No. 25 Fresno State extends streak to 14 wins, fueled by stifling defense, struggling opponent
Among the most important reasons No. 25 Fresno State has continued to win despite changing quarterbacks and losing other key offensive players since last season is because of what the Bulldogs consistently keep doing on the other side of the ball.
The Bulldogs defense has subtly anchored and been arguably the best unit in the Mountain West during the nation’s second-longest winning streak, which extended to 14 games following a 27-9 win against Nevada.
Playing their conference opener Saturday night before an announced crowd of 39,246 at Valley Children’s Stadium, the Bulldogs once again showcased their defensive dominance.
The Bulldogs limited the Wolf Pack to 220 total yards and almost no points by Nevada’s offense until the unit scored a touchdown with 11 seconds left.
Fresno State also held Nevada to just 1.7 yards per carry, amassed seven sacks, tallied two interceptions and denied the Wolf Pack on 11 of 15 third-down attempts.
All while handing Nevada a 15th straight loss, which is the worst in the nation and dates back to last season.
Bulldogs linebacker Levelle Bailey racked up nine tackles, including seven solo tackles. Defensive back Camryn Bracha had six tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
And fellow defensive backs Carlton Johnson and Morice Norris Jr. each nabbed one interception.
For the season, Fresno State is limiting opponents to an average of 17 points per game, including an average of 6.33 points in the past three contests.
Credit defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle Coyle, who had the Bulldogs ranked in the Top 5 in the Mountain West in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense and sacks last year during his first season back with Fresno State.
Coyle previously was at Fresno State from 1997-2000 under former head coach Pat Hill then worked in the NFL from 2001-2017. He’s since implemented some of his NFL schemes and packages at Fresno State.
Fresno State’s offense on Saturday, meanwhile, got a pair of passing touchdowns quarterback Mike Keene, who completed 26 of 34 passes for 269 yards. Keene replaced star quarterback Jake Haener in the offseason.
Jaelen Gill, among the group of receivers trying to fill in shoes of departed star receiver Jalen Cropper, was the recipient of both of Keene’s touchdown passes while hauling in eight catches for 126 yards.
And Fresno State Malik Sherrod, who’s been part of a running back committee to replace the school’s No. 4 career rushing leader in Jordan Mims, finished with 12 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown.
By the way, with 4 minutes, 51 seconds left in the third quarter, the lights at Valley Children’s Stadium abruptly turned off until coming back on after 18 seconds.
This story was originally published September 30, 2023 at 11:23 PM.