by Steven Sanchez
Fresno State vs. Nevada
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team beat Nevada 34-32 on October 23. The game featured the two-highest scoring teams in the conference. The teams combined for 984 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs (6-2 overall, 3-1 Mountain West) snapped a two-game losing streak to the Wolf Pack (5-2, 2-1) and lead the all-time series 30-22-1. Quarterback Jake Haener completed 26 of 38 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Mims filled in for starter Ronnie Rivers who didn’t play in the second half due to an injury.
The Bulldogs seemed to be well ahead and were solid for a good portion of the game, but Nevada had other plans. For three quarters the Dogs were in the lead until the fourth quarter is where the Wolf Pack broke out and took over the fourth quarter. Fresno State gave up a score with two seconds remaining after Nevada marched ninety yards on eight plays with a Cole Turner twelve-yard touchdown that brought the Wolf Pack within two points. They were unable to force overtime after the ensuing two-point conversion was caught but just out of bounds, which allowed Fresno State to hold onto a 34-32 victory in front of a crowd of 33,012 in attendance.
Lorenzo Neal
This was an important game not only because it was Homecoming, but it was the day that the Bulldogs retired the collegiate number of former alumni and one who is considered one of the best fullbacks in NFL history, Lorenzo Neal. It was a great day for football. 
The Bulldogs had momentum going into San Diego to take on the Aztecs on October 30 and upset them on their home turf which put them back into the rankings at 25 before they would go on to play Boise State at home.
Fresno State VS Boise State
It was a hard-fought game between Fresno State Football Bulldogs vs Boise State Broncos on November 6, but critical mistakes and errors led to the defeat by a score of 40-14. It was a sellout crowd and Fresno State had moved itself back into the rankings from beating San Diego State last week to move to #25. The last time Bulldog Stadium hosted a sold-out crowd was in 2014 in the game against Nebraska. With the loss, they’ll move out of the rankings. There’s still more games and more hope as the Bulldogs are bowl eligible and can still make it to the Mountain West Conference Championship game. 
Boise State controlled the entire game as the Bulldogs were only able to muster a single touchdown in the second and fourth quarter. They take the lead in the rivalry at 16-7. Even though the Broncos weren’t ranked and were only 4-4 heading into the game, they did live up to their reputation as being an upset team. They’ve spent the last couple of decades being the small team that can take on the big teams, and through trickery and bold play calling have been able to compete against the national juggernauts of college football. Their record may not compliment their reputation, but their play in how they controlled the game against the Bulldogs showed they you can never rule them out, no matter the rankings or the score.
During the first half the Dogs could’ve come back with momentum as one of the Fresno State defensive backs intercepted a pass from Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier and returned it ninety-seven yards for a touchdown, but was unfortunately taken back from a penalty for holding that just took the soul out of the team, and the crowd as well. The Dogs were never able to recover from the call.
There’s no need to worry as the Dogs are still in control of their destiny as they sit at a 7-3 overall record, and are 4-2 in the conference which means there’s still hope for them to finish strong. Go Dogs!
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