CHAMPS! 'Dogs win New Mexico Bowl

Saturday, December 18

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

11:15 a.m. PT

Fresno State

10-3 , 6-2

UTEP

7-6 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UTEP

Fresno St.

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

CHAMPS! 'Dogs win New Mexico Bowl

12/18/2021 4:50:00 PM | Football

Box Score Press Conference: Jordan Mims, Elijah Gates Press Conference: Interim Head Coach Lee Marks Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

Fresno State defeated UTEP in the 16th annual PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Fresno State football team won its 10th game of the season with a 31-24 win over UTEP in the 16th annual PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl on Saturday. The Bulldogs secured their first win at the New Mexico Bowl in program history.

Senior running back Jordan Mims was the game's offensive most valuable player. Mims finished with 165 yards rushing, with two touchdowns, and an additional 71 yards and one touchdown receiving. He totaled 236 all-purpose yards.

Senior safety Elijah Gates was the game's defensive most valuable player. Gates finished second on the team with seven tackles. Arguably one of the biggest defensive plays for the 'Dogs, Gates intercepted a pass at the three-yard line that halted a crucial UTEP drive.

How it Happened
The Bulldogs jumped to an early start behind a five-play, 75 yard scoring drive over the first 2:16 of the game. Mims carried the scoring drive, opening the game with a big 38-yard rush to move the ball down the field. Four plays later, it was Mims who punched in for the score. Fresno State successfully converted the 2-point conversion, but an illegal formation penalty called it back to keep the score 6-0 after the opening drive.

UTEP quickly answered with a seven-play, 80 yard scoring drive over 3:36 to take a 7-6 lead with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter. The Bulldogs took back the lead with a 42-yard field goal attempt with just over 90 seconds left in the quarter. The Miners responded with a field goal of their own for a 10-9 lead as the second quarter began.

UTEP gained some momentum, scoring its second touchdown of the game with 6:54 left in the half and taking a 17-9 lead, but Fresno State stayed composed and continued to drive. With 6:54 on the clock, the Bulldogs put together a 10-play, 75 yard scoring drive capped by another TD by Mims, this time a one-yard punch-in.

The Bulldog defense got UTEP off the field without adding points, and the offense got back to work. With 42 seconds until the halftime break, and trailing 17-16, the Bulldogs put together a seven-play drive that ended with a 45-yard field goal by Cesar Silva to give the 'Dogs a 19-17 lead into the half.

It was smooth sailing from there as the Bulldogs held the Miners off the scoreboard in the third quarter, but extended their lead to 26-17 at the end of the quarter following a receiving touchdown by Mims. UTEP scored a touchdown in the fourth, but Fresno State added a field goal and a safety to carry home a 31-24 win.

Notable

Fresno State won the New Mexico Bowl for the first time in program history.
The Bulldogs finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 10-3, marking the 12th 10-win season for the program.
Senior running back Jordan Mims was named the game's offensive most valuable player.
The Bulldogs have taken home the offensive most valuable player in their last three bowl appearances. Ronnie Rivers brought home the award in the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl and Marcus McMaryion received the honor in the 2017 Hawai'i Bowl.
Senior safety Elijah Gates was named the game's defensive most valuable player.
Gates is the first Bulldog to receive the award since Karl Mickelsen in the 2012 Hawai'i Bowl.
Jake Haener surpassed 4,000 yards passing on the season. He is the first Bulldog to surpass 4,000 yards passing since Derek Carr had 5,082 in 2013. Haener joins Derek Carr and David Carr as the only Bulldog quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season.
This was the closest New Mexico Bowl Game at the half (19-17) since 2009.
Fresno State's defense recorded a safety in the fourth quarter, it was the second safety in the history of the New Mexico Bowl. The first was in the inaugural New Mexico Bowl, by New Mexico.
Fresno State scored 10 points in the last two minutes of the half to erase an eight-point deficit.
Fresno State has had a one-possession game at half time of a bowl game in its last three bowl appearances - tie game at Las Vegas Bowl (17-17) and three point lead at Hawai'i Bowl (13-10). Fresno State won all of those games.

Quotable - Interim Head Coach Lee Marks
"This program is so special because of these players that are in front of me. We were able to finish the season the right way because of the seniors who bought in and showed leadership through adversity. We are bringing this trouphy back to the Valley!"

"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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