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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — In the final scheduled game between rivals Fresno State & Hawaii, the Bulldogs leave the island with bragging rights and a 23-21 win. FS improves to 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in Mountain West play.
The first quarter ended without a score from either team. Hawaii came away with the first points of the game when their punt backed Fresno State up to their own three-yard line. EJ Warner didn’t get the ball off quick enough and a Rainbow Warrior defender came in for the safety. After review, Hawaii went up 2-0 halfway through the second quarter and took a 9-0 lead after a throw from Warner was ruled to be a lateral pass and taken back for a touchdown from Jamih Otis.
Clovis native and Buchanan grad Brayden Walton went down with an injury and was carted off the field with a little more than a minute to play in the half. With 38 seconds before the break, Warner found Richie Anderson for a 13-yard touchdown reception. The score was 9-7 at the halftime horn.
A 40-yard field goal would extend the Hawaii lead but Fresno State responded quickly with a 65-yard deep ball from Warner to Kamron Beachem. The tight end was taken down at the one but Bryson Donelson punched in the touchdown to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game. After another Rainbow Warriors FG the ‘Dogs trailed 15-13 heading into the fourth.
That quarter was saved for the Bulldog defense. An Al’zillion Hamilton interception set up a 27 yard field goal from Dylan Lynch. Then K’vion Thunderbird, a transfer linebacker from Arizona State, took an interception back 59 yards for the Bulldog touchdown to give FS a 23-15 lead.
Once they return from the island, the Bulldogs have a bye week before they host Nevada at home. Kickoff inside Valley Children’s is on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
