'Dogs celebrate with Senior Day win

Saturday, November 13

Fresno, CA

4 p.m. PT

Fresno State

8-3 , 5-2

New Mexico

3-7 , 1-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

New Mexico

Fresno State

Photo by: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

'Dogs celebrate with Senior Day win

11/13/2021 8:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score New Mexico-Fresno State postgame notes New Mexico-Fresno State postgame quotes Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

Fresno State defeated New Mexico 34-7 at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday.

By: Fresno State Strategic Communications Staff

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team got back to its winning ways with a 34-7 win over New Mexico at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulldogs improve to 8-3 overall, and 5-2 in Mountain West play.

How it happened
New Mexico won the coin toss, and elected to receive the opening kickoff. It took just one play before Isaiah Chavez threw an interception, picked off by Cale Sanders Jr.

Fresno State scored on its following drive, taking advantage of the turnover. Ronnie Rivers became the program's all-time leading career rushing touchdown scorer with a 4-yard rush into the checkerboard end zone with 10:33 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter began with another successful Bulldog scoring drive. Fresno State capped a nine play, 71-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jake Haener to Raymond Pauwels Jr. to put the 'Dogs up 14-0 with 13:31 left in the half.

The Bulldogs had their third touchdown scorer of the game as Josh Kelly scored on a 21-yard reception with 6:42 left in the half. Fresno State's defense had back-to-back 3-and-out performances in the quarter, limiting UNM to only eight yards of offense in the quarter.

The half was capped with a career-long 51-yard field goal by Cesar Silva to give Fresno State a 24-0 lead into the locker room.

Silva opened the third quarter with a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead, but New Mexico answered on its following drive with a push into the end zone with 7:45 on the clock.

Jordan Mims had the final score of the evening. Following a career-best 78-yard reception, Mims punched it in on a 4-yard catch to put the 'Dogs up 34-7 in the final minutes of the third quarter.

Notable

Fresno State honored 17 seniors prior to kickoff: Nick Abbs, Alex Akingbulu, Kevin Atkins, DaRon Bland, Ryan Boehm, Jason Diaz Jr., Kenny Gagnon, Kwami Jones, Tyson Maeva, Arron Mosby, Deonte Perry, Ronnie Rivers, Juan Rodriguez, Cesar Silva, Matt Smith, Jacob Westberry, and Keric Wheatfall.
Fresno State shutout New Mexico in the first half. It was the third time this season the Bulldog defense held the opponent scoreless in the first half.
New Mexico only had 46 offensive plays in the game, it was the least amount of offensive plays by an opponent this season and the least by a Bulldog opponent since 2009.
Fresno State only allowed for 34-yards passing by New Mexico. It was the lowest total passing yards by an opponent since 2010.
New Mexico had only seven first downs in the game. It was the lowest amount by a Bulldog opponent since 2016.
Fresno State has held its opponent to under 10 first downs in a game twice this season.
Fresno State's defense has now had at least one interception in five-straight games.
Fresno State was 3-for-3 in red-zone attempts.
Ronnie Rivers became Fresno State's all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns with his first score of the game in the first quarter.

Quotables
Kalen DeBoer, Fresno State head coach
On tonight's performance and senior day…
"What a difference a week makes, huh? It feels good to be sitting here seeing these guys talking about the game and the excitement they have. I'm just proud of the seniors… they're a special group. I loved the energy, I loved the vibe I was getting, especially the second half of the week from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I thought our pregame vibe and the excitement were special. Probably the only thing I was concerned about was the emotions I saw from the seniors when they were getting introduced and coming down the ramp. I could see how important this place is to them. I know that's the type of guys we have on this football team. There were a lot more tears shed than I even imagined. It felt like once they kicked off the ball they were able to put that to the side and play football the way they know how to do. I am super proud of these guys and the way they played tonight."

Ronnie Rivers, Sr., RB
On breaking records to start and end the season and getting the win on Senior Night…
"It's an amazing feeling, just being able to share that with the teammates I have out there. Of course, none of this is possible without them. So just being able to share this moment with my teammates, my family and everybody that came to support us. It's a great feeling."

Kevin Atkins, Sr., DT
On his senior day experience…
"it's a bittersweet journey. I know football's not over for me, and I know this season's not over. We've still got steps to take but after our last game, whenever that may be, I will never play another game in this stadium, so you know that kind of broke my heart to know I won't have another game here. This is really a special place. When you first get here, and they tell you that you don't believe it until you actually play here. I think that just knowing that that comes to an end really broke my heart."

Alex Akingbulu, Sr., OL
About making his mark as a Bulldog...
"My journey here has just been remarkable. Coming into an organization that believes in me, trusts in me, and lets me be who I am. All I can do is thank everybody. Red Wave, coaches and the players who welcomed me with open arms. I couldn't have asked for a better situation. The coaches push me every single day, from the first year I got here to be where I am. I am just grateful for the opportunity."

Up Next - Fresno State looks towards its second bye week of the season, before heading to San Jose State for a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Spartans.

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