FRESNO – Overcoming a sluggish start in the first half, Fresno State used four second-half touchdowns to ease to a 31-13 victory over San Jose State on Senior Day at Bulldog Stadium. Fresno State (10-2, 7-1 MW) totaled 515 yards of offense with 326 of that coming in the second half as the Bulldogs scored 28 of their 31 points over their final 30 minutes.
Marcus McMaryion and KeeSean Johnson sparked the offense during the second half as McMaryion went 11-of-12 for 242 yards and two touchdowns with Johnson catching six of those passes for 165 yards and one of McMaryion's two TD throws.
McMaryion totaled 347 yards offense in his final start at Bulldog Stadium, passing for 317 yards on 20-of-29 attempts and added 30 rushing yards. Johnson finished with a career-high 173 receiving yards on seven receptions while scoring on a 31-yard touchdown in the third quarter to become the program's all-time leader in receiving yards passing former Bulldog wideout Charlie Jones. On the ground, the Bulldogs totaled 198 yards as sophomore running back Ronnie Rivers led the way with 92 yards on 17 carries. Jordan Mims added 55 yards on eight carries and scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs limited San Jose State (1-11, 1-7 MW) to 60 rushing yards and 367 total yards. Junior defensive end Mykal Walker led the way for the second time time this season, recording eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries while Arron Mosby put the game away scoring the Bulldogs final touchdown with a 95-yard pick-six with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
How It Happened
After a scoreless first quarter, SJSU looked to be the first team on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter after completing an 18-yard pass from quarterback Michael Carrillo to wide receiver Tre Walker that set up a 4th-and-1 at the Fresno State 30-yard line, but the 'Dogs came up with a key defensive stop by Mike Bell to get the Bulldogs the ball back. The 'Dogs capitalized on the turnover-on-downs with a 13-play, 54-yard drive that took the ball down to the Spartans 15-yard line to set up a 32-yard field goal by Asa Fuller to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0 at halftime. Despite only three points, the Bulldogs registered 189 yards offense to the Spartans' 130.
The third quarter saw the Bulldogs' offense catch fire scoring a pair of touchdowns. The first came on a quick five-play, 77-yard drive in 1:49 that used a 17-yard run by Mims and a 45-yard pass from McMaryion to Johnson to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Mims. Fresno State extended its lead to 17-0 on its next offensive drive using back-to-back receptions by Johnson, one for 37 yards which was then followed by a 31-yard touchdown.
On the first play of fourth quarter, the Spartans answered back breaking up the Bulldogs' shutout bid with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Carrillo to running back Malike Roberson that cut the lead to 17-7.
Fresno State then made it three straight offensive drives with a touchdown, going on a six-play, 78-yard drive, that was capped by an 18-yard pass from McMaryion to Rivers to put the 'Dogs ahead 24-7 with 11:59 to go in the game.
After the Bulldogs' second turnover of the game, a fumble by running back Josh Hokit, it gave the Spartans the ball back at their own 25-yard line, the Spartans drove the ball 66 yards in four plays before Mosby picked off a Carrillo pass at the Fresno State 5-yard line and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, the longest interception return for a touchdown by a Bulldog since 2004.
SJSU added one final touchdown on its last offensive drive with a four-yard touchdown pass from Carrillo to Walker to make it the final score 31-13.
Quotables
Tedford on the senior class…
"It first came down to trust and confidence. We wanted to build their trust up after having gone through a really hard time. When you have a new coaching staff come in and you have no idea who they are, trust is a big deal and it doesn't happen overnight. The process of how we handle our business everyday wasn't always easy. I tip my hat off to them for believing and trusting the process. They just kept working. I think they were driven because of the unfortunate circumstances they were in before, after only winning one game. They made a true commitment and not just on the field, they have been great in the classroom and they handle themselves with class and integrity. I am really proud of these guys for how hard they work and how they come to work everyday and how they project themselves."
McMaryion on back-to-back seasons with 10 wins…
"It's huge. It gives us the recognition not only in the Mountain West, but all over the country. It shows it wasn't a fluke, Fresno State football is on its way back."
Helmuth on the second half…
"On defense, we were getting looks that we practiced all week. We didn't really want to change up what we were doing, because we thought we had a good half. We just needed to keep grinding until the offense got it going."
Johnson on becoming the program's all-time leader in career receiving yards…
"I didn't realize I broke the record until after I came to the sideline and someone told me. It hasn't sunk in yet, I don't think it'll sink in until my career is over. It's a great accomplishment and I feel grateful for my teammates. They come in everyday and make me better."
Notables
- In its 82nd all-time contest, Fresno State increased its series lead over San Jose State to 42-37-3. It is the longest running series the Bulldogs have with any opponent.
- Fresno State retained the Valley Trophy after taking it back in 2017. Since the trophy's inception in 2013, the Bulldogs are 3-for-6 in staking claim of the trophy.
- By outscoring San Jose State 14-0 in third quarter, Fresno State is now outscoring opponents 147-21 in the third quarter this season.
- Fresno State earned its 10th win on Saturday; it marks back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins – the second time in school history the Bulldogs have posted back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins (1988-89).
- Now with 3,390 career receiving yards, KeeSean Johnson became Fresno State's all-time leader in career receiving yards, surpassing Charlie Jones' record of 3,344 that stood since 1995.
- Marcus McMaryion completed 91.6 percent of his passes in the second half going 11-of-12. McMaryion was 20-of-29 passing in the game (69%).
- Jared Rice surpassed Bear Pascoe's program best single season record by a tight end of single season receptions and receiving yards. Pascoe had 45 receptions for 553 yards in 2007. With Rice's three catches for 49 yards, he now has 50 receptions for 580 yards through 12 games in 2018.
- With wins by Minnesota and Wyoming on Saturday, Fresno State finished the regular season facing seven bowl eligible teams. The Bulldogs went 5-2 in those games. (Wins-Toledo, Nevada, Wyoming, Hawaii and San Diego State/Losses-Minnesota and Boise State).
Up next
Fresno State will play Boise State for the second consecutive season in the Mountain West championship game next Saturday at 4:45 p.m. PT on ESPN.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
MORE PHOTOS AT FACEBOOK.COM/BIGVALLEYNEWS
All Photos by Jack W Porter, Jr.