Led by a relentless defense, Fresno State finishes the 2025 season at 9-4 with an 18-3 win over the RedHawks of Miami (OH) in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. With the win, Head Coach Matt Entz joins Jeff Tedford as the only first year coaches with a bowl win in program history.
Senior corner Jakari Embry said via Instagram on Friday he “wanted that feeling again” after watching a highlight of his week two Pick-6 at Oregon State. Well he got that feeling back on Saturday, picking up an his second interception of the season and a key second-quarter fumble recovery that shifted the momentum of the game.
“I needed that interception. Just once I seen that video, it just brought back the feeling that I got from that moment. And I just was telling myself all yesterday that, like when I step on this field. I’m not leaving without anything,” Embry said.
That joy was evident in the final minutes of the game as he and teammate Deijon Laffitte were seen dancing on the sidelines.
While the victory and partying it up with Snoop Dogg was a great, Embry noted that his favorite moment of the weekend was the bonding that was shared.
“This was my first time spending the holidays without my family. At first, I didn’t know what to expect,” Embry said. “When you’re not with your family, you want to be with the football team.”
Wide receiver Josiah Freeman concurred with Embry, pointing to the brotherhood shared as something he’ll never forget.
“Just the memories you create. We weren’t home for the holidays, but we’re with some of our best friends, our close friends that went on for the rest of our life in the whole town, cracking jokes, all activities we’ve done. So we all never take it for granted, because we know this opportunity is real special for us,” Freeman said.
Entz made sure to give the two seniors praise after the game, “These guys are what’s right about college football right now,” Entz said. “These two young men up here are great representatives of what we have in a locker room full of tremendous competitors, great character, people you want to be around.”
Entz said that he was pleased with the season’s results but admits there is always room for improvement.
“Like I said, nine wins isn’t easy. Probably thought I should we should have won a couple more,” Entz said. “But we’re gonna enjoy this one.”
He added that he’s grateful for the experiences he’s made in his first year leading the Bulldogs.
“Sometimes I think I needed Fresno more than it needed me,” Entz said.
Key Players
- Jakari Embry (FS): 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
- Josiah Freeman (FS): 7 catches, 152 total yards
- E.J. Warner (FS): 16-for-23, 214 passing yards, 1 TD
- Dylan Lynch (FS): 4-for-5 field goals
- Eli Blakey (Miami): 13 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Malcolm McClain (Miami): 13 tackles, 1 TFL
What Happened
After getting a stop, Miami (OH) quickly moved up the field with a pair of runs from running back Keith Reynolds for 32 and 9 yards apiece. The drive was cut short thanks to a Julius Gandy sack and a wild throw from RedHawks quarterback Thomas Gotkowski. Lou Groza award semifinalist Dom Dzioban nailed a 33-yard field goal.
After another three-and-out by the Bulldogs offense, Gotkowski took a shot down the left side of the field for Kam Perry, only to be intercepted by Fresno State cornerback Jakari Embry.
The Bulldogs best drive in the first half came early in the second quarter, spanning 15 plays for 82 yards, but resulted in a Dylan Lynch field goal after falling short in the red zone. The following drive had the same result, with the Bulldogs ending up inside the RedHawks 10 yard line, only to have to settle for a Lynch field goal.
Miami (OH) got the ball down to the Fresno State 25 yard line, threatening to take a lead before linebacker Jadon Pearson knocked the football loose from RedHawks running back Jordan Brunson, picked up by Embry.
E.J. Warner immediately found Josiah Freeman over the middle for a long 47-yard completion. Warner then found Ezekiel Avit open down the right side of the field for a 20 yard gain, giving the ‘Dogs the ball on the Miami (OH) 16-yard line with a minute remaining. Freeman finished with seven catches for 143 yards in his final game as a Bulldog. He spoke after the game on what it meant to come back.
“Coming off injury last year. I know what I wanted to do this season,” Freeman said. “I really liked how {Coach} embraced the tradition of Bulldog football. He didn’t shy away from it.”
After a pair of four yard gains, Fresno State opted to run the clock down and settle again for a Lynch field goal instead of going for six, taking a 9-3 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs defense opened the second half with a stop, leading to a drive that looked very familiar to the three second quarter drives. Warner rolled out and found Freeman open on the right side, who swerved through the RedHawks defense for a 51-yard gain. The Bulldogs offense fell flat again in the red zone though. Lynch’s 28-yard field goal attempt missed just left though, giving Miami (OH) the ball back on Fresno State’s 20-yard line.
Fresno State took over again late in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-short, Warner scrambled up the middle for a first down. He began the fourth quarter connecting with true freshman Harold Duvall for a 17-yard gain. On the goal line later in the drive, Warner rolled out to his right to find a wide open Richie Anderson for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 15-3 lead (missed 2-PT conversion) with 11:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The defense held on in the fourth quarter and limited the RedHawks defense to just 192 yards of total offense. Fresno State also forced two turnovers in addition to a blocked punt on special teams to win 18-3.
“We’re family. We all know that we got each others back,” Embry said. “Once you know that the person next to you is like, ‘you’re better,’ you’re gonna do everything you can to not let them down.”
Transfer Portal
The following players have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, which opens on Jan. 2 and runs for two weeks (last updated Dec. 27):
- Quarterback Brayden Turner (4 years of eligibility remaining)
- Wide Receiver Josiah Ayon (1 year)
- Defensive Lineman Jack Metzler (3 years)
- EDGE Damarrion White (4 years)
- EDGE Isiah Chala Jr. (3 years)
- Linebacker Tim Thomas (2 years)
- Safety Jayden Davis (1 year)
- Safety RL Miller (2 years)
What’s Next
Fresno State football returns next season with four non-conference games in September of 2026, beginning with a road matchup at USC on Sept. 5th.
They will also host Sacramento State (9/12), play at San Jose State (9/19) and welcome Rice (9/26) to Valley Children’s Stadium before beginning PAC-12 play.
For more coverage of all Fresno State sports, follow Al Scott or Fresno Sports Magazine on Twitter (X). You can also follow on Instagram.
Game recap written by Al Scott, cover photo courtesy of Fresno State.