Fresno State Bulldogs back in AP Top 25 following big win over San Diego State
.JPG "Fresno State’s Josh Kelly misses a pass to the end zone during the first half of the team’s game against San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Carson, Calif.")
Fresno State moved into first place in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference with its 30-20 victory at No. 21 San Diego State, its second win this season over a ranked opponent on the road.
The Bulldogs also were one of the biggest movers Sunday morning, jumping back into the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 25 after receiving no votes in the poll last week.
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With the victory the Bulldogs improved to 7-2 and 4-1 in the Mountain West, and there were nine ranked teams that lost last weekend including three in the bottom fifth of the poll – No. 6 Michigan, No. 9 Iowa, No. 10 Mississippi, No. 12 Kentucky, No. 17 Pittsburgh, No. 19 Southern Methodist, No. 20 Penn State, No. 21 San Diego State and No. 22 Iowa State.
The Aztecs dropped out of the AP Top 25, falling all the way to No. 32 among others receiving votes.
Fresno State did not crack the Top 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, but did move up to No. 27, second among others receiving votes. The Bulldogs received 73 votes after getting 10 last week and are behind Louisiana-Lafayette (7-1) from the Sun Belt Conference. The Ragin’ Cajuns are well ahead of the Bulldogs, with 156 votes.
The Aztecs, who were No. 20 in the Coaches Poll, received 65 votes and fell to No. 28.
The top five teams in the AP Top 25 are Georgia, Cincinnati, Alabama, Oklahoma and Michigan State. The top five in the Coaches Poll are Georgia, Cincinnati, Alabama, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
Fresno State returned to the poll for the first time in five weeks.
The Bulldogs entered the AP Top 25 at No. 20 after winning at No. 13 UCLA and moved up to No. 18 after beating UNLV the following week. They fell out of the poll after a loss at Hawaii, a game in which they blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but have been on a steady rebuild since that loss with an improving offensive line.
The Bulldogs rolled up 485 total yards against San Diego State, which was leading the Mountain West in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. Jordan Mims carried the football 29 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Jake Haener hit 25 of 42 passes for 306 yards and one touchdown.
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 11:36 AM.