Fresno State back Ronnie Rivers sets another record in an emotional Senior Day victory
The Fresno State Bulldogs created a lot of memories in a football game that years from now might not be all that memorable, an uncomplicated 34-7 victory over a struggling New Mexico on Senior Day Saturday.
Most will be from before or after a victory the Bulldogs needed to remain in the West Division race in the Mountain West Conference. There’s the pregame, with 17 seniors honored before playing what likely was their final home game. There’s the walk down and up the storied ramp and into Bulldog Stadium, a special stretch of real estate for those who have traversed it for four or five football seasons. There’s the reception from a crowd of 35,020, marking the first time in a long time, 2013, Fresno State has had four home crowds of more than 33,000 in a season.
But there was one moment from the field that will stand a test of time. It was career touchdown No. 50 and career rushing touchdown No. 40 for running back Ronnie Rivers, one of those 17 seniors.
He took a direct snap on a third-and-2 from the New Mexico 4-yard line in the first quarter, flanked in the backfield by tight end Juan Rodriguez and running back Jordan Mims, bounced outside right and outran Lobos cornerback Corey Hightower into the corner of the end zone.
Rivers then took a bow to that crowd before he was surrounded by his teammates, tight ends Tre Watson and Raymond Pauwels Jr., right tackle Alex Akingbulu and Mims the first to get there.
“I had that one planned out a little bit – just to do that celebration and thank all of the fans and everybody that has shown support over these past five years,” said Rivers, who passed Ryan Mathews with his 40th career rushing touchdown and to the top of the program’s all-time list.
Rivers hits 50, and 40 career touchdowns
It was a big moment for the Bulldogs, their fans and for Rivers, the son of Ron Rivers, a star running back at Fresno State in the early 1990s.
“What an amazing accomplishment,” center Matt Smith said. “To be on the field when he did that, it’s just a blessing. It’s history. There’s not many times you get to witness it, let alone be a part of it.”
“Ever since I came here, that’s one of the first people you just gravitate toward,” Akingbulu said. “That’s one of the first people you see on the field. Man, he’s a great running back – fast, quick. He’s everything you need in a running back. He makes you look good, as well. He’s also a leader, a funny guy. There’s nothing you can say bad about that guy. Organizations are blessed to have talent like that.”
“Super happy for him,” coach Kalen DeBoer said. “That is a really big number. That’s a lot of touchdowns.”
From an appreciation standpoint, DeBoer said Rivers simply stands out.
“He never wavers with his mindset, his attitude,” the Bulldogs coach said. “He’s just a guy that keeps working and is happy. He has a swagger about him that is contagious and rubs off on our entire team.
“When he’s out there, it just feels different. Our entire team and specifically the offense, when No. 20 is in the huddle you know you have a really good chance.”
The Lobos obviously didn’t. Fresno State held the visiting team to just 196 yards of offense, the eighth game in a row they have failed to hit even 300. The Rivers touchdown was followed by touchdown passes from Jake Haener to Pauwels and to Josh Kelly and 51- and 48-yard field goals by Cesar Silva. It was 27-0 before the Lobos scored their lone touchdown on a drive fueled by a roughing the passer penalty on the Bulldogs.
Haener ended up hitting 24 of 31 passes for 300 yards with three touchdowns, the final one to Mims from 4 yards out, his seventh 300-yard game this season and 11th in 17 games at Fresno State.
The Bulldogs outgained New Mexico 397 to 196. They had 23 first downs to the Lobos’ seven, the fewest allowed to a FBS opponent going back through the 2000 season.
It was not close, or a very clean game for Fresno State, which was penalized 10 times including six false starts and had a holding call that wiped out a punt return touchdown by Zane Pope.
But it kept the Bulldogs (8-3, 5-2 in the MW) in the West Division race in the Mountain West Conference. And for 17 Bulldogs, there was much more to it.
Bulldogs’ seniors have their say
Some of those seniors had been in the program for six seasons, were there for a 1-11 season, and played a role in flipping the Bulldogs’ football fortunes faster than anyone had before in college football history.
Fresno State went 10-4 with a victory in the Hawaii Bowl the next season, and 12-2 with a Mountain West championship and victory in the Las Vegas Bowl the one after that.
“Oh, man, it was sad for me,” defensive tackle Kevin Atkins said. “I shed a few tears. I’ve been here, I’m one of the oldest dudes on the team. It has been a long journey. It’s bittersweet. I know football is not over for me and I know this season is not over. We still have steps to take. But after this, after our last game, whenever that may be, I’ll never play another game in this stadium. That kind of broke my heart to know that I’ll never play another game here, because this is really a special place.
“You know, when you first get here they tell you that and you don’t really believe in it until you actually play here. Just knowing that comes to an end, that really broke my heart.”
Some of those 17 had been here just this one year, or three, like Akingbulu, who transferred to Fresno State from UCLA. The pregame ceremony got him, and many of his teammates.
“I tried not to cry,” he said. “Then I looked to my right and looked to my left, all the other seniors were crying. So I was like, ‘OK, it might be good to cry.’ Just seeing my mom there and how proud she is and seeing the crowd for the last time. Wow. I just took everything in.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever necessarily feel that again. Especially at home with the crowd cheering you on. I just took everything in. Having the opportunity to say, ‘Hi,’ to all the fans is something I am going to hold dear to my heart.”
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Rivers said. “Just being able to share that with the teammates I have out here. None of this is possible without them. Just being able to share this moment with my teammates and family and everyone that came to support us is a great feeling.”
Next for Bulldogs
Thanksgiving Day: at San Jose State, 12:30 p.m.
This story was originally published November 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.