Career night for Haener not enough as Bulldogs fall in Reno, 37-26

Saturday, December 5

Reno, NV

6:00 p.m. PT

Fresno State

3-2 , 3-2

Nevada

6-1 , 6-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Fresno State

Nevada

Photo by: Cary Edmondson

Career night for Haener not enough as Bulldogs fall in Reno, 37-26

12/5/2020 11:34:00 PM | Football

Box Score Postgame Press Conference: Head Coach Kalen DeBoer Fresno State-Nevada Postgame Quotes Fresno State-Nevada Postgame Notes

By: Fresno State Athletic Communications

RENO, Nev. – Fresno State fought until the clock ran out but it wasn't enough as Nevada won 37-26 on a frigid Saturday night at Mackay Stadium.

Jake Haener had a career night for the 'Dogs, throwing for the third-most pass completions (41) and attempts (65) in program history. The junior quarterback accounted for three touchdowns and totaled 502 yards (485 passing/17 rushing) which tied David Carr for the fifth-most ever by a Bulldog in a single game. Keric Wheatfall (113) and Jalen Cropper (107) each surpassed the 100-yard mark in receiving yards while Zane Pope, in his first game this season, finished four yards shy of the mark with 96. Wheatfall and Pope's marks were both career highs.

Ronnie Rivers' NCAA-best streak of scoring in 12-straight games came to a close. He finished with 69 yards rushing and 38 yards receiving on a career-best nine catches.

Fresno State's defense produced three turnovers compared to Nevada's two. Wylan Free and Bralyn Lux each recorded their first interceptions of the season, and it was the first time this season Nevada quarterback Carson Strong threw multiple picks in a game. He entered the contest with two interceptions on the year.

The Bulldogs outgained the Wolf Pack 599-416 in total offense on 105 total plays to Nevada's 61.

How It Happened
Nevada scored first, on its opening possession, connecting on a 49-yard field goal but the Bulldog offense quickly responded. A 27-yard reception from Cropper and a 17-yard catch from Rivers on Fresno State's first drive moved the ball down inside the 10-yard line. Josh Kelly finished the drive with a 9-yard rushing touchdown to put the 'Dogs up 7-3.

With a depleted special teams unit, the Bulldogs saw miscues on their punt team on their next two possessions. A fumbled snap on a punt attempt, followed by a punt blocked, led to two short fields and 14 unanswered points for the Wolf Pack.

Fresno State's offense settled back into the game with a 16-play scoring drive. Twice on the possession it was Haener using his legs to come up with big plays, first on a 12-yard scramble on third-and-7 to get the 'Dogs into the red zone, and then again on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line as he dove just inside the pylon to pull Fresno State back to within seven, 17-10.

The Wolf Pack quickly responded going 59 yards in under three minutes to double its lead. With under two-and-a-half minutes left in the half, Haener went back to work under center. The signal caller first found Pope in an open pocket along the sideline for a 31-yard gain. Haener then found Wheatfall down the seam for a 19-yard score to pull within six at the half, 24-20.

The first 16 minutes of the second half saw three turnovers, two claimed by Fresno State, a fourth-down stop by Nevada and Rivers rushing for a long touchdown on third down which was negated by a penalty. It was the last play of the night for the Bulldog back as he left the game with an apparent injury.

Following an interception from Lux late in the third quarter, Haener guided the 'Dogs back into the red zone as time expired on the third quarter. Upon the start of the final frame, Nevada stopped Fresno State's bid to regain the lead on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard-line to remain ahead 24-20. The Wolf Pack capitalized on the turnover over on downs in just three plays, the last being an 85-yard touchdown reception, and never looked back.

Nevada scored once more through the air to put the game out of reach before the 'Dogs scored once more late.

Notable

Fresno State had 599 yards of total offense. It's the second straight game the offense topped 500 yards in a game, and it was the most yards in a game since Sept. 2, 2017 versus Incarnate Word.
Fresno State set a single game record for most plays with 105, surpassing the previous record of 102 which was set against Utah State in 1987.
Rivers became the seventh player in Fresno State history to reach the 4,000-yard all-purpose yards milestone. He now owns 4,026 and ranks No. 7 all-time.
Haener's 502 yards of total offense tied for the fifth-most all-time in a single game by a Bulldog. He tied David Carr's performance versus Michigan State in 2001.
Haener's 485 yards passing was the eighth-most in a single game in program history.

Quotable
Kalen DeBoer, Fresno State Head Coach
Opening Statement...
"Obviously disappointed with the outcome of the game. We have a locker room of guys who came here expecting to win. That is the expectation we have every time we step on the football field. We fought until the very end. There were a few things on both sides of the ball that we needed to do better. I know its different game, but it is what it is and we have to tip our hat to Nevada - they have a great football team. I know that we can go toe-to-toe with anybody. The fight in this team is something that I am super proud of. I know how we are going to respond, because they already told me in the locker room. They showed me on the football field over and over again that they won't flinch, and that is what its all about. The guys are disappointed, but there is not one person or one area, its all phases of the game."

On his feelings after the game...
"I know exactly what I am feeling. I am feeling proud about the way that we fight until the end. That is what it's all about. I don't want us to have regrets when we walk off the football field, and knowing we had more left in the tank. I just made sure we left it out there on the field. Our guys keep playing, and keep fighting. That culture, the fight and the belief is what we are all about. We are going to make plays, we have great players in this program. We are going to continue to put it together. That is going to happen. The part I know that we are building is the culture piece, and that fight. I am proud of these guys. I am proud of them but its not good enough. We expect to win every time we are on the football field and we didn't get that tonight."

Up Next
Fresno State will remain on the road for its final game of the regular season, traveling to Las Vegas to face New Mexico at Sam Boyd Stadium. Kickoff time will be announced on Monday.

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