Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, October 29
Fresno, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT
Fresno State
4-4 , 3-1
32
vs
28
San Diego State
4-4 , 2-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
San Diego St.
7
14
7
0
28
Fresno St.
3
7
7
15
32
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
'Dogs complete epic comeback against SDSU
10/29/2022 10:50:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. -- Fresno State completed the epic fourth quarter comeback against San Diego State, scoring 15 points in the final quarter with two touchdowns in a 13 second span within the final 70 seconds. Fresno State keeps possession of the Old Oil Can with a 32-28 win over the Aztecs on Saturday night at Valley Children's Stadium.
The Bulldogs won their third-straight game and move to 4-4 on the season with a 3-1 record in Mountain West play and an opportunity still ahead for a chance at the Mountain West championship game.
The highlight of the night was the return of senior captains in quarterback Jake Haener and defensive back Evan Williams as they came back from injuries suffered at USC on Sept. 17. Haener finished the game with 394 yards and three touchdowns while completing 76 percent of pass attempts (34-of-45). Williams finished the game second on the team with eight tackles, a broken up pass and a quarterback hurry.
Wide receiver Zane Pope had a career-high night with 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. Pope was also responsible for the Bulldogs' onside kick recovery, and the successful two-point conversion.
How It Happened
Receiving the opening kickoff, the Bulldogs wasted little time getting the offense going with the return of quarterback Jake Haener going on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 35-yard field by Abraham Montano.
San Diego State quickly answered back with a nine-play, 82-yard drive that saw Aztec quarterback Jalen Mayden get free for a 28-yard touchdown that put the Aztecs ahead 7-3.
The Aztecs extended their lead to 14-3 after a six-play, 74-yard drive ended with Mayden connecting with Kenan Christon for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
The 'Dogs responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was keyed by a 29-yard pass from Haener to Jalen Moreno-Cropper and was completed with a 21-yard touchdown toss from Haener to Nikko Remigio to cut the Aztecs' lead down to 14-10.
After the 'Dogs forced an Aztec fumble, but were unable to get anything going offensively, SDSU put together their third 70-yard plus drive of the first half on their next drive scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Mayden for a 21-10 lead at the break.
The second half got started with the teams trading interceptions before a SDSU touchdown toss by Mayden put the Aztecs in front, 28-10 as they marched eight plays and 80 yards ending with a seven-yard score to Jesse Matthews.
With the 'Dogs looking to get back on track, they were forced to punt, but a muff by the Aztecs allowed the Bulldogs to gain another life taking over at the SDSU 10-yard line. Two plays later, Haener connected with Zane Pope in the left corner of the end zone to pull the 'Dogs within 28-17.
The Bulldogs kept the comeback bid alive with a late touchdown with a three-yard run by Jordan Mims and a two-point conversion from Haener to Pope brought the 'Dogs within three at 28-25.
Needing to recover an onside kick, the 'Dogs did just that and on the next play proceeded to score the go-ahead touchdown as Haener connected with Remigio for 37-yard touchdown to push the Bulldogs in front, 32-28.
Holding a four-point lead with 50 seconds left, the 'Dogs Carlton Johnson nabbed the game-sealing interception at the Fresno State 30-yard line and after a pair of pair of kneel downs, the Oil Can will remain in Fresno for a second straight season.
Up Next -- Fresno State will play its second-straight game at home, hosting Hawai'i on Saturday Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter:@FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:FresnoStateFootball
The Bulldogs won their third-straight game and move to 4-4 on the season with a 3-1 record in Mountain West play and an opportunity still ahead for a chance at the Mountain West championship game.
The highlight of the night was the return of senior captains in quarterback Jake Haener and defensive back Evan Williams as they came back from injuries suffered at USC on Sept. 17. Haener finished the game with 394 yards and three touchdowns while completing 76 percent of pass attempts (34-of-45). Williams finished the game second on the team with eight tackles, a broken up pass and a quarterback hurry.
Wide receiver Zane Pope had a career-high night with 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. Pope was also responsible for the Bulldogs' onside kick recovery, and the successful two-point conversion.
How It Happened
Receiving the opening kickoff, the Bulldogs wasted little time getting the offense going with the return of quarterback Jake Haener going on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 35-yard field by Abraham Montano.
San Diego State quickly answered back with a nine-play, 82-yard drive that saw Aztec quarterback Jalen Mayden get free for a 28-yard touchdown that put the Aztecs ahead 7-3.
The Aztecs extended their lead to 14-3 after a six-play, 74-yard drive ended with Mayden connecting with Kenan Christon for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
The 'Dogs responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was keyed by a 29-yard pass from Haener to Jalen Moreno-Cropper and was completed with a 21-yard touchdown toss from Haener to Nikko Remigio to cut the Aztecs' lead down to 14-10.
After the 'Dogs forced an Aztec fumble, but were unable to get anything going offensively, SDSU put together their third 70-yard plus drive of the first half on their next drive scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Mayden for a 21-10 lead at the break.
The second half got started with the teams trading interceptions before a SDSU touchdown toss by Mayden put the Aztecs in front, 28-10 as they marched eight plays and 80 yards ending with a seven-yard score to Jesse Matthews.
With the 'Dogs looking to get back on track, they were forced to punt, but a muff by the Aztecs allowed the Bulldogs to gain another life taking over at the SDSU 10-yard line. Two plays later, Haener connected with Zane Pope in the left corner of the end zone to pull the 'Dogs within 28-17.
The Bulldogs kept the comeback bid alive with a late touchdown with a three-yard run by Jordan Mims and a two-point conversion from Haener to Pope brought the 'Dogs within three at 28-25.
Needing to recover an onside kick, the 'Dogs did just that and on the next play proceeded to score the go-ahead touchdown as Haener connected with Remigio for 37-yard touchdown to push the Bulldogs in front, 32-28.
Holding a four-point lead with 50 seconds left, the 'Dogs Carlton Johnson nabbed the game-sealing interception at the Fresno State 30-yard line and after a pair of pair of kneel downs, the Oil Can will remain in Fresno for a second straight season.
Up Next -- Fresno State will play its second-straight game at home, hosting Hawai'i on Saturday Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter:@FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:FresnoStateFootball
Team Stats
SDS
FST
Total Yards
449
391
Pass Yards
291
394
Rushing Yards
158
-3
Penalty Yards
65
65
1st Downs
22
23
3rd Downs
6
9
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
29:05
30:55
1st Quarter
SDS 0, FST 3
FST - Montano,Abraham 35 yd field goal 13 plays, 58 yards, TOP 06:49
SDS 7, FST 3
SDS - Mayden,Jalen 28 yd run (Browning,Jack kick), 9 plays, 82 yards, TOP 05:09
2nd Quarter
SDS 14, FST 3
SDS - Christon,Kenan 26 yd pass from Mayden,Jalen (Browning,Jack kick) 6 plays, 74 yards, TOP 03:17
SDS 14, FST 10
FST - Remigio,Nikko 21 yd pass from Haener,Jake (Montano,Abraham kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:44
SDS 21, FST 10
SDS - Mayden,Jalen 1 yd run (Browning,Jack kick), 9 plays, 81 yards, TOP 04:02
3rd Quarter
SDS 28, FST 10
SDS - Matthews,Jesse 7 yd pass from Mayden,Jalen (Reeser,Jarrett kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:17
SDS 28, FST 17
FST - Pope,Zane 8 yd pass from Haener,Jake (Montano,Abraham kick) 2 plays, 10 yards, TOP 00:35
4th Quarter
SDS 28, FST 25
FST - Mims,Jordan 3 yd run (Pope,Zane pass), 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:46
SDS 28, FST 32
FST - Remigio,Nikko 37 yd pass from Haener,Jake (Montano,Abraham kick) 1 plays, 37 yards, TOP 00:09
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
34
TD
3
YDS
394
INT
2
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ FootballJeff Tedford to be inducted into the Fresno State Football Ring of Honor
Tuesday, September 23
FB highlight at Hawai'i [9/20/25]
Monday, September 22
Instant Highlight: Fresno State 23, Hawaii 21
Sunday, September 21
Post-Game Press Conference [9/20]
Sunday, September 21