Fresno State unravels after critical interception from familiar culprit, falling to Utah State

During a drive when Fresno State received its most advantageous starting field position of the night, the Bulldogs suddenly became turnover prone again.

E.J. Warner had returned as Fresno State’s starting quarterback, so perhaps an interception was due at some point given the senior’s turnover tendencies this year and throughout his career.

But what an unfortunate moment for the Bulldogs to make a mistake — to go from being spotted a starting drive in the red zone to being unable to recover from a wild and unforced interception from Warner.

Utah State scored three unanswered touchdowns, including on the ensuing drive that followed the Warner interception, as Fresno State couldn’t rebound from the momentum swing and fell 28-17 late Saturday night at Valley Children’s Stadium.

“Frustrating night,” Bulldogs first-year coach Matt Entz said. “Too many errors. We got in our own way.

“We can’t beat ourselves.”

Warner, the son of football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, began this season as Fresno State’s starting quarterback and had some productive games during a seven-game stretch. However, he also had the second most interceptions in the nation on the season at the time of his benching.

Entz cited the need to see more leadership and fewer turnovers when he sat Warner.

Fresno State went 2-1 in that stretch, including a big win at Boise State, but was receiving little passing production from replacement quarterback Carson Conklin.

So on Senior Night and the Bulldogs’ final home game of the season, Warner found himself back behind center, though Entz declined to go into detail why he turned back to his senior quarterback.

Warner went 20 passes on Saturday without committing a turnover.

But then came unlucky throw No. 21, which led to a chorus of sighs from the announced crowd of 37,551.

Just prior, Fresno State had been given starting field position from the Utah State 20 after Camryn Bracha forced a fumble.

The Bulldogs were in prime position to extend their lead to 24-7 with a touchdown.

But on third and 2 from the Utah State 11, Warner rolled out to his right and tossed a high pass that was tipped by receiver Josiah Freeman. Bronson Olevao Jr. made the interception.

And Utah State responded with a 15-play touchdown drive that cut Fresno State’s lead to 17-14.

Warner looked timid the rest of the way, and the Bulldogs finished the second half scoreless and with just three first downs.

Fresno State’s defense grew tired down the stretch, too, as Utah State scored the go-ahead touchdown after marching 80 yards on 13 plays. The Aggies grew their lead further with another touchdown following a six-play, 75-yard drive.

“We win games as a team, we lose as a team,” Entz said. “We got to execute at a higher rate.”

Warner finished 22 of 33 for 187 yards and one touchdown but with one interception.

For the season, Warner has 10 interceptions.

For his career, Warner will finish with double-digit interceptions in each of his college seasons. He currently has 47 career picks.

Fresno State’s running game on Saturday, meanwhile, generated 6.6 yards per carry, including a 69-yard touchdown run from Rayshon Luke during the first quarter.

But the Bulldogs actually ran the ball less (27 carries) compared to its passing attempts (33) after relying primarily on its run game when Conklin was starting.

The loss most likely knocked Fresno State (7-4, 4-3) out of the Mountain West title game picture with the Bulldogs’ chance of finishing in the top two in the conference standings significantly reduced.

This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 12:16 AM.