Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, October 3
Pullman, WA
6:30 p.m. PT
Fresno State
4-1 , 1-0
26
at
6
Washington State
1-4 , 0-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno St. | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
| Washington St. | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Photo by: Wyatt Bible
10/3/2026 11:00:00 PM | Football
PULLMAN, Wash. – Fresno State held Washington State out of the end zone and scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to earn a 26-6 victory on Saturday night at Gesa Field. Fresno State won its fourth-straight game, and earned a win in its first-ever Pac-12 matchup.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 1-0 Pac-12) allowed just 182 yards of offense, including 30 on the ground, while recording five sacks and forcing two turnovers. Fresno State controlled the ball for nearly 36 minutes and held the Cougars to nine first downs.
Manaki Watanabe connected on four field goals, while Josiah Freeman and Julius Gillick each rushed for a touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Mandal completed 24-of-33 passes for 245 yards without an interception.
How it Happened
After stalling on its first drive, Fresno State opened the scoring with an 11-play, 72-yard drive in the first quarter. Watanabe capped the possession with a 27-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.
Washington State tied the game with a 32-yard field goal midway through the second quarter after recovering a Fresno State fumble near midfield.
The Bulldogs answered with a nine-play, 71-yard drive. Mandal completed passes to Freeman, Dallas Gaius-Anyaegbu and Ezekiel Avit during the possession before Watanabe converted from 22 yards to put Fresno State back in front, 6-3.
Washington State made a 50-yard field goal as time expired to send the teams into halftime tied at six.
Fresno State took control following the break. After the defense forced a three-and-out on Washington State's opening possession, the Bulldogs drove 56 yards in six plays. Freeman finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, giving Fresno State a 13-6 lead with 9:41 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs created another opportunity on Washington State's next offensive play. Deijon Laffitte recovered a fumble at the Cougars' 24-yard line, although Fresno State's ensuing field-goal attempt was blocked.
The defense kept Washington State scoreless throughout the second half, allowing Fresno State to pull away in the fourth quarter. A 38-yard completion from Mandal to Avit moved the Bulldogs into the red zone and set up Watanabe's 31-yard field goal, extending the lead to 16-6 with 11 minutes remaining.
Fresno State's special teams unit pinned Washington State at its own four-yard line later in the quarter. The defense forced a turnover on downs four plays later, and Gillick scored from eight yards out on the Bulldogs' next snap to make it 23-6.
Justin Johnson intercepted Caden Pinnick on Washington State's first play following the touchdown and returned it 15 yards to the Cougars' 20-yard line. Watanabe converted a 33-yard field goal three plays later to complete the scoring.
Up Next
Fresno State hosts No. 22 Boise State at Valley Children's Stadium next Saturday for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on The CW.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 1-0 Pac-12) allowed just 182 yards of offense, including 30 on the ground, while recording five sacks and forcing two turnovers. Fresno State controlled the ball for nearly 36 minutes and held the Cougars to nine first downs.
Manaki Watanabe connected on four field goals, while Josiah Freeman and Julius Gillick each rushed for a touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Mandal completed 24-of-33 passes for 245 yards without an interception.
How it Happened
After stalling on its first drive, Fresno State opened the scoring with an 11-play, 72-yard drive in the first quarter. Watanabe capped the possession with a 27-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.
Washington State tied the game with a 32-yard field goal midway through the second quarter after recovering a Fresno State fumble near midfield.
The Bulldogs answered with a nine-play, 71-yard drive. Mandal completed passes to Freeman, Dallas Gaius-Anyaegbu and Ezekiel Avit during the possession before Watanabe converted from 22 yards to put Fresno State back in front, 6-3.
Washington State made a 50-yard field goal as time expired to send the teams into halftime tied at six.
Fresno State took control following the break. After the defense forced a three-and-out on Washington State's opening possession, the Bulldogs drove 56 yards in six plays. Freeman finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, giving Fresno State a 13-6 lead with 9:41 remaining in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs created another opportunity on Washington State's next offensive play. Deijon Laffitte recovered a fumble at the Cougars' 24-yard line, although Fresno State's ensuing field-goal attempt was blocked.
The defense kept Washington State scoreless throughout the second half, allowing Fresno State to pull away in the fourth quarter. A 38-yard completion from Mandal to Avit moved the Bulldogs into the red zone and set up Watanabe's 31-yard field goal, extending the lead to 16-6 with 11 minutes remaining.
Fresno State's special teams unit pinned Washington State at its own four-yard line later in the quarter. The defense forced a turnover on downs four plays later, and Gillick scored from eight yards out on the Bulldogs' next snap to make it 23-6.
Justin Johnson intercepted Caden Pinnick on Washington State's first play following the touchdown and returned it 15 yards to the Cougars' 20-yard line. Watanabe converted a 33-yard field goal three plays later to complete the scoring.
Up Next
Fresno State hosts No. 22 Boise State at Valley Children's Stadium next Saturday for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on The CW.
Players Mentioned
WR
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WR
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TE
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RB
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LB
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DL
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QB
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K
/ FootballTeam Stats
FSU
WSU
Total Yards
375
182
Pass Yards
245
152
Rushing Yards
130
30
Penalty Yards
46
49
1st Downs
15
9
3rd Downs
6
3
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
35:59
24:01
1st Quarter
FSU 3, WSU 0
FSU - Watanabe,Manaki 27 yd field goal 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 05:36
2nd Quarter
FSU 3, WSU 3
WSU - Stevens,Jack 32 yd field goal 7 plays, 36 yards, TOP 03:07
FSU 6, WSU 3
FSU - Watanabe,Manaki 22 yd field goal 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:21
FSU 6, WSU 6
WSU - Stevens,Jack 50 yd field goal 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 01:46
3rd Quarter
FSU 13, WSU 6
FSU - Freeman,Josiah 3 yd run (Watanabe,Manaki kick), 6 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:12
4th Quarter
FSU 16, WSU 6
FSU - Watanabe,Manaki 31 yd field goal 5 plays, 45 yards, TOP 02:31
FSU 23, WSU 6
FSU - Gillick,Julius 8 yd run (Watanabe,Manaki kick), 1 plays, 8 yards, TOP 00:06
FSU 26, WSU 6
FSU - Watanabe,Manaki 33 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 00:29
Game Leaders
CMP
24
TD
0
YDS
245
INT
0
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