It wasn’t a perfect night but the Bulldogs did just enough to secure the Valley Trophy for the third straight season. Thanks to a staunch defense and a standout game from kicker Manaki Watanabe, Fresno State defeated rival San Jose State 26-10 on Saturday night in Silicon Valley.
“I don’t know how many picks we ended up having, but I know it was enough that helped us win. You know, there’s some things that we have to address,” Head Coach Matt Entz in his opening remarks to the media after the game.
Watanabe nailed four field goals, including two from 51+ yards, a week after becoming the first Bulldog kicker to ever make a 50+ yard FG in their Bulldog debut.
“We knew that when we crossed the 50, they would start to heat things up a little bit defensively. There’d be a little more pressure, a little more man coverage. But when you have someone who’s comfortable, and what’s that, 3x 50-yarders already this year that he’s hit? You know, it is comforting. Of course, I want touchdowns. Field goals are good enough to get you beat, right? They don’t, and they don’t beat anyone. But we needed them at times tonight. Just if we end every series with a kick, we’ll be okay,” Entz said.
With the win, Fresno State has won the rivalry game over the Spartans three times in a row now, something not lost on Entz.
“The Bulldogs are the team of the Valley. Period. Doesn’t matter if it’s the San Joaquin or the Sacramento Valley. We’re it, and we want to make sure that people know that,” Entz said.
The Fresno State defense held San Jose State to 335 yards and forced five sacks and four interceptions.
“I had to go against them in fall camp for a month, so I know how it feels for that other quarterback. They’re pretty good…credit to the defense; they kept us in that game,” Quarterback Jayden Mandal said postgame.
Key players
- Josiah Freeman (FS): 6 receptions, 95 yards, TD
- Ethan Tierney (FS): 1 tackle, 2 interceptions
- K’Vion Thunderbird (FS): 10 tackles, sack
- Jabari Bates (SJSU): 19 carries, 94 yards
- Anthony Ivey (SJSU): 7 receptions, 150 yards
What happened
Fresno State’s offense came out flat in the first quarter again on Saturday, beginning with a three-and-out. The Spartans responded with a moderate attack: Quarterback Luke Weaver finding wide receiver Cooper Hoch open for 18 yards and a first. Jabari Bates would run four times for 10 yards. He also had a 8-yard catch. A third down stop from K’Vion Thunderbird and Logan Goodspeed forced a Spartans field goal from Trent Carrizosa (45-yards).
Jayden Mandal found a connection with Josiah Freeman early in the second drive with a pair of first down completions. Fresno State kicker Manaki Watanabe missed left from 44 yards out.
The Bulldogs got the ball back on the 49-yard line early in the second quarter and had a pair of big plays from Rayshon Luke and Ezekiel Avit. But two offensive line penalties limited the Bulldogs from going any further. Watanabe redeemed himself with a 52-yarder.
Taking over with less than a minute and half left in the second quarter, Mandal found Avit open on the right side of the field for 27 yards. The Bulldogs didn’t get much else but they got far enough to get into the Watanabe zone – who nailed it from 51 yards (his third 50+ yard FG in two weeks).
The Spartans took over and a pair of 19 yard passes from Weaver to wide receiver Anthony Ivey had them at the Fresno State 31. Weaver went for it again, this time Bulldog safety Ethan Tierney was there and intercepted the ball in the end zone for the second straight season. Fresno State went into the half leading 6-3.
The defense for Fresno State came out strong to begin the second half, forcing a three and out. Jordan Malau’ulu then returned the punt for 68 yards. A few plays later, Mandal threw over shoulder to the right corner of the end zone finding Freeman who muscled his way to the ball for an 18-yard touchdown. The extra point gave the Bulldogs a 13-3, one they wouldn’t lose.
San Jose came out firing in the fourth quarter. Bates ran for a season best 26 yards, followed by another four yard carry. Weaver then found Ivey, his favorite target of the night, open for 28 yards to put them at the three. Fresno State forced a fourth down on the one yard line but after a timeout, Weaver found Carson Clark open on the right side for a touchdown to make it 13-10 with 12:36 left.
Mandal found Freeman open for a pair of first down completions the following drive to set up another field goal from Watanabe. Freeman finished the night with six receptions for 95 yards and a score.
The defense forced three interceptions in the final 16 minutes of the game, including a second from Tierney (Kiontre Harris + Simeon Harris).
“I talked to him at halftime about keeping his head up, missed a tackle early on a little bit of a bubble play down as the ball was going right to left from our sideline. But you know, our guys executed. It was man free. We talked him into throwing it deep because he thought it was too high and thought he had an isolation throw on the perimeter. And it was a great job by Ethan. But you know, he’s just a football player. He’s around the facility all the time. A lot of our guys are. I think our guys really enjoy playing for each other,” Entz said.
A Bryson Donelson late 36-yard TD run was all the Bulldogs needed to seal the deal, capturing a third straight Trophy hoisting.
Mandal finished the night 15-for-29, with 186 yards and the score. More importantly, zero turnovers. The redshirt junior also ran the ball nine times for 46 yards.
“Whatever it takes to win. Honestly, we knew we kind of had an advantage with that kind of quarterback draw play, and we just kind of went to it. That’s what was working,” Mandal said.
Injury update
Left tackle Brayden Walton (left foot) went down in the first quarter and right tackle Rolan Fullwood (returned on the next drive) went down in the third quarter, dealing a devastating blow to the Fresno State offensive line which is already missing Jonah Leaupepetele and Edward Fonua.
“You have to prepare for these moments, and that’s why we double rep. You guys have seen how we practice. Next man up mentality,” Entz said.
Wide receiver Harold Duvall (arm) missed his second straight game.
What’s next
Fresno State returns home to Valley Children’s Stadium for its fourth and final non-conference game to host Rice next Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Bulldogs will begin Pac-12 conference play on the road in Pullman on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Washington State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Recap written by Al Scott, photos by Ryan Sepulveda.