SEATTLE - A 27-point first quarter by the high-powered scoring offense of No. 6 Washington proved to be too much for Fresno State to overcome on Saturday night at Husky Stadium as the Bulldogs fell 48-16. Fresno State (1-2) totaled 313 yards on offense with 151 in the first half and 162 in the second half. The 'Dogs finished with 194 yards through the air and 119 yards on the ground and totaled 18 first downs while possessing the ball for 32:55.
Sophomore quarterback Chason Virgil went 11-of-20 for 98 yards while junior Marcus McMaryion came on in the second half to go 10-of-16 for 96 yards. Senior wide receiver Da'Mari Scott had a team-leading five receptions for 40 yards and recorded his first touchdown of the season. On defense, sophomore defensive back Mike Bell made a career-high nine tackles, including six solo, and also recorded 1.5 tackles for a loss. Linebackers Jeffrey Allison and James Bailey had five tackles apiece while Allison forced one of two fumbles on the evening by the 'Dogs.
How It Happened
With the Bulldogs receiving the ball to start the game, the 'Dogs picked up a quick first down on an 11-yard run by Rivers, but were stopped short on a third down setting up the first punt of the game by sophomore punter Blake Cusick. The Huskies, who scored a combined 93 points in their first two games, got the offense rolling early as Myles Gaskin scored on a 28-yard rushing touchdown that finished off a quick five-play, 76-yard drive.
After a quick three-and-out by the 'Dogs, Washington used back-to-back receptions of 17 and 50 yards, respectively, to reach the Bulldogs four-yard line. After what appeared to be a third down tackle by the Bulldogs on third-and-goal, a horse collar penalty wiped out the Bulldogs' positive momentum. Browning connected with Dante Pettis for a four-yard touchdown on the next play to make the score 14-0 in favor of the Huskies.
Washington extended its lead 20-0 on a seven-yard rush out of the Wildcat formation by Gaskin that was set up after a Bulldog turnover. After the 'Dogs were stopped on third-and-3 on their next drive, Cusick's punt was returned 77 yards by Pettis for a touchdown, to move the score 27-0 in favor of UW, as the senior wide receiver tied an NCAA record with his eighth career punt return for a touchdown.
The 'Dogs looked to get on the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter, but a 48-yard field attempt by Jimmy Camacho sailed wide right. Washington extended its lead to 34-0 with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Browning to Pettis with 12:07 left in the first half.
After forcing the Huskies' first punt of the game, the 'Dogs took over at midfield and went on an eight-play 50-yard drive that was punctuated by a six-yard touchdown score from Virgil to Scott to get Fresno State on the board. Washington closed out its high-scoring first half with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard touchdown reception by Gaskin from Browning. It was 41-7 at the break.
The second half started quickly for the Huskies, needing only two plays to score, as Browning and Pettis connected for a 73-yard touchdown pass. The 'Dogs were unable score touchdowns in the third quarter, despite the defense forcing fumbles on back-to-back drives and gaining possession in UW territory each time. The 'Dogs recorded a pair of field goals by Camacho to pull the score to 48-13. The senior kicker connected from 29 yards after Allison's forced fumble was recovered by George Helmuth. Helmuth set up another field goal after forcing his first career fumble, which was recovered by sophomore Jasad Haynes, setting up a 34-yard field goal.
Camacho made his third field of the night in the fourth quarter, connecting from 31 yards, which resulted in the final score, 48-16.
The 'Dogs have their lone bye week of the season coming up next week before returning to action at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 30 with the start of Mountain West play hosting Nevada at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Next home game, Sept. 30 vs. Nevada
Use promo code DOGSWIN for 25 percent off single game tickets for Bulldogs' Mountain West conference opener against Nevada on Sept. 30: https://goo.gl/a1MiPZ. Link to $99 5-Game offer: https://goo.gl/zoUBu7
