Utah State ends Fresno State’s MW Championship hopes on Senior night

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — 27 Fresno State seniors were honored in what will be their last game in Valley Children’s Stadium, a sentence we can say now that the Bulldogs are out of Mountain West championship game contention. It was a must-win for the ‘dogs hopes to get back to the title game, somewhere this program hasn’t been since 2022. In the high-stakes, head coach Matt Entz decided to make a swap at the quarterback position. Senior quarterback EJ Warner, who wasn’t honored during pregame for senior night celebrations, got the starting nod against the Aggies. Warner hasn’t started since the loss to Colorado State back on October 10. Sophomore Carson Conklin has started the last three games for the ‘dogs and just passed for his first touchdown as a Bulldog in the win against Wyoming last week. Conklin went without an interception in his last two starts, one reason head Coach Matt Entz cited for benching Warner mid-season. In the first half, Warner threw for 129 yards and one touchdown with no picks. He finished with 167 yards in the air and a touchdown, throwing an interception after one of his passes was tipped up and recovered by the Aggies. It’s the run game that showed up first for Fresno State. Rayshon ‘Speedy’ Luke had a 69-yard rushing touchdown to open scoring in the first quarter. Utah State’s Bryson Barnes drove the Aggies downfield in just three plays, ending the first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown reception. The game would be tied at seven heading into the second quarter. Dylan Lynch puts the Bulldogs up three points after knocking one 30 yards through the uprights. Warner then finds Jahlil McClain deep up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown catch. The score lets the ‘dogs go up 17-7 going into the break. Utah State closes in on the lead with another Barnes TD in the third quarter. Fresno State gets a free possession after senior captain Camryn Bracha punches the ball out leading to a Bulldog fumble recovery, but the momentum is reversed after a pass by Warner is tipped and eventually picked off to end the Bulldogs’ redzone drive. The Aggies close it out with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The final from Valley Children’s Stadium: 28-17. The Bulldogs travel for their final game of the regular season. Fresno State and San Jose State kick off at 7: 30 p. m. on Saturday. For sports updates, follow Sydney Berger on Facebook, X and Instagram.
https://abc30.com/post/utah-state-ends-fresno-states-mw-championship-hopes-senior-night/18197466/