297 yards in the first half, and 190 in the second half, finishing with a season-high 487 yards. Fresno State has posted at least 400 yards total offense in each of its first three games. Fresno State had 400 yards offense in five of 12 games in 2019.
- The Bulldogs had a season-high three forced turnovers. It was the most turnovers forced in a game by the Bulldogs since facing UNLV in 2019.
- The Bulldogs recorded six sacks. It was the most single-game sacks by a Bulldog team since facing UNLV on Oct. 16, 2015.
- Fresno State has now won 14 of its last 17 games against UNLV.
- Fresno State has scored at least 40 points against UNLV in three straight meetings.
Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
On playing at Allegiant Stadium...
"It was a neat experience for them, there is no question about that. It is a beautiful stadium. I think the visuals are different. You think when there is a high punt, or ball thrown a little higher, the sight lines are a little different than what you're used to. It is still a beautiful place to play, I think more than just where we are playing, I know there are a few guys who had family members here. I was thinking about that before the game and being a parent myself, and how much you want to be there for your kids and get the chance to watch them play. With limited opportunities, it is really unfortunate that they don't get the chance to do that. I think today was meaningful because this might be the one trip that parents can make it to. Knowing that their friends and family were in the stands, that was something that I was looking forward to and I am glad some parents could watch their sons play football."
On the Bulldog defensive turnovers coming at ideal times...
"It's one side of the ball picking up the other. Having some struggles on one side, and then the other and special teams - but the other phases pick it up. We talk about a fighter's mentality. We keep punching and playing, It didn't matter what the scoreboard said other than you have to know the situation. We just kept playing hard, and if you keep doing that then good things are going to happen."
Next Up
The Bulldogs remain on the road with a trip to Logan, Utah on Nov. 14 to face Utah State (0-3). Kickoff at Maverick Stadium is set for 11:30 a.m. PT and will air on FS2.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Team Stats
FS
UNLV
Total Yards
487
402
Pass Yards
244
160
Rushing Yards
243
242
Penalty Yards
50
55
1st Downs
22
19
3rd Downs
4
11
4th Downs
1
2
TOP
29:35
30:25
1st Quarter
FS 6, UNLV 0
FS - HAENER, Jake 54 yd run (SILVA, Ceaser kickfailed), 5 plays, 78 yards, TOP 2:16
FS 6, UNLV 7
UNLV - WILLIAMS,C. 2 yd run (GUTIERREZ,D. kick), 12 plays, 74 yards, TOP 4:05
2nd Quarter
FS 6, UNLV 10
UNLV - GUTIERREZ,D. 28 yd field goal 18 plays, 74 yards, TOP 6:13
FS 13, UNLV 10
FS - RIVERS, Ronnie 6 yd run (SILVA, Ceaser kick), 5 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:58
FS 13, UNLV 17
UNLV - COLLINS,Tyleek 43 yd pass from GILLIAM,Max (GUTIERREZ,D. kick) 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:13
FS 20, UNLV 17
FS - RIVERS, Ronnie 33 yd pass from HAENER, Jake (SILVA, Ceaser kick) 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 0:42
3rd Quarter
FS 27, UNLV 17
FS - RIVERS, Ronnie 16 yd run (SILVA, Ceaser kick), 3 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:39
FS 27, UNLV 20
UNLV - GUTIERREZ,D. 27 yd field goal 13 plays, 72 yards, TOP 6:33
FS 27, UNLV 27
UNLV - GILLIAM,Max 71 yd run (GUTIERREZ,D. kick), 2 plays, 71 yards, TOP 0:17
4th Quarter
FS 34, UNLV 27
FS - RIVERS, Ronnie 10 yd run (SILVA, Ceaser kick), 11 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:35
FS 37, UNLV 27
FS - SILVA, Ceaser 35 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 1:43
FS 40, UNLV 27
FS - SILVA, Ceaser 31 yd field goal 7 plays, 47 yards, TOP 3:56
Players Mentioned
DT
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OL
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DB
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QB
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LB
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DB
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TE
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DE
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RB
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K
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WR
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DB
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QB
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