Bulldogs stall against Hawai'i

FRESNO, Calif. – Allowing a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, Fresno State fell 21-20 to Hawai'i on Saturday evening at Valley Children's Stadium. The Bulldogs scored on its opening two drives of the game but were held to just 95 yards the remainder of the night.

Fresno State was outgained 346-176.

The Bulldog defense forced the only two turnovers of the game. Phoenix Jackson had a hand in both as the junior linebacker had an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown and forced a fumble.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After receiving the opening kickoff, Hawai'i used up nearly eight minutes during a 14-play, 75-yard drive. A 5-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Schager to Pofele Ashlock on third-and-goal put the Rainbow Warriors up 7-0.

Fresno State responded with a 12-play drive. WIth the drive appearing to stall, Mikey Keene found Raylen Sharp for a 21-yard completion on third-and-11 at the UH 43-yard line. Two plays later, a Hawai'i personal foul negated a fumble by the 'Dogs. Elijah Gilliam took the hand-off 10 yards up the middle into the end zone to tie the game.

With Hawai'i attempting a fourth-and-1 for the second time on the drive on their own side of the field, Malachi Langley stripped Schager of the ball to force a turnover on downs at its 28-yard line. It took Fresno State seven plays before Keene found Sharpe in the end zone for a 5-yard score. The Bulldogs' lead stood at 13-7 with 10:21 on the clock after the PAT was blocked.

Following the early scores, the game turned to the defenses as seven consecutive punts were forced.

As Hawai'i put together the longest drive since the first two drives of the game, the Bulldogs defense stood tall when it mattered. After a false start pushed UH into a third-and-11 from the 25-yard line, Schager's pass attempt was tipped up in the air by Tuasivi Nomura. Phoenix Jackson pulled it out of the air and took it 89 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 20-3 lead with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Hawai'i got its offense going once again. But on fourth-and-9, Fresno State appeared to end the drive. A pass breakup by Cam Lockridge though was deemed to be targeting, extending the drive. Three plays later, Schager made it 20-14 with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with nine minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs were forced to punt from their own 43-yard line on the next drive. Hawai'i moved the ball into Fresno State's end but just after the two-minute timeout, Jackson punched the ball loose and Jadyen Davis recovered the fumble.

Following two rushes, a sack on third-and-5 left the 'Dogs punting for the seventh consecutive drive, this time from its own end zone.

UH started their final drive at the Fresno State 47-yard line. On fourth-and-10 at the 18, Nomura was whistled for pass interference in the end zone, moving the ball to the 3-yard line. Three plays later, Schager hit Cenacle for the go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds left.

UP NEXT
Fresno State travels to Air Force next Saturday. Kickoff at Falcon Stadium is set for 6:45 p.m. PT and will broadcast on FS1.

Bulldogs stall against Hawai'i

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Team Stats

Mikey Keene

Players Mentioned

Elijah Gilliam

Phoenix Jackson

Mikey Keene

Malachi Langley

Cam Lockridge

Tuasivi Nomura