No. 25 Fresno State seeks its 14th straight win in the conference opener against Nevada
Arizona State defensive lineman Prince Dorbah (32) pressures Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene during the second half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
Nevada (0-4) at No. 25 Fresno State (4-0), Saturday, 10:40 p.m. ET (FS1)
Line: Fresno State by 24 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: Fresno State leads 31-22-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The game is the Mountain West opener for both teams. Fresno State moved into the AP Top 25 poll this week after winning its 13th straight game. The Bulldogs have the second-longest active winning streak in the nation behind two-time defending-champion Georgia. Nevada has lost 14 straight games for the longest active losing streak in the country.
KEY MATCHUP
Nevada pass D vs. Fresno State QB Mikey Keene. The Wolf Pack have allowed 340.5 yards passing per game and 10 TD passes, ranking in the bottom five in both categories. They need to slow down Keene and a Bulldogs passing offense that is averaging 313.8 yards per game.
Fresno State defensive back Carlton Johnson (2) celebrates with linebacker Levelle Bailey after intercepting an Arizona State pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nevada: LB Drue Watts is one of the few bright spots for the Wolf Pack. He has recovered a fumble in each of the first four games and leads the nation with four fumble recoveries. Watts also had an interception in the season finale last year to give him takeaways in five straight games.
Fresno State: WR Erik Brooks has 32 catches for 448 yards and four TDs, ranking in the top 10 in the nation in catches and yards. Brooks is the first Bulldog receiver since at least 2000 to have more than 400 yards receiving in the first four games of the season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Fresno State has won the last two meetings in the series. ... The Wolf Pack have been outscored by 24.3 ppg, worst in the nation. ... Nevada has thrown only one TD pass all season. ... Wolf Pack K Brandon Talton made his 72nd career FG last week to tie Marty Zendejas's school record. ... The Bulldogs are on their longest winning streak since winning a school-record 17 in a row in 1988-89. ... This is Fresno State's best start to a season since 2013 when the Bulldogs won their first 10 games. ... Fresno State has scored n every quarter this season. ... Jalen Moss had 120 yards receiving last week to become the first Fresno State freshman to top the 100-yard mark in a game since Davante Adams in 2012.
