(Tucson, AZ) The eleventh year of the Arizona Bowl and the tenth game (no game in 2020 – Covid Year).
This is the second year that the game has had Snoop Dog as the title sponsor. The pre-game tailgate event drew thousands at the University of Arizona Mall which featured the bands from Miami (OH) and Fresno State. Snoop Dog made an appearance much to the delight of the fans.
Miami (OH) Redhawk Mascot. Photo – Andrius Hahn
The Miami Redhawks came in with a 7-6 record losing the MAC Championship Game to Western Michigan 23-23 in Detroit Michigan and also played in last year’s game beating Colorado State 42-17.
The Fresno Stae Bulldogs finished 8-4. There was a four-way tie for first place and a two-way tie for second place which Fresno State fell into.
Both teams can put points on the board with the Redhawks scoring 326 points while allowing 286 points. The Bulldogs scored 317 points and gave up 241 points.
First Quarter
The Bulldogs got the ball first but went three and out, only gaining two yards.
Miami (OH) got great field position at their own 40 yard line after the Fresno State punt. Two plays later they were in the red zone at the Bulldog 20 yard line.
Photo – Andrius Hahn
Fresno State’s defense stiffened and stopped the Redhawk offense. Dom Dzzioban kicked a 33 yard field goal and the game’s first points. Miami (OH) 3-0 at the 9:09 left in the opening quarter.
The Bulldogs again, had problems gaining yards on offense and went three and out for the second consecutive time.
Miami (OH) Quarterback Thomas Gotkowski tried to air it out and was picked off by Jakarta Embry of the Budogs on the first play of the possession .
Finally, the Bulldogs’ got their first 1st down at the 7:00 minute mark off an out pattern on the far sidelines. The success didn’t last long as they were forced to punt again three plays later.
Neither team moved the ball with any consistency in the first quarter. Miami led in total yards 85-40.
Second Qaurter
New quarter, different results as the Bulldogs’ offensive line began to open up some big holes and Fresno State was in business deep inside Mimi (OH) territory. A good commination of run-pass kept the defense off balanced.
After a timeout, and the ball on the Miami 11 yard line, but was unable to convert the first down. Fresno State settled for a 28 yard field goal by Dylan Lynch to tie the game at 3-3 and still half the quarter left,
Miami (OH) punt attempt was marred by a bad snap that caused punter Pierse Stainton to retreat to his end zone while a heavy rush was on. Stainton got the kick off but it was deflected by the Bulldogs and they took over at the Miami (OH) 10 yard line first an goal.
Fresno State salvaged a 23 yard field goal to break the tie and put the Bulldogs up 6-3 with 5:00 left til halftime.
Miami (OH) began their drive with the MAC style “ground and pound” wanting to steal the points just before halftime.
Fresno State’s defense forced a fumble at the 1:33 mark stopping the Redhawks drive deep into their territory. On the first play, Josiah Freeman caught a 47 yard pass and got most of the yards after the catch. They followed up by a 20 yard pass completion.
With two seconds left and a fourth a one, the Bulldogs decided on the chip shot field from 25 yards out to extend their lead 9-3 to end the first half.
Photo – Andrius Hahn
Halftime
Both teams had issues on offense the entire first half with the lack of sustained drives. Fresno State had the better field position and a better passing game. Miami (OH) was better on the ground with 92 yards to just 33 yards through the air.
Third Quarter
Miami (OH) got the ball to start the second half, but only convererted one first down and had to punt.
The Bulldogs got things going on their end with a 51 yard pass completion to Freeman down to the Miami (OH) 28 yard line. Things went south when Lynch’s 28 yard field goal attempt was wide and the score remained 9-3 with 6:52 left in the quarter.
Both teams had missed opportunities. Miami (OH) at the end of the first half with the fumble deep inside Bulldog territory and the missed Fresno State chip shot field goal this quarter.
The futility continued for the Bulldogs when they failed to convert a third and one and actually lost yardage forcing a punt.
The Redhawks gained 23 yards on offense in the third quarter. Fresno State showed they could move the ball between the twenties but were stuffed once they got inside the red zone.
Photo – Andrius Hahn
Fourth Quarter
The Bulldogs converted third and one inside the five to give them hope they could score more than a field goal. On the next play, Warner’s pass to Richie Anderson III from 2 yards out finally scored the game’s first touchdown. The two point try failed and Fresno State led 15-3 to start the final quarter.
Even though there was 9:33 left on the clock, time was not on the Redhawks side as they’d shown absolutely no offense in the game to this point and down by 12 points.
With their furthest penetration in the second half, Miami (OH) had it fourth and ten at the Bulldog 33 yard line. Defensive End Jazhan Jacks came on the rush untouched and sacked Gotkowski to end the threat.
Off the turnover on downs, Fresno State drove to the Redhawks 29 yard line. The Bulldogs looked content to just keep it on the ground and run the clock out. A 37 yard Lynch field goal slammed the door on the Redhawks who trailed 18-3 with just 2:53 left.
Fresno State won the game 18-3 using swarming defense and the inexperienced Redhawk quarterback.
Photo – Andrius Hahn
Wrap Up
Bulldog signal caller E.J. Warner ended up with 214 yards passing with the game’s only touchdown. The Bulldog defense kept Miami (OH) between the 20’s except for their initial drive.
The Fresn0 State interception late in the second quarter changed the momentum and played a huge part in the remainder of the game.
In a game of field goals, the lone touchdown was the dagger to the Redhawks.
Fresno State moves from the Mountain West Conference to the PAC-12 next season with a host of others from the same conference.
Today’s Attendance was 37,232. The Arizona Bowl continues to draw very well against other non CFP/New Year’s Bowls.
Snoop Dogg will once again sponsor the Arizona Bowl next year as well.
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