The Fresno State Bulldogs acquired the very best of the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, prevailing 18-3 within the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Fresno State was led by E.J. Warner, the son of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Kurt Warner, who threw for 214 yards and a landing. Warner was named the sport MVP.
Commercial
“It is superior,” E.J. Warner mentioned in his postgame interview. “It is my first bowl sport with these guys right here. I really like all of them. Quite a lot of ups and downs this 12 months however we persevered, acquired out with 9 wins. (I am) completely satisfied for all these guys, completely satisfied to be part of it this 12 months.”
Every time the Bulldogs wanted a giant acquire on offense, Warner — a switch from Rice College in Houston — discovered senior receiver Josiah Freeman. Freeman ended the sport with seven catches and 143 yards.
The lone landing of the sport got here from tight finish Richie Anderson III on a 2-yard catch within the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs racked up 391 complete yards and held the RedHawks to 192 yards within the sport. Hats off to a Fresno State protection that did not enable any touchdowns and compelled two turnovers: a fumble brought on by senior linebacker Jadon Pearson and recovered by Fresno State’s Jakari Embry, who additionally had an interception within the sport.
Commercial
Fresno State head coach Matt Entz turns into one of many few coaches to win a bowl sport of their first 12 months as a university head coach.
“Arduous-fought lengthy season,” Entz mentioned.
BOWL GAME SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: The complete postseason lineup by way of the playoff
Listed below are the highlights from Fresno State’s win over Miami within the Arizona Bowl:
Sport highlights
1st quarter highlights
Miami drove down discipline on its first possession of the sport behind back-to-back positive factors from sophomore receiver Keith Reynolds. He opened the sport with 32- and 9-yard runs to place the RedHawks in Fresno State territory earlier than settling for a discipline purpose by kicker Dom Dzioban.
Commercial
The Miami of Ohio protection pressured a 3 and out returning to offense. RedHawks quarterback Thomas Gotkowski threw the sport’s first interception with 8:12 remaining to Fresno State’s Jakari Embry of Gadsden, Alabama.
The Bulldogs offense confirmed flashes of promise, however couldn’t get a lot going within the opening quarter. They had been held to 45 complete yards on offense, in comparison with Miami’s 85 yards. But the Bulldogs solely trailed 3-0.
It’s been a curler coaster season at Fresno State, which began 5-1, then dropped back-to-back video games earlier than going 3-1 in its final 4 video games.
2nd quarter highlights
Fresno State began to choose it up within the second quarter, changing on first downs, one thing the Bulldogs didn’t do within the opening quarter-hour.
Commercial
The Bulldogs made their approach all the way down to the crimson zone earlier than scoring on a 28-yard discipline purpose from senior Dylan Lynch to tie the sport, 3-3, with 7:54 within the second quarter.
Fresno State’s protection appeared to come back alive within the second quarter, forcing a Miami punt which was good discipline place for the Bulldogs after a nasty snap pinned the RedHawks punter in his personal finish zone. He tried to get the punt off however it was blocked and recovered by Fresno State on Miami’s 10-yard line.
Fresno State ended the drive with a Lynch discipline purpose to take a 6-3 lead.
Miami of Ohio drove down the sector on a mixture of runs and passes, however turned the ball over on a fumble by Redhawk Jordan Brunson brought on by senior linebacker Jadon Pearson recovered by Fresno State’s Embry.
Commercial
The Bulldogs took benefit getting again to redzone on back-to-back passes from E.J. Warner, who threw a brief cross to 13 E.Warner cross full brief proper to Josiah Freeman who to it for a 47-yard acquire. The subsequent play Warner discovered tight finish Ezekiel Avit for 20 yards.
Unable to search out the top zone, Fresno State settled for a 3rd discipline purpose from Lynch. The Bulldogs led at halftime, 9-3.
third quarter highlights
Miami of Ohio was unable to get something occurring in its first possession of the third quarter. The Bulldog protection pressured a punt.
The Warner-Freeman connection brought about issues for Miami all day. Warner discovered Freeman within the third on a brief cross that Freeman was a giant 51-yard acquire, placing the Bulldogs nearer to scoring place.
Commercial
That play arrange a discipline purpose, however Lynch missed the chip shot from 28 yards.
The RedHawks took over on offense however made nothing of it, punting after failing on first down makes an attempt. Nonetheless, their protection returned the favor and compelled the Bulldogs to punt.
Fresno State’s protection continued to stifle Miami of Ohio, forcing one other punt. The third quarter ended with Fresno State forward, 9-3.
4th quarter highlights
The Bulldogs scored the primary landing of the sport with 11:12 left within the fourth quarter when Warner discovered Richie Anderson III on a 2-yard cross. Fresno State failed on its ensuing two-point conversion try and led the sport, 15-3.
Commercial
The Bulldogs protection continued to stifle Miami of Ohio. Lynch tacked on yet one more discipline purpose to seal the deal, giving Fresno State an 18-3 victory.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: E.J. Warner helps Fresno State defeat Miami of Ohio in Arizona Bowl
