'Dogs finish unblemished in nonconference with 53-10 win

Saturday, September 23

Fresno, Calif.

7:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Kent State

Fresno State celebrates a touchdown together

'Dogs finish unblemished in nonconference with 53-10 win

9/23/2023 11:59:00 PM | Football

Box Score Fresno State-Kent State postgame quotes Fresno State-Kent State postgame notes

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Assistant Athletics Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State finished the nonconference portion of its schedule with a 53-10 win over Kent State on Saturday night at Valley Children's Stadium. It was the third time in the last four seasons that the Bulldogs have scored 50-plus points in a game.

Fresno State has won 13 games in a row, its longest winning streak since 1960-62.

Mikey Keene led Fresno State's offense with 325 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-31 passing. All four touchdowns were thrown to a different receiver, the first time a Bulldog quarterback has done that since 2021. Jalen Moss had one of those touchdowns to go along with a career-high 120 yards.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State's defense got things started with a quick three-and-out showing. The Kent State punt was downed at the Fresno State 45-yard line, and the offense took over with a quick six-play scoring drive that found Mikey Keene connecting with Erik Brooks on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Fresno State pulled its first trick play out of the bag, setting up for a point after formation but running Logan Fife in for the 2-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead early in the first.

The Bulldog defense saw another three-and-out as Kemari Munier-Bailey came up big on third down to force a punt.

After a shanked punt, and taking over at the Kent State 47-yard line, Fresno State took only two plays to find the end zone and extend the lead. Keene hit Brooks for a 15-yard completion. Then Jaelen Gill lined up to receive the snap and threw his first career pass, a 32-yard touchdown to Elijah Gilliam, hitting him wide open down the right side.

Kent State saw some offensive momentum, hitting a chunk play of 40 yards down field to enter Fresno State territory. The Golden Flashes ran in from 18 yards out to make it 15-7 with 5:41 left in the first quarter.

Keene and the offense strung together four-straight plays of 11 or more yards, first hitting Jalen Moss on an 11-yard completion. Malik Sherrod got away for a gain of 24 yards in his first carry of the game. Keene found Mac Dalena in back-to-back completions for 20 and 14 yards to set the 'Dogs up in the red zone. Gilliam punched it in from two yards out to extend the 'Dog lead to 22-7.

Kent State scored on a 46-yard field goal, after eating up nearly six minutes of clock time on its following drive. Fresno State had a 22-10 lead with 12:16 remaining before the halftime break.

Fresno State again scored on its next possession with another set of chunk plays. Keene hit Gilliam for a 23-yard completion to get things started, then found Dalena for a gain of 33. Moss scored his first TD of the game on a one-handed catch on a 12-yard pass from Keene.

The Bulldog defense kept the Golden Flashes off the board on their following drive. Kent State made it down to the Fresno State 34-yard line, and opted to go for it on fourth down but were met by Isaiah Johnson who forced the turnover on downs.

The scoring kept rolling for Fresno State. Keene opened up with a flashy deep ball to Moss for 47 yards. Gilliam would end the drive with a punch-in from a yard out for his third score of the game.

Fresno State led 36-10 at the half.

The Bulldogs received the opening kick of the second half, and cashed in for more points. With six complete passes and four rushes, Fresno State found itself back in the red zone. Keene hit a wide-open Tre Watson to his left to extend the Bulldog lead to 43-10 with 9:06 left in the third quarter.

Fresno State scored again on its next drive as Keene connected with Moss for 23 yards, but Moss would fumble at the one yard line and Gill was there for the recovery in the end zone to add points for the Bulldogs.

Following another Kent State three-and-out, Dylan Lynch tacked on a 40-yard field goal for the 'Dogs.

Fresno State saw its first offensive drive without points scored in the game as the 'Dogs turned over on downs at the 3:22 mark in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT
Fresno State (4-0, 0-0 MW) is back at home next Saturday to open Mountain West play against Nevada (0-4, 0-0 MW).

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on FS1. Tickets are available here.

"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate.