Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Recap: Idaho vs. Fresno State

Ryan Mathews ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns to power the Fresno State Bulldogs in a 31-21 victory over the Idaho Vandals in a Western Athletic Conference showdown at the Kibbie Dome.

Quarterback Ryan Colburn went a perfect 14-of-14 for 159 yards and a touchdown, as the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1 WAC) won their fifth straight game.

Brian Reader guided Idaho (7-3, 4-2) in the loss with 240 yards and two scores on 12-of-25 tosses. He also had a rushing touchdown. Maurice Shaw was his main target with three receptions for 93 yards and a score, while DeMaundray Woolridge rushed for 97 yards on 10 carries.

It didn't take long for FSU to strike, as Mathews ran 77 yards to paydirt on the first play from scrimmage. The Bulldogs extended their lead midway through the first quarter, when Colburn threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Seyi Ajirotutu. A 52-yard field goal by Kevin Goessling late in the period gave FSU a 17-0 lead.

The second quarter nearly ended scoreless until Mathews plunged one yard for a touchdown with just over a minute remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 24-0 lead at the break.

Idaho finally got on the board with just under six minutes left in the third quarter, as Reader capped a 98-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Max Komar.

FSU, though, would respond with 47 seconds left in the third period, as Mathews scored on a one-yard run.

Reader had a four-yard touchdown run and a 69-yard scoring strike to Shaw in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough for Idaho in the 31-21 loss.

The Bulldogs went 5-of-11 on third downs compared to just 2-of-10 by the Vandals, as FSU held onto the ball for over 36 minutes of the game.

Game Notes