Conservative way: Fresno State uses QB Keene more so as game manager to halt slide at Nevada

Fresno State stopped its slide, even if quarterback Mikey Keene threw yet another interception.

Keene already entered Friday’s game tied with the fourth-most interceptions throughout Football Bowl Subdivision play.

But this time, the Bulldogs refused to put too much responsibility on Keene’s arm.

The game plan of turning Keene from risky “gunslinger” into conservative game manager worked just enough as Fresno State held onto a 24-21 win at Nevada and snapped a two-game losing streak.

Fresno State’s offensive play calls leaned more so on the run game (38 runs to 20 pass attempts).

When the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-1) did pass, Keene’s throws were quicker and his targets positioned closer to him.

And after Keene tossed his Mountain West-worst ninth interception of the season during a critical time late in the third quarter, Fresno State turned to ultra conservative playcalling rather than take anymore risks.

Good ole smashmouth style on offense — relying heavily on the run game, while also letting the defense and special teams play a more physical and aggressive style.

Not exactly the flashiest brand of football.

But it was simple and executed well enough for the Bulldogs to beat a Wolf Pack team (3-5, 0-2) that was coming off a 42-37 win against Oregon State.

Fresno State ran the ball 15 times and attempted just two passes during the fourth quarter while both teams went scoreless.

The Bulldogs simply were searching for ways to limit their mistakes.

Even if it meant relying less on the Mountain West’s top preseason quarterback in Keene.

Last week, Keene’s late-game interception resulted in Fresno State losing 25-17 to Washington State.

Against Nevada, the junior completed 13 of 20 passes for 190 yards with no touchdowns to one interception.

It was Keene’s lowest number of pass attempts on the season (previous mark was 22 attempts during a 48-0 victory against New Mexico State last month).

Perhaps in time, Keene will get more throws and shots down field again.

But on Friday, Fresno State’s run game was trusted to grind the clock and get the tough yards. The Bulldogs finished with 38 carries for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior running back Elijah Gilliam rushed 20 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He also made two catches for 74 yards, including 71 yards off a screen play up the middle that sent up an eventual touchdown.

That combination of a conservative game plan and a disruptive Fresno State defense led to Nevada going scoreless throughout the second half.

In addition, Fresno State’s special teams forced two turnovers on downs after getting to the Nevada punter.

Nevada’s offense was held to 16-of-25 passing for 211 yards and one touchdown. The Wolf Pack run game struggled, too, generating just 2.2 yards per carry on 39 attempts.

The Wolf Pack finished with just 16 first downs, the lowest amount the Bulldogs have limited an opponent to this season.

Bulldogs linebacker Malachi Langley amassed 13 tackles, including six solo and 1 1/2 sacks.

As a unit, Fresno State’s defense stepped up while playing the majority of the game without safety Dean Clark.

The senior was called for targeting on a late hit while trying to tackle Nevada’s quarterback on a struggle, prompting Clark’s ejection with 3:10 left in the first half.

This story was originally published October 19, 2024 at 12:22 AM.