Fresno State football falls short and comes away with a 59-14 loss to UNLV

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno State football leaves Las Vegas with a devastating 59-14 loss to UNLV on Saturday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.

The video above is from a previous story and will be updated.

The 59 points for the Rebels are the most the program has ever scored against Fresno State. The previous high was a 45-20 victory over the Bulldogs in 2016.

Saturday's loss also marks the most points allowed by a Fresno State team since 2015.

Fresno State is falling short this season (3-2, 1-1 MW), while the Rebels remain undefeated at (5-0, 1-0 MW).

NO SLUKA, NO PROBLEM

UNLV made national headlines during the week after starting QB and Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka left the team, citing a clean slate with the program.

RELATED: UNLV's starting quarterback Matt Sluka says he won't play again this season, hints at NIL dispute

Despite the loss of its leading runner in Sluka, UNLV didn't miss a beat on Saturday.

Dual-threat backup quarterback QB Hajj-Malik Williams bolstered the Bulldogs' defense, going 13/16 for 182 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Williams also added 12 carries for 119 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Give it away

All three Fresno State quarterbacks who played against UNLV threw an interception.

Starting QB Mikey Keene was taken out of the game in the fourth quarter with a deficit of 45-14. He finished 27 of 41 for 316 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

Keene was also fired four times.

QB Joshua Wood went 1-for-3 with an interception.

Buchanan graduate and backup quarterback Jayden Mandal finished the game 0-1 with an interception.

REBELS STOP THE RUN

Bulldog senior RB Malik Sherrod saw his first snap since Week 3 after dealing with an injury, but finished with just 5 yards on nine carries.

Sherrod scored Fresno State's first touchdown on a 6-yard carry, making the score 31-6 late in the third quarter. Sherrod was also cited for unsportsmanlike conduct shortly after the rushing score.

Fresno State managed just 30 yards on 31 carries as a team.

On the other hand, UNLV managed 252 yards rushing on 39 attempts.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Early in the first quarter, UNLV's Rashod Tanner blocked a Bulldogs punt and star WR Ricky White III returned it for a touchdown to make the score 14-0.

It was the Rebels' first blocked punt for a touchdown since 2016.

White III also led UNLV with 10 catches for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Late in the fourth, Jai'Den Thomas returned a kickoff to the house for a 90-yard touchdown.

THE LIGHT POINT

If there's one silver lining to take from Saturday's crushing loss, look no further than Bulldog WR Raylen Sharpe.

The transfer had 10 catches for 116 yards, leading the team in both categories.

San Joaquin Memorial graduate and senior WR Mac Dalena grabbed four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.

The look forward

Fresno State welcomes a much-needed week off after conference loss in Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, October 12th at home against Washington State.

Kickoff at Valley Children's Stadium has yet to be determined.

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