Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
0-1 , 0-0
No. 9 Michigan
1-0 , 0-0
‘Dogs play tough but fall to No. 9 Michigan in Ann Arbor
8/31/2024 8:58:00 PM | Football
The final score of the game wasn't completely telling of the Bulldogs' performance as Fresno State's defense held Michigan to only 16 points through 54 minutes of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mikey Keene was intercepted on his second pass attempt of the game on a high ball off the hands of Chedon James. Five plays and 31 yards later, Michigan led 7-0 four minutes into the game.
Following the touchdown, Fresno State's defense held Michigan to just 12 plays during its next four drives, the final three ending in an interception by Cam Lockridge at the 1-yard line, a stop on third-and-inches and a sack by Ezra Christensen on 3-and-11.
The Bulldogs turned the second of the three-and-outs into three points with a 41-yard field goal by Dylan Lynch with 7:35 remaining in the half. The Wolverines pushed their advantage back to seven at 10-3 with an 11-play drive which resulted in a 45-yard field goal for Dominic Zvada just before halftime.
Michigan's lead stood at 16-3 with 12 minutes left in the game behind two more field goals from Zvada (53, 55). Fresno State answered in less than three minutes after Zvada's 55-yarder, finding the end zone. Keene linked up with Raylen Sharpe for a pitch-and-catch outside the left hash and the newcomer used his legs to get the final 13 yards of the 19-yard score.
The Wolverines responded with a 7-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to extend their advantage back to 13 at 23-10 with 5:43 on the clock. The Bulldogs looked to answer right back, moving the ball to the Michigan 10-yard line following a plethora of Wolverine penalties, but on first-and-10, Keene was intercepted for the second time and saw it returned for an 86-yard touchdown by Will Johnson.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will host Sacramento State next Saturday in its home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT at Valley Children's Stadium.
Team Stats
FS 0, UoM 7
UoM - Edwards,Donovan 3 yd pass from Orji,Alex (Zvada,Dominic kick) 5 plays, 31 yards, TOP 02:28
FS 3, UoM 7
FS - Lynch,Dylan 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 38 yards, TOP 03:23
FS 3, UoM 10
UoM - Zvada,Dominic 45 yd field goal 11 plays, 47 yards, TOP 06:56
FS 3, UoM 13
UoM - Zvada,Dominic 53 yd field goal 10 plays, 38 yards, TOP 05:32
FS 3, UoM 16
UoM - Zvada,Dominic 55 yd field goal 9 plays, 26 yards, TOP 03:28
FS 10, UoM 16
FS - Sharpe,Raylen 16 yd pass from Keene,Mikey (Lynch,Dylan kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:36
FS 10, UoM 23
UoM - Loveland,Colston 18 yd pass from Warren,Davis (Zvada,Dominic kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:17
FS 10, UoM 30
UoM - Johnson,Will 86 yd interception (Zvada,Dominic kick)
