PASADENA, Calif. – Outscored by 11 in the second half, Fresno State saw its four-game win streak against UCLA snapped on Saturday with a 20-13 defeat at the Rose Bowl.
Fresno State was held to 281 yards of offense, its third-fewest in 2024. Mikey Keene had the bulk of that with 219 yards through the air, going 30-of-43 with one touchdown.
The 20 points were just the third-fewest allowed to a Bulldog opponent this season.
How It Happened
Fresno State forced UCLA to punt on its opening possession, following four penalties for the Bruins in the drive. UCLA got into a third-and-13 situation, and Phoenix Jackson batted down the pass attempt to bring out the punt team. The Bruins picked up their fifth penalty of the game with a facemask on the Bulldogs' first play. Despite the penalty to open the drive, Fresno State wasn't able to move the ball and was forced to punt.
UCLA got on the board first with a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Held to a three-and-out, Fresno State was forced to give the ball back to the Bruins. The Bulldogs held UCLA to just six yards on the drive. But the Bruins regained possession, forcing a fumble on the punt, setting themselves up at the Bulldogs' 12-yard line. Fresno State's defense stood tall and on third-and-10, Jackson sacked Ethan Garbers for a 10-yard loss. UCLA settled for a 40-yard field goal to take a 6-0 lead with 12:51 on the clock.
Appearing that its next possession would end at its own 44-yard line, Fresno State's drive was extended on a facemask penalty that followed a blocked punt. Seeing new life, the Bulldogs moved the ball down to the 28 before an end around saw Mac Dalena pick up 20 yards and get the 'Dogs inside the 10. On third-and-goal, Mikey Keene found Raylen Sharpe in the back of the end zone to give the Bulldogs their first lead at 7-6.
Fresno State extended its lead to 10-6 going into halftime. With 1:18 remaining on the clock, and sitting at its own 10-yard line, Bryson Donelson got the Bulldogs' drive going with a 24-yard run on first down. A third-down conversion on a 5-yard pass to Donelson was followed by an 11-yard reception from the freshman running back. Four plays later, an 8-yard pass over the middle to Sharpe on fourth-and-4 set up a field goal attempt with four seconds left. Dylan Lynch converted the 48-yard field goal, his longest of the season.
UCLA struck first in the second half. In less than two minutes, the Bruins used four plays to find the end zone, scoring on a 5-yard run from T.J. Harden to regain the lead at 13-10.
The game turned to the defenses with five straight drives resulting without points. Needing a stop with UCLA holding the ball late in the fourth, the Bulldogs had the Bruins on a third-and-6 just beyond midfield. Garbers' pass came up short of his intended target but a roughing the passer penalty was assessed to extend the drive. UCLA scored three minutes later to take a 10-point advantage.
Fresno State moved the ball 51 yards in just over a minute to set up a field goal. Lynch converted from 42 yards to make it a one score game with 31 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Lynch's attempt fell out of bounds.
Up Next
Fresno State will await its bowl announcement.