The Fresno State Bulldogs got the best of the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, prevailing 18-3 in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Fresno State was led by E.J. Warner, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, who threw for 214 yards and a touchdown. Warner was named the game MVP.
Advertisement
“It’s awesome,” E.J. Warner said in his postgame interview. “It’s my first bowl game with these guys here. I love them all. A lot of ups and downs this year but we persevered, got out with nine wins. (I’m) happy for all these guys, happy to be a part of it this year.”
Whenever the Bulldogs needed a big gain on offense, Warner — a transfer from Rice University in Houston — found senior receiver Josiah Freeman. Freeman ended the game with seven catches and 143 yards.
The lone touchdown of the game came from tight end Richie Anderson III on a 2-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs racked up 391 total yards and held the RedHawks to 192 yards in the game. Hats off to a Fresno State defense that didn’t allow any touchdowns and forced two turnovers: a fumble caused by senior linebacker Jadon Pearson and recovered by Fresno State’s Jakari Embry, who also had an interception in the game.
Advertisement
Fresno State head coach Matt Entz becomes one of the few coaches to win a bowl game in their first year as a college head coach.
“Hard-fought long season,” Entz said.
BOWL GAME SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: The entire postseason lineup through the playoff
Here are the highlights from Fresno State’s win over Miami in the Arizona Bowl:
Game highlights
1st quarter highlights
Miami drove down field on its first possession of the game behind back-to-back gains from sophomore receiver Keith Reynolds. He opened the game with 32- and 9-yard runs to put the RedHawks in Fresno State territory before settling for a field goal by kicker Dom Dzioban.
Advertisement
The Miami of Ohio defense forced a three and out returning to offense. RedHawks quarterback Thomas Gotkowski threw the game’s first interception with 8:12 remaining to Fresno State’s Jakari Embry of Gadsden, Alabama.
The Bulldogs offense showed flashes of promise, but could not get much going in the opening quarter. They were held to 45 total yards on offense, compared to Miami’s 85 yards. Yet the Bulldogs only trailed 3-0.
It’s been a roller coaster season at Fresno State, which started 5-1, then dropped back-to-back games before going 3-1 in its last four games.
2nd quarter highlights
Fresno State started to pick it up in the second quarter, converting on first downs, something the Bulldogs didn’t do in the opening 15 minutes.
Advertisement
The Bulldogs made their way down to the red zone before scoring on a 28-yard field goal from senior Dylan Lynch to tie the game, 3-3, with 7:54 in the second quarter.
Fresno State’s defense looked to come alive in the second quarter, forcing a Miami punt which turned into good field position for the Bulldogs after a bad snap pinned the RedHawks punter in his own end zone. He attempted to get the punt off but it was blocked and recovered by Fresno State on Miami’s 10-yard line.
Fresno State ended the drive with a Lynch field goal to take a 6-3 lead.
Miami of Ohio drove down the field on a mix of runs and passes, but turned the ball over on a fumble by Redhawk Jordan Brunson caused by senior linebacker Jadon Pearson recovered by Fresno State’s Embry.
Advertisement
The Bulldogs took advantage getting back to redzone on back-to-back passes from E.J. Warner, who threw a short pass to 13 E.Warner pass complete short right to Josiah Freeman who to it for a 47-yard gain. The next play Warner found tight end Ezekiel Avit for 20 yards.
Unable to find the end zone, Fresno State settled for a third field goal from Lynch. The Bulldogs led at halftime, 9-3.
3rd quarter highlights
Miami of Ohio was unable to get anything going on in its first possession of the third quarter. The Bulldog defense forced a punt.
The Warner-Freeman connection caused problems for Miami all day. Warner found Freeman in the third on a short pass that Freeman turned into a big 51-yard gain, putting the Bulldogs closer to scoring position.
Advertisement
That play set up a field goal, but Lynch missed the chip shot from 28 yards.
The RedHawks took over on offense but made nothing of it, punting after failing on first down attempts. However, their defense returned the favor and forced the Bulldogs to punt.
Fresno State’s defense continued to stifle Miami of Ohio, forcing another punt. The third quarter ended with Fresno State ahead, 9-3.
4th quarter highlights
The Bulldogs scored the first touchdown of the game with 11:12 left in the fourth quarter when Warner found Richie Anderson III on a 2-yard pass. Fresno State failed on its ensuing two-point conversion attempt and led the game, 15-3.
Advertisement
The Bulldogs defense continued to stifle Miami of Ohio. Lynch tacked on one more field goal to seal the deal, giving Fresno State an 18-3 victory.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: E.J. Warner helps Fresno State defeat Miami of Ohio in Arizona Bowl
