“I did a poor job of preparing our football team to be able to come here and play effectively,” said Fresno State head coach Matt Entz after Friday night’s game against Colorado State.
He had just witnessed his Bulldogs lose to the Rams by a final of 49-21. It was their first such loss in six contests.
“We have to have more of a sense of urgency to start the game. I’m responsible for the product that we put on the field, and we have to be better. We will be better,” Entz also said.
His Bulldogs were
down 35-7 in the blink of an eye after two turnovers and a host of miscues on defense that have rarely been seen this season.
Despite only allowing 144 yards passing, it was the rush defense that gave up 190 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown run that led off the scoring for Colorado State.
After two passing touchdowns it became a 21-0 Colorado State lead, forcing Fresno State to throw the ball more.
EJ Warner found Josiah Freeman for a touchdown from 21 yards away to close to 21-7. But Colorado State responded with a TD pass of their own before stripping Warner of the ball and running it back for another touchdown to make it 35-7 at the half.
“When you give up 35 points in the first half, it’s hard to rely on the run game. It put us in a position to have to pass the ball more,” Entz also said after the game.
Warner ended up leading the Bulldogs back to a 35-21 deficit, and that’s as close as they got.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 5-2 overall with a 2-1 MWC record.
Warner ended with 350 yards passing with three touchdowns and three interceptions. The team also had 147 yards rushing but had to abandon it much of the contest since they were playing from behind. Brandon Ramirez ended as the leading rusher with 45 yards on just seven carries.
Fresno State will have two weeks to prepare for their next contest, as they will host San Diego State on October 25th.
