Fresno State-Purdue Postgame Notes

Captains: Levelle Bailey, Devo Bridges, Erik Brooks, Mose Vavao
Toss: Purdue won the toss, defers

Team Notes

Fresno State defeated a current Big Ten opponent for the first time since 2013 (Rutgers).
Fresno State’s win was its first on the road against a Big Ten opponent since Dec. 5, 2009 at Illinois (53-52).
Fresno State won its season opener on the road for the first time since 2008.
Fresno State won its 41st game all-time against a current Power 5 opponent.
The Bulldogs have defeated a Power 5 opponent in each of the last three seasons.
Fresno State won its 10th-straight game, a mark that is the third-longest active winning streak in the FBS.
Fresno State had its first successful 2-point conversion in a game since Oct. 29, 2022 (vs San Diego State)
Fresno State gave up an 84-yard touchdown on Purdue’s opening drive. It was the longest play given up by Fresno State since 2020.
Fresno State out-gained Purdue 487-363 in total yards. The ‘Dogs out-gained the Boilermakers both through the air (371-254) and on the ground (116-109) and in time of possession (36:33-23:27).
Fresno State was 11-of-17 on third downs while holding Purdue to 3-of-12.

Offense Notes

In his 17th career game, Mikey Keene recorded a career-high 360 yards passing. His previous high was 229 yards, twice in 2021 while with UCF.
Keene became the first Fresno State quarterback to pass for over 300 yards in their first start dating back to at least 1997.
The 366 yards was the most by a Bulldog quarterback since Jake Haener’s 394 on Oct. versus San Diego State.
Keene’s 70 percent passing was the highest by a Bulldog quarterback in their first start since Marcus McMaryion versus Nevada on Sept. 9, 2017.
Erik Brooks scored the first touchdown of 2023 for Fresno State, a 29-yard reception from Keene. It was the sixth of his career and fourth against a P5 opponent.
Brooks registered his first career 100-yard receiving game.
Brooks finished with 170 yards receiving. His previous high was 89 at USC on Sept. 17, 2022.
Brooks’ 170 yards is the most by a Bulldog since Jalen Cropper (202) on Nov. 14, 2020 at Utah State
WR Jalen Moss got his first career start.
Moss scored his first career touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Keene in the second quarter
Jaelen Gill caught his first touchdown as a Bulldog, an 18-yard pass from Keene in the third quarter.
Elijah Gilliam rushed for a career-high 93 yards on 20 carries. He entered the day with 101 yards rushing on 17 attempts in his career.

Defense Notes

Safety Dean Clark got his first career start as a Bulldog.
Clark led the Bulldogs in his debut with seven tackles.
Levelle Bailey and Carlton Johnson led the team with two pass breakups apiece.
Safety Camryn Bracha saw his first play action as a Bulldog, finishing the game with one tackle.

Special Teams Notes

Dylan Lynch made a career long 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
It was the longest made field goal by a Bulldog kicker since Kevin Goessling’s 52-yarder versus Illinois on Dec. 2, 2010.
It was the first field goal of 50+ yards by a Bulldog kicker since Jimmy Camacho’s 50-yarder versus San Jose State on Oct. 7, 2017.

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