No-look nailbiter: Clutch performances carry Bulldogs in long-awaited win at Oregon State
With the game on the line and Fresno State attempting a long field goal, television cameras zoomed in on Matt Entz and showed the first-year Fresno State coach looking to the ground during the start of the decisive play.
Nervous much?
Considering how the final score turned out compared to what the final statistics looked like, one might’ve envisioned Entz staring up above while in a deep prayer.
Because despite a statically poor showing from starting quarterback E.J. Warner and a long and frustrating outing for Fresno State’s defense on Saturday, the Bulldogs ascended to victory.
Sophomore kicker Dylan Lynch nailed a 43-yard field goal for the go-ahead score with 29 seconds remaining and cornerback Jakari Embry ran back an interception for a 45-yard touchdown in the closing seconds as Fresno State pulled out a 36-27 win at Oregon State.
It was the Bulldogs’ first road win under Entz, as well as Fresno State’s first victory at Oregon State since 1991. Some Fresno State coaches weren’t alive the last time the Bulldogs beat the Beavers in Corvallis, Ore.
Then also consider this.
Fresno State (2-1) won despite another outing from Warner in which he threw more interceptions (1) than touchdowns (0). In fact, Warner has five picks with no touchdown passes for the season.
He finished Saturday 13 of 18 for a mere 121 yards. Oregon’s starting quarterback Maalik Murphy, by comparison, was 31 of 48 for 371 yards and four touchdowns to two interceptions.
But with the Bulldogs down one point with 1:13 remaining, Warner showed what he does best so far and that’s manage Fresno State’s offense while leading the Bulldogs onto a winning drive.
He scrambled twice for 10-plus yards to secure first downs and in between connected on an out route to Ezekiel Avit for 12 yards for another first down. Then after reaching Oregon State’s 30-yard line, Warner made sure the ball ended up on the left hash for the the left-leg kicking Lynch to attempt the winning field goal.
Nothing fancy, nothing amazing from Warner, but heroic enough for the senior transfer from Rice to get the job done.
Warner finished with three rushing attempts for 57 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown run for the game’s first score.
And with Warner’s quick decision making, the Fresno State offensive line did not allow a sack for a second straight game.
Fresno State’s defense, meanwhile, took a slow and methodical beating — but refused to get knocked out.
Oregon State (0-2) amassed 528 total yards — 388 passing and 140 rushing — with 29 first downs.
The Beavers converted 10 of 17 third downs, 1 of 2 fourth downs, and were 4 of 5 in red zone scoring. They also had a time of possession advantage of 37:25 to Fresno State’s 22:35.
To start the second half, Oregon State strung together an 18-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Beavers touchdown and lasted 11:16.
Oregon State finished with 83 total plays on offense; Fresno State had 46.
But when it mattered most, the Bulldogs defense managed to step up.
Fresno State defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks got a sack for a 10-yard loss late in the fourth quarter that forced Oregon State to settle for a field goal attempt, which the Beavers ended up missing.
Granted, on the ensuing Fresno State drive, the Bulldogs went three-and-out before punting; and the Beavers quickly answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass for Murphy to David Wells Jr. with 1:19 remaining to put Oregon State ahead 27-26.
But all that did was showcase Fresno State’s clutch performances thereafter in a game in which the lead changed eight times.
The Bulldogs defense finished with two interceptions, two sacks, six quarterback hurries and six pass breakups.
Fresno State linebacker Jadon Pearson, a senior transfer from Utah State, racked up 16 tackles, including nine solo, with a pass breakup.
Pearson finished one shy of matching the most total tackles registered in one game this season among Football Bowl Subdivision players.
Lynch, meanwhile, finished 3 for 3 on field goals, connecting from 34, 28 and 43 yards.
Bulldogs running back Rayshon Luke, a junior transfer from Arizona, had 86 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a crafty 44-yard touchdown run up the middle during the second quarter.
Sophomore Jaden Carrillo, formerly of Clovis High, also added a touchdown when he ran back a punt 42 yards via a botched snap and poor punt from Oregon State.
That score put Fresno State ahead 20-15 with 45 seconds left in the first half and caused Trent Bray to curse on live TV when talking about the Beavers special teams during a halftime interview.
Saturday was a nonconference matchup but will become a PAC-12 game in future seasons once Fresno State officially leaves the Mountain West and joins its new conference on July 1, 2026.
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 5:33 PM.