FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno State Bulldogs exploded for 32 points in the second quarter Saturday night, going on to rout Sacramento State 49-3 and notch their first win of the season.
There were plenty of new items around Valley Children’s Stadium for the Sept. 12 home opener — LED ribbon boards on the press box and suites, new on-field logos for the PAC-12 and corporate sponsor The Wonderful Company, a new tractor to lead the Bulldogs onto the field, and a large new T-shirt cannon.
Fresno State also looked like a new team, compared to the one that was shut out by No. 14 USC in the season opener last Friday, Sept. 4.
After falling short on 4th down inside the 15-yard line on their opening drive, the Bulldogs scored on five consecutive possessions in the second quarter.
Buchanan HS grad Jayden Mandal tossed a pair of touchdown passes — to Rayshon Luke and Ezekiel Avit — and scored another TD on a 1-yard sneak.
Visalia native Bryson Donelson spearheaded the rushing attack, totaling 102 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs’ junior running back earned high praise from head coach Matt Entz postgame.
“Really looked fast, and I was excited by what Bryson showed,” said Entz. “He’s running differently than what I saw last season.”
On top of that, Mandal finished the game with 316 passing yards and an 88% (23/26) completion percentage. Two of his incompletions were on Fresno State’s first two empty drives. The ‘Dogs scored on the next eight.
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“He doesn’t get rattled very easily,” Entz said of Mandal, “which is beneficial to our sideline. When other players don’t see our quarterback getting rattled, I think there’s a level of confidence that he exudes in those moments.”
Fresno State (1-1) will hit the road next Saturday, Sept. 19, to face San Jose State in the Battle for the Valley Trophy. The Bulldogs have won the previous two editions of the longtime rivalry.