Las Vegas, Nevada

The Fresno State Bulldogs suffered a humiliating 59-14 loss to the UNLV Rebels, falling to 3-2 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.

This game felt like it was over before it even began, as UNLV came out with a point to prove after quarterback Matthew Sluka decided to redshirt the rest of the year due to an NIL dispute earlier this week. However, Sluka leaving seemed not to be a problem for the Rebels as his backup, Hajj-Malik Williams, had a great game, accounting for four total touchdowns and throwing only three incompletions.

Here’s our recap of the Bulldogs’ crushing loss to UNLV on Saturday.

First Quarter

14:21 – On the second play of the game, Fresno State third-string quarterback Joshua Wood was out of the pistol. Two tight ends shifted to his right and on play action, he forced a throw deep into double coverage intended for wide receiver Mac Dalena, and it was intercepted by UNLV cornerback Cam Oliver.

6:20 – After trading four punts in a row following an 18-yard punt return by Jacob De Jesus, UNLV found themselves starting the drive with excellent field position. It only took three plays as Williams ran it into the end zone off the triple option untouched, as the Scarlet and Grey drew first blood leading 7-0.

0:27 – As the first quarter was winding down, UNLV’s Rashod Tanner ran straight through a gap in the middle and blocked freshman Clay Lawrence’s punt as Ricky White returned it for a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs had -19 rushing yards as Fresno State found themselves in a 14-0 hole.

Second Quarter

12:16 – At the start of the second quarter, the Bulldogs looked like they were about to get on the board, but a costly holding call by offensive lineman Daniel Tamulallo forced Fresno State to punt.

8:38 – Off a read option, running back Kylin James flipped the field on a massive 53-yard gain. However, Fresno State’s defense held up strong inside the 10, stopping the Rebels’ offense on fourth and goal at the 1.

5:29 – The Bulldogs were moving the ball downfield effortlessly when, just as they seemed to be gaining momentum, Mikey Keene threw an untimely interception to safety Jonathan Baldwin, who did an amazing job reading Keene’s eyes and making a great play on the ball.

1:57 – Williams continued his impressive first half with a 12-yard strike to Ricky White off an RPO.

0:37 – With half a minute left, Fresno State was yet again in UNLV territory. The Bulldogs had a chance to end their nightmare first half on a positive note, but yet again, Fresno State turned the ball over. Rebels cornerback Jalen Catalon made a great play on the ball for an interception to cap off a dominant first half for the UNLV Rebels.

Third Quarter

12:48 – The Rebels picked up right where they left off in the second half as it only took their offense five plays to score. On a bootleg, Williams rolled to the right and threw the pigskin across the field to his left side to 6’6″ tight end Kaleo Ballungy for a 17-yard touchdown as UNLV extended its lead to 28-0.

10:09 – On the ensuing drive on 4th and 14, it was already desperation time for Fresno State only five minutes into the third quarter. UNLV’s defense played excellent coverage as Keene’s pass was incomplete, intended for Josiah Freeman. UNLV’s offense would start another drive in excellent field position.

6:52 – Rebels freshman kicker Caden Chittenden nailed a 45-yard field goal as UNLV grew their lead to 31-0 midway through the third quarter.

2:33 – Fresno State was moving the ball downfield yet again but finally finished their drive off with points after a UNLV scoop and score was overturned due to an illegal block by Rebels’ Jackson Woodard. Mailk Sherrod ran it in for a touchdown as the Bulldogs got on the board and cut into UNLV’s massive lead with two minutes left, 31-7.

Fourth Quarter

14:52 – On the first play of the fourth quarter off the RPO, Hajj-Malik Williams threw a short screen pass to Ricky White, White made a couple of men miss, as his big day continued, scoring his third touchdown of the game. 38-7 UNLV.

13:00 – On the following drive, Fresno couldn’t get their offense going as their drive stalled out, giving the ball right back to UNLV’s explosive offense.

11:04 – UNLV continued to show no mercy as, at the 7-yard line, Rebels offensive coordinator Brennan Marion called a jet sweep to running back Jai’Den Thomas, who ran it in for another UNLV touchdown. UNLV extended its lead even more to 45-7.

6:36 – Yet again, UNLV brought pressure to Mikey Keene, who rolled to his left and connected with Mac Dalena for a 9-yard touchdown; a touchdown that seemed like a lost cause, 45-14 UNLV.

6:24 – On the following play, running back Jai’Den Thomas made a couple of men miss as he broke off into the open field. He ran it in for a 90-yard UNLV touchdown, 52-14. This play just showed what type of game it had been for Fresno State.

5:52 – With Fresno State down 52-14, backup quarterback Jayden Mandal took the field, and on his first throw of the game, threw an interception to safety Jeremiah Vessel. Defensively, UNLV played a soft zone coverage and Vessel read Mandal’s eyes, as the Rebels’ dominant defensive performance continued.

3:10 – UNLV then put in their backup quarterback, Cameron Friel, who ran it in off another UNLV read option from one yard out. As UNLV continued their massacre on Fresno State, now leading 59-14.

1:52 – Fresno State, with nothing to lose now, went for it on fourth down and 3 as third-string quarterback Joshua Wood tried running it to the outside. However, UNLV’s defensive lineman rushed the quarterback and Fresno could not convert. This dominant performance was capped off with a final score of 59-14.

Takeaways:

• Offensively, Fresno State moved the ball downfield well. Turning the ball over a lot resulted in UNLV’s offense consistently having a short field to work with.

• Fresno’s run game couldn’t get going. Playing from behind the whole game, Mikey Keene had to throw the ball more than the team would have hoped for.

• The Bulldogs’ offensive line did not do a great job in run support or in pass protection, as Mikey Keene was running for his life all game long.

• Defensively, Fresno State played sub-optimally at all three levels, as UNLV averaged 6.5 yards per rush. Hajj-Malik Williams played a great game running the ball and throwing it.

• Most of his throws came from RPOs in the middle of the field.

• Fresno’s linebackers and cornerbacks had trouble communicating, leading Ricky White to have ten receptions for 127 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

• Fresno State’s special teams’ miscues didn’t help their cause at all as they gave up a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown and had a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown.

• The Bulldogs will have a lot to talk about and fix in their bye week next week. Fresno hopes to get back to their winning ways as they take on the PAC-12’s Washington State (4-1) in two weeks at home in Valley Children’s Stadium.

Written by: Arjun Nath