Fresno State-San Diego State Postgame Notes

Captains: Rolan Fullwood, Rayshon Luke, K’vion Thunderbird
Toss: SDSU wins, defers

Team Notes

San Diego State won its third-straight game in the series with the Bulldogs, keeping possession of the Old Oil Can since 2023.
Fresno State has not won on the road at San Diego State since 2021.
The one-possession loss was the closest loss for the Bulldogs in the series since 2011 (35-28).
Fresno State has lost back-to-back games for only the second time under Matt Entz.
Fresno State had only 276 yards of total offense on Saturday, its fewest against a non-ranked opponent this season. The Bulldogs are 0-2 this season and 2-4 under Entz when totaling under 300 yards of offense.
The Bulldogs had possession for 31:34. It was the Bulldogs’ first loss of the season when winning the time of possession, and second time under Entz (12-2).
Fresno State’s opponent scored first for the fourth time this season.
Fresno State gave up a 67-yard rush late in the game. It was the fourth-longest play allowed to an opponent this season, but the only one over 50 yards that did not result in a touchdown.
Fresno State also gave up a 52-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. It was the second-longest pass play allowed to an opponent this season.
Fresno State was shutout in the first quarter for the fifth time this season.
Fresno State allowed three sacks in the first quarter alone. It was their most in a game since the season opener at USC (5).
Fresno State surrendered six sacks on Saturday, the most in a game since Sept. 16, 2023 at Arizona State.
Fresno State scored on all three of its red-zone trips.
The Bulldogs trailed at halftime for the fourth time this season.
Fresno State is 11-2 under Matt Entz when leading after the third quarter.

Offense Notes:

RB Bryson Donelson scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season, and 13th of his career.
Donelson was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher with 62 yards on 13 carries.
RB Julius Gillick scored two rushing touchdowns on Saturday, his first career game with multiple scores.
QB Jayden Mandal completed 13-of-25 pass attempts for 141 yards.
Mandal extended his streak of pass attempts without an interception to 180, tying Derek Carr (2013) for sixth all-time.
Mandal was sacked a season-high six times.
Mandal didn’t have a passing touchdown for the third time this season.
WR Ezekiel Avit had the longest play of the day for the Bulldogs with a 29-yard reception.
WR Keynan Cotton saw his first career start
OL Jonah Leaupepetele made his return from injury suffered in the season opener at USC. Leaupepetele started at right guard.

Defense Notes:

LB K’vion Thunderbird led the team with nine tackles. It was his sixth time leading the Bulldogs in tackles this year, and fifth-straight game.
Thunderbird also added 1.0 TFL.
DB Jaden Carrillo earned his first career start.
Carrillo finished with a career-high eight tackles, finishing second on the team. He also had 0.5 TFL and a pass breakup.
DB Taylor Powell had his first career sack.
Powell also led the team with 2.0 TFL, a career-high.
DL Dylan Hampsten picked up his second fumble recovery of the season.
DB Croix Stewart saw his most defensive action as a Bulldog, finishing with one tackle and a quarterback hurry.
DL Maverick Noonan had his first career start

Special Teams Notes:

K Manaki Watanabe made his fourth 50-plus yard field goal of the season.
Watanabe has the most 50-yarders by a kicker in a season in program history.
Keynan Cotton recorded his first career kickoff return, becoming the third Bulldog with at least one return this season.

Fresno State Athletics

Fresno State-San Diego State Postgame Notes