Matt Entz liked a lot about what he saw Saturday in his first win as Fresno State’s head football coach. The Bulldogs trailed Georgia Southern at halftime but scored 32 unanswered points to earn their first win of the year.
Entz liked that his team was called for just two penalties and has been flagged just six times in two games. He liked that his offensive line didn’t give up a sack and that his defense surrendered just 84 yards on the ground.
Most of all, Entz liked what he saw from the Bulldogs’ running game, which should lead the way again when Fresno State (1-1) hits the road to face Oregon State on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, The CW).
Fresno State finished its 42-14 win over Georgia Southern with 351 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. It was the Bulldogs’ most rushing yards in a game since 2014. As a team, they averaged 7.8 yards a carry.
“If you can run for 351 yards, I don’t care what level of football you’re at, that’s a good day,” Entz said at his weekly press conference on Monday. “That’ll be one I remember for a long time because of our consistency.”
Fresno State’s running backs consistently broke tackles against Georgia Southern, led by sophomore Bryson Donelson, who had a career day with 23 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown. Speedy Arizona transfer Rayshon Luke added 96 yards and three touchdowns. Entz said breaking tackles has been the running backs’ main focus since spring ball.
“Our playmakers need to be able to break tackles,” he said. “There’s always someone you can’t block on defense, and it’s going to be a one-on-one tackle.”
Oregon State (0-1) had a respectable day defensively last weekend, giving up just 122 rushing yards in a 34-15 loss to Cal. Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy had a strong debut for the Beavers. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 244 yards and added 15 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Beavers couldn’t run the ball against the Bears, though. They managed just 65 yards on the ground.
Fresno State At Oregon State Betting Line
Oregon State is a three-point college football betting odds favorite on BetMGM, and the Over/Under is 45.5 points. The moneyline is at -150 for Oregon State and at +125 for Fresno State.
Fresno State is 5-15 overall and 12-8 against the spread in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road. Oregon State is 17-3 overall and 14-6 ATS in its past 20 games as the favorite at home.
Fresno State at Oregon State On TV
Fresno State-Oregon State will be televised Saturday on The CW. Fresno State and Oregon State will join Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, Texas State, and Gonzaga (basketball and Olympic sports) in the rebuilt Pac-12 next season.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Fresno State At Oregon State Prediction
I predict Fresno State wins 24-17.
Murphy is going to be a lot for any defense to handle. He’s a pass-first quarterback who is athletic and intelligent enough to beat teams with his legs. Oregon State also has a talented, experienced running back in Anthony Hankerson, but Fresno State’s backfield could be the story once again. Donelson, Luke, and Elijah Gilliam should help the Bulldogs control the game, but quarterback EJ Warner can’t continue turning the ball over. He has thrown two interceptions in each of Fresno State’s first two games. If that happens on Saturday, Oregon State will likely make him pay.
