Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State vs. New Mexico Game Notes
Pregame
• Team Captains: Malik Forrester, Aaron Mitchell, Da’Mari Scott and Nathan Madsen.
• Fresno State won the coin toss and elected to defer.
First Quarter
• For the first time this season, the duo of Tank Kelly and Jaron Bryant started at each cornerback spot.
• Mike Bell made his second career start and first of the season (started in season finale in 2016) at free safety.
• At 5:14, New Mexico missed a 44-yard field goal wide left to keep the game knotted at 0-0.
• At 4:30, Fresno State jumped on top 7-0 with a 70-yard strike to Jamire Jordan from Marcus McMaryion – it was the longest play from scrimmage this season, besting Josh Hokit’s pass to Jared Rice in the season opener. It was also the Bulldogs first, first down of the game after running seven plays for 14 yards.
• On the Bulldogs' next possession, McMaryion connected with KeeSean Johnson for 75 yards – a career-long reception – McMaryion's two consecutive throws equaled 2-of-2 for 145 yards.
- The play was a 12-yard touchdown pass to KeeSean for his fourth TD of the season and 12th career.
• Fresno State led 14-0 after the first quarter. Fresno State held the first quarter lead in each of their first three Mountain West game, holding each team scoreless.
Second Quarter
• Marcus McMaryion converted a third-and-17 from the Bulldogs’ 11-yard line scrambling for a career-long 57 yard rush (OSU/FS).
• At 10:26, Ronnie Rivers scored his fifth touchdown of the season, and fourth in the last three games with a four-yard score.
• Josh Hokit’s 27-yard reception around the four-minute mark was a career-long catch.
• Ronnie Rivers committed his first career fumble, giving New Mexico possession at their own 36 with 1:55 left in the half.
HALFTIME
• Marcus McMaryion opened the first half 10-of-13 for 216 yards and 2 TDs. In the first half of McMaryion's first three games as a starter he is 41-of-52 for 621 yards and five TDs.
• KeeSean Johnson logged 105 yards receiving (on five catches) – his third game over 100 yards this season and fourth of his career.
• New Mexico was 0-of-8 on third downs while Fresno State was 1-of-5.
Third Quarter
• James Bailey forced his first-career fumble, which was recovered by Mike Bell – career firsts, respectively. It was the first turnover manufactured by either team.
• A Tank Kelly pass breakup resulted in Mike Bell’s first-career interception to give the 'Dogs the ball at their own 26 after an 18-yard return.
• Jimmy Camacho recorded a 37-yard field goal, moving the ‘Dogs in front 24-0. He is now 11-of-14 on the season.
• Jamire Jordan was on the receiving end of a 32-yard TD from McMaryion; it marked the first time Jordan caught two TDs in a single game in his career.
• Malik Forrester was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct with 0:16 remaining; Forrester will miss the first half on the Bulldogs’ game at San Diego State.
Fourth Quarter
• Josh Hokit capped the Bulldogs scoring with a 12-yard run with 8:05 left. It was his fourth score in 2017.
• Opponents are now 1-for-9 on fourth-down conversions against the Bulldogs following their latest stop, a play from the 3-yard line to preserve the Bulldogs second shutout this season.
• Chason Virgil returned under center for the ‘Dogs for the first time since Fresno State visited Washington on September 16 to close out the game.