Bulldogs roll past Sacramento State in home opener

Saturday, September 12

Fresno, CA

7:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

1-1 , 0-0

Sacramento State

1-2 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Sacramento St.	0	0	3	0	3
Fresno St.	0	32	14	3	49

Photo by: JACQUELUNE CARRILLO @JCMEEDJA

Bulldogs roll past Sacramento State in home opener

9/12/2026 11:59:00 PM | Football

Box Score Sacramento State-Fresno State Postgame Notes

By: Fresno State Athletics Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State scored 32 unanswered points in the second quarter and rolled to a 49-3 win over Sacramento State in its home opener on Saturday night at Valley Children's Stadium, securing the Bulldogs' first win in their Pac-12 era.

The Bulldogs (1-1) totaled 542 yards of offense, including 349 through the air, while keeping the Hornets out of the end zone. Quarterback Jayden Mandal completed 23-of-26 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score.

Bryson Donelson led the ground game with 102 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Ezekiel Avit and Josiah Freeman each eclipsed 100 receiving yards, with Avit recording 103 yards and a touchdown on two catches and Freeman totaling 100 yards on six receptions.

The Fresno State defense held Sacramento State to 262 total yards and three points. The Hornets converted just 3-of-13 third-down attempts and 1-of-4 fourth-down tries. Martin Owusu and Maverick Noonan led the Bulldogs with six tackles apiece, while Owusu added a 14-yard sack. Simeon Harris recorded the game's only takeaway with his second-quarter interception.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless opening quarter, Fresno State broke through seven seconds into the second when Mandal found Rayshon Luke for an 18-yard touchdown. Luke finished with a team-high six receptions for 49 yards.

The Bulldogs struck again on their next offensive play. Mandal connected with Avit for a 73-yard touchdown, and then found Gavin Correia on the ensuing two-point conversion to extend the lead to 15-0.

Fresno State put together a 58-yard scoring drive on its next possession, capped by Mandal's one-yard quarterback keeper with 6:19 remaining in the half.

Harris gave the Bulldogs another opportunity when he intercepted Jackson Sharman on Sacramento State's ensuing possession. Fresno State turned the takeaway into points with an eight-play, 63-yard drive, finished by Donelson's 11-yard touchdown run.

After the defense forced a turnover on downs with 28 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs quickly moved into scoring range. Manaki Watanabe closed the half with a 51-yard field goal as time expired, sending Fresno State into the locker room with a 32-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs continued to pull away in the third quarter. After another fourth-down stop by the defense, Fresno State drove 55 yards and Donelson scored from five yards out to make it 39-0.

Sacramento State broke up the shutout with a 35-yard field goal midway through the third, but Fresno State answered less than three minutes later. Donelson broke free for a 56-yard touchdown, his third score of the night, to push the lead to 46-3.

Watanabe completed the scoring with a 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. He finished 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts and converted all five of his extra-point tries.

Up Next
Fresno State travels to take on San Jose State next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT on FS1. The teams will meet as non-conference opponents for the first time in several years, but still will face off for the Valley Trophy.