![\"Fresno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792316319_647_FRS_EPZ_DOGFOOT_BOISE_03.JPG\" "\\"Fresno")
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Fresno State head coach Matt Entz questions a call in the game against Boise State Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 in Fresno.<\/p>\n
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA<\/p>\n
ezamora@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
What a deflating loss for Fresno State.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs picked up a sack to push San Diego State back to the Bulldogs\u2019 35-yard line, but Cooper DiLeva made a 51-yard field goal to give the Aztecs a 26-23 victory at Snapdragon Stadium in a Pac-12 Conference matchup on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
The loss virtually ends Fresno State\u2019s hopes of reaching the Pac-12 championship.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs (4-3 overall, 1-2 Pac-12) could still get in with some help and by winning out, including the Halloween matchup against Oregon State. Fresno State has a bye next week and must regroup for the Beavers.<\/p>\n
San Diego State (3-4, 2-1) keeps \u201cThe Old Oil Can\u201d trophy for another season.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal couldn\u2019t drive his team down the field to give kicker Malakai Watanabe a chance to tie the game.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the same tune Fresno State coach Matt Entz has been singing all season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just got to find ways to start faster,\u201d he told Kenny Wiggins after the game. \u201cWe can\u2019t be down 13-0, and all of a sudden, that becomes a huge difference in the game, and we\u2019re scratching and clawing just to get back in it, and I feel terrible for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Except for the game against Boise State, when the Bulldogs scored a first-quarter touchdown for the first time all season, they were once again held scoreless in the opening quarter.<\/p>\n
Fresno State couldn\u2019t generate much offense, even with the return of Rayshon Luke, who sat out last week because of a concussion.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs entered the game as 6.5-point favorites but struggled to meet expectations.<\/p>\n
Fresno State finished with just 276 yards of total offense, compared with San Diego State\u2019s 384.<\/p>\n
Aztecs starting quarterback Jayden Denegal left the game with an injury, forcing freshman Stone Saunders to take over. Saunders helped lead San Diego State to the win, setting up DiLeva\u2019s decisive field goal after the Bulldogs\u2019 sack pushed the Aztecs back.<\/p>\n
Mandal wasn\u2019t effective behind a vulnerable offensive line that gave up six sacks. He finished 13 of 25 for 141 yards and no touchdowns. He also missed a wide-open Josiah Freeman in the end zone on a play in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe gotta be better at the simple things,\u201d Entz said. \u201cTackling alignment, communications, technique \u2014 all those things. We\u2019re not where we should be. I mean, there\u2019s some really good things that happened tonight at different times, but just not enough, not consistent enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
The only consistent thing the Bulldogs have done is start slow. Until that changes, Fresno State will have a hard time overcoming its own problems with five Pac-12 games remaining.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published October 17, 2026 at 11:23 PM.<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n
Anthony Galaviz<\/a><\/p>\n The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n Anthony Galaviz writes about breaking news\/sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He\u2019s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.\u00a0
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