FRESNO -- Fresno State completed the epic fourth-quarter comeback against San Diego State, scoring 15 points in the final quarter with two touchdowns in a 13-second span within the final 70 seconds. Fresno State keeps possession of the Old Oil Can with a 32-28 win over the Aztecs on Saturday night at Valley Children's Stadium.
The Bulldogs won their third-straight game and moved to 4-4 on the season with a 3-1 record in Mountain West play and an opportunity still ahead for a chance at the Mountain West championship game.
The highlight of the night was the return of senior captains quarterback Jake Haener and defensive back Evan Williams as they came back from injuries suffered at USC on Sept. 17. Haener finished the game with 394 yards and three touchdowns while completing 76 percent of pass attempts (34-of-45). Williams finished the game second on the team with eight tackles, a broken-up pass, and a quarterback hurry.
Wide receiver Zane Pope had a career-high night with ten receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. Pope was also responsible for the Bulldogs' onside kick recovery and the successful two-point conversion.
How It Happened
Receiving the opening kickoff, the Bulldogs wasted little time getting the offense going with the return of quarterback Jake Haener going on a 13-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 35-yard field goal by Abraham Montano.
San Diego State quickly answered back with a nine-play, 82-yard drive that saw Aztec quarterback Jalen Mayden get free for a 28-yard touchdown that put the Aztecs ahead 7-3.
The Aztecs extended their lead to 14-3 after a six-play, 74-yard drive ended with Mayden connecting with Kenan Christon for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
The 'Dogs responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was keyed by a 29-yard pass from Haener to Jalen Moreno-Cropper and was completed with a 21-yard touchdown toss from Haener to Nikko Remigio to cut the Aztecs' lead down to 14-10.
After the 'Dogs forced an Aztec fumble but were unable to get anything going offensively, SDSU put together their third 70-yard plus drive of the first half on their next drive scoring on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Mayden for a 21-10 lead at the break.
The second half started with the teams trading interceptions before an SDSU touchdown toss by Mayden put the Aztecs in front, 28-10, as they marched eight plays and 80 yards ending with a seven-yard score to Jesse Matthews.
With the 'Dogs looking to get back on track, they were forced to punt, but a muff by the Aztecs allowed the Bulldogs to gain another life, taking over at the SDSU 10-yard line. Two plays later, Haener connected with Zane Pope in the left corner of the end zone to pull the 'Dogs within 28-17.
The Bulldogs kept the comeback bid alive with a late touchdown with a three-yard run by Jordan Mims, and a two-point conversion from Haener to Pope brought the 'Dogs within three at 28-25.
Needing to recover an onside kick, the 'Dogs did just that and, on the next play, proceeded to score the go-ahead touchdown as Haener connected with Remigio for a 37-yard touchdown to push the Bulldogs in front, 32-28.
Holding a four-point lead with 50 seconds left, the 'Dogs Carlton Johnson nabbed the game-sealing interception at the Fresno State 30-yard line, and after a pair of kneel downs, the Oil Can remains in Fresno for a second straight season.
Up Next -- Fresno State will play its second-straight game at home, hosting Hawai'i (2-7, 1-3 MW) on Saturday, Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV.
All Photes by Bebe Salazar
