Fresno State extends win streak, setting up big game at UNLV. But will injuries hinder ‘Dogs?
The Fresno State football team came into New Mexico injured.
The Bulldogs left a bit more banged up, too.
Yet despite health issues rocking the lineup — starting running back Malik Sherrod missed Saturday's game and defensive back Camryn Bracha got injured midway through the Mountain West conference opener — Fresno State plugged in different players and maintained enough steadiness to win a third straight game.
Fresno State's defense, a week after forcing five turnovers, followed with two interceptions and one forced fumble, and quarterback Mikey Keene played a turnover-free game for a second straight week as the Bulldogs beat the Lobos 38-21 from University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M.
The game was played before an announced crowd of 18,019.
Since falling to defending national champion Michigan 30-10 in the season opener, Fresno State (3-1, 1-0) has outscored its past three opponents a combined 132-51.
Granted, the Bulldogs' past three opponents — New Mexico (0-4), New Mexico State (1-3) and FCS program Sacramento State (2-2) — likely will end up being the least challenging stretch of football on Fresno State's schedule.
But the winning streak does give Fresno State players confidence leading into next week's important showdown at UNLV. The Rebels, who were on a bye this weekend, are off to a 3-0 start for the first time in 40 years following wins against Houston, Utah Tech and Kansas.
Question remains whether Sherrod or Bracha will be back for next week.
Sherrod sat out Saturday's game with an injury — a week after rushing for 113 yards and averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
Bracha suffered an injury with about 10 minutes remaining and did not return.
In Sherrod's absence, Fresno State's running game mustered just 2.8 rushing yards on 33 carries. But the Bulldogs still scored twice on the ground. Perhaps more importantly, the offensive back field did not commit any turnovers.
Senior Elijah Gilliam finished with a team-high 18 carries for 54 yards and one touchdown. True freshman Bryson Donelson chipped in eight carries for 32 yards and one touchdown.
Keene, meanwhile, completed 26 of 33 passes (78.8%) for 226 yards and one touchdown.
Fresno State also scored a passing touchdown through a little trickery with receiver Raylen Sharpe executing a double pass for a 26-yard touchdown to tight end Kamron Beachem. It was the junior's first touchdown of his career.
Bracha had four tackles and pass breakup before his departure.
Al'zillion Hamilton and Julian Neal each had an interception for the Bulldogs, and teammate Malachi Langley had the forced fumble.
Fresno State avenged a 25-17 loss to New Mexico last year. But the reality was the Bulldogs were facing a completely different team this time around with the Lobos having added 42 transfers (second most in the nation) under first-year coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Fresno State's own first-year coach Tim Skipper, meanwhile, continues to put on a good audition early on in hopes of keeping the Bulldogs head coaching gig.
The next two game, though, could truly help gauge how the Bulldogs are developing and playing under Skipper.
At the moment, not only is Fresno State's next opponent in UNLV (3-0) undefeated, and so is Fresno State's following opponent in Washington State (4-0).
