# 2021 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

The 2021 Fresno State Bulldogs football team represented California State University, Fresno as a member of the West Division of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs were led by second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer during the regular season and Lee Marks as interim head coach for their bowl game. They compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, plaching second in the MW's West Division. Fresno State was invited to the New Mexico Bowl, where they beat UTEP. The team played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 28 | 11:00 a.m. | UConn* | | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | CBSSN | W 45–0 | 26,043 |
| September 4 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 11 Oregon* | | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | P12N | L 24–31 | 43,276 |
| September 11 | 7:00 p.m. | Cal Poly* | | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | KFRE-TV | W 63–10 | 30,119 |
| September 18 | 7:45 p.m. | at No. 13 UCLA* | | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | P12N | W 40–37 | 50,698 |
| September 24 | 7:00 p.m. | UNLV | No. 22 | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | CBSSN | W 38–30 | 35,093 |
| October 2 | 8:00 p.m. | at Hawaii | No. 18 | Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexHonolulu, HI (rivalry) | CBSSN | L 24–27 | 0 |
| October 16 | 12:30 p.m. | at Wyoming | | War Memorial StadiumLaramie, WY | FS2 | W 17–0 | 20,002 |
| October 23 | 4:00 p.m. | Nevada | | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | FS1 | W 34–32 | 33,012 |
| October 30 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 21 San Diego State | | Dignity Health Sports ParkCarson, CA (rivalry) | CBSSN | W 30–20 | 11,034 |
| November 6 | 7:00 p.m. | Boise State | No. 23 | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA (rivalry) | CBSSN | L 14–40 | 41,031 |
| November 13 | 4:00 p.m. | New Mexico | | Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA | Stadium | W 34–7 | 35,020 |
| November 25 | 12:30 p.m. | at San Jose State | | CEFCU StadiumSan José, CA (rivalry) | FS1 | W 40–9 | 15,323 |
| December 18 | 11:15 a.m. | vs. UTEP* | | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (New Mexico Bowl) | ESPN | W 31–24 | 16,422 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Pacific time ||||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | RV | 22 | 18 | RV | — | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | RV | — | RV |
| Coaches | — | RV | RV | 25 | 21 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Game summaries
### UConn

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 45 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Saturday, August 28, 2021
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 92 °F (33 °C) 117 degrees on the field • Wind: W 2 mph
* Game attendance: 26,043
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) & Jenny Dell (sideline)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −27.5
| Statistics | UConn | FRES |
| First downs | 9 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 61–107 | 77–538 |
| Rushes–yards | 31–35 | 38–156 |
| Passing yards | 72 | 382 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 14–30–0 | 27–39–1 |
| Time of possession | 29:03 | 30:57 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UConn | Passing | Jack Zergiotis | 12/24, 61 yards |
| UConn | Rushing | Kevin Mensah | 11 carries, 31 yards |
| UConn | Receiving | Cameron Ross | 5 receptions, 37 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 20/26, 331 yards, 3 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 13 carries, 58 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Jalen Cropper | 3 receptions, 87 yards, TD |

### No. 11 Oregon

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 24 |
| No. 11 Ducks | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
at Autzen Stadium • Eugene, Oregon
* Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: SW 2 mph
* Game attendance: 43,276
* Referee: Mark Duddy
* TV announcers (P12N): Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play) & Lincoln Kennedy (analyst)
* Pregame line: Oregon −19
| Statistics | FRES | ORE |
| First downs | 23 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 76–375 | 70–364 |
| Rushes–yards | 30–77 | 49–192 |
| Passing yards | 298 | 172 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 30–43–0 | 15–24–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:33 | 29:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 30/43, 298 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Jordan Mims | 4 carries, 47 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Josh Kelly | 6 receptions, 84 yards |
| Oregon | Passing | Anthony Brown | 15/24, 172 yards, TD |
| Oregon | Rushing | C. J. Verdell | 18 carries, 74 yards, TD |
| Oregon | Receiving | Johnny Johnson III | 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD |

### Cal Poly

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mustangs | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 63 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 90 °F (32 °C) • Wind: NW 8 mph
* TV announcers (KFRE-TV): Ralph Wood (play-by-play), Cameron Worrell (analyst) & Kevin Miller (sideline)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −32.5
| Statistics | CP | FRES |
| First downs | 13 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 74–274 | 67–671 |
| Rushes–yards | 35–53 | 38–196 |
| Passing yards | 221 | 475 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 19–37–1 | 22–29–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:53 | 29:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Cal Poly | Passing | Spencer Brasch | 18/33, 212 yards, TD, INT |
| Cal Poly | Rushing | Chuby Dunu | 10 carries, 32 yards |
| Cal Poly | Receiving | Chris Coleman | 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 17/22, 380 yards, 4 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 14 carries, 64 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Josh Kelly | 3 receptions 127 yards, 2 TD |

### No. 13 UCLA

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 6 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 40 |
| No. 13 Bruins | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 37 |
at Rose Bowl • Pasadena, California
* Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021
* Game time: 7:45 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind: WSW 6 mph
* Game attendance: 50,698
* Referee: Francisco Villar
* TV announcers (P12N): Ted Robinson (play-by-play) & Yogi Roth (analyst)
* Pregame line: UCLA −11.0
| Statistics | FRES | UCLA |
| First downs | 33 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 91–569 | 53–395 |
| Rushes–yards | 37–114 | 29–117 |
| Passing yards | 455 | 278 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 39–54–1 | 14–24–0 |
| Time of possession | 40:20 | 19:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 39/53, 455 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 21 carries, 136 yards, 2 TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Jalen Cropper | 14 receptions, 141 yards, TD |
| UCLA | Passing | Dorian Thompson-Robinson | 14/24, 278 yards, 3 TD |
| UCLA | Rushing | Dorian Thompson-Robinson | 13 carries, 67 yards |
| UCLA | Receiving | Kyle Philips | 7 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD |

### UNLV

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rebels | 14 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 30 |
| No. 22 Bulldogs | 0 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 38 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Friday, September 24, 2021
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Smokey • Temperature: 92 °F (33 °C) • Wind: E 3 mph
* Game attendance: 35,093
* Referee: Timothy Davis
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Jason Knapp (play-by-play) & Donte Whitner (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −30.0
| Statistics | UNLV | FRES |
| First downs | 18 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 64–433 | 64–461 |
| Rushes–yards | 36–152 | 23–83 |
| Passing yards | 281 | 378 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–28–0 | 30–42–1 |
| Time of possession | 46:36 | 28:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UNLV | Passing | Doug Brumfield | 6/13, 143 yards, 2 TD |
| UNLV | Rushing | Charles Williams | 19 carries, 102 yards, TD |
| UNLV | Receiving | Charles Williams | 3 receptions, 96 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 30/42, 378 yards, 5 TD, INT |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 14 carries, 48 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Keric Wheatfall | 5 receptions, 115 yards |

### Hawaii

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Bulldogs | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Rainbow Warriors | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 27 |
at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex • Honolulu, Hawaii
* Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: E 13 mph
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Cal McNeill
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Noah Eagle (play-by-play) & Aaron Murray (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −10.5
| Statistics | FRES | HAW |
| First downs | 31 | 21 |
| Plays–yards | 82–505 | 71–348 |
| Rushes–yards | 31–117 | 44–232 |
| Passing yards | 388 | 116 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–51–4 | 11–27–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:18 | 28:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 28/50, 388 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 15 carries, 74 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Zane Pope | 5 receptions, 113 yards, TD |
| Hawaii | Passing | Brayden Schager | 11/27, 116 yards, 2 TD |
| Hawaii | Rushing | Dae Dae Hunter | 21 carries, 127 yards |
| Hawaii | Receiving | Calvin Turner | 4 receptions, 41 yards, TD |

### Wyoming

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, Wyoming
* Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 47 °F (8 °C) • Wind: WSW 9 mph
* TV announcers (FS2): Dan Hellie (play-by-play) & Petros Papadakis (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −3.5
| Statistics | FRES | WYO |
| First downs | 14 | 15 |
| Plays–yards | 71–259 | 63–271 |
| Rushes–yards | 43–163 | 33–128 |
| Passing yards | 96 | 143 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–28–0 | 9–30–4 |
| Time of possession | 32:40 | 27:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 15/28, 96 yards, 2 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Jordan Mims | 13 carries, 78 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Zane Pope | 2 receptions, 33 yards |
| Wyoming | Passing | Sean Chambers | 8/23, 111 yards, 3 INT |
| Wyoming | Rushing | Sean Chambers | 12 carries, 51 yards |
| Wyoming | Receiving | Ayden Eberhardt | 2 receptions, 45 yards |

### Nevada

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 32 |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: NW 8 mph
* Game attendance: 33,012
* TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (play-by-play) & Petros Papadakis (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −3.5
| Statistics | NEV | FRES |
| First downs | 30 | 24 |
| Plays–yards | 80–501 | 69–474 |
| Rushes–yards | 21–47 | 30–205 |
| Passing yards | 476 | 256 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 49–61–1 | 26–38–0 |
| Time of possession | 34:03 | 25:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 49/61, 476 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Toa Taua | 12 carries, 62 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Romeo Doubs | 19 receptions, 203 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 26/38, 256 yards, 2 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 23 carries 134 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Keric Wheatfall | 5 receptions, 84 yards, TD |

### No. 21 San Diego State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 30 |
| No. 21 Aztecs | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
at Dignity Health Sports Park • Carson, California
* Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: W 5 mph
* Game attendance: 11,034
* Referee: Steve Baron
* TV announcers (CBSSN): Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), & Amanda Guerra (sideline)
* Pregame line: San Diego State −1.0
| Statistics | FRES | SDSU |
| First downs | 24 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 77–484 | 72–427 |
| Rushes–yards | 34–179 | 33–165 |
| Passing yards | 306 | 247 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 25–43–0 | 17–38–2 |
| Time of possession | 32:58 | 27:02 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 25/42, 306 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Jordan Mims | 29 carries, 168 yards, 2 TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Josh Kelly | 5 receptions, 107 yards |
| San Diego State | Passing | Lucas Johnson | 14/31, 220 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Greg Bell | 15 carries, 63 yards, TD |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Elijah Kothe | 5 receptions, 105 yards |

### Boise State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 10 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 40 |
| No. 23 Bulldogs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: NW 8 mph
* TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), & Lindsay Rhodes (sideline)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −5.0
| Statistics | BSU | FRES |
| First downs | 24 | 18 |
| Plays–yards | 79–470 | 65–346 |
| Rushes–yards | 50–187 | 27–77 |
| Passing yards | 283 | 279 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–28–1 | 22–38–3 |
| Time of possession | 36:09 | 23:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Boise State | Passing | Hank Bachmeier | 15/27, 283 yards, TD |
| Boise State | Rushing | George Holani | 21 carries, 117 yards |
| Boise State | Receiving | George Holani | 2 receptions, 69 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 22/38, 279 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 12 carries, 79 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Keric Wheatfall | 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD |

### New Mexico

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lobos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
at Bulldog Stadium • Fresno, California
* Date: Saturday, November 13, 2021
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: NW 3 mph
* Game attendance: 35,020
* Referee: Kevin Hassell
* TV announcers (Stadium): Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), JJ Raterink (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −24.5
| Statistics | UNM | FRES |
| First downs | 7 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 46–196 | 71–399 |
| Rushes–yards | 38–162 | 40–97 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 397 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 2–8–1 | 24–37–0 |
| Time of possession | 26:40 | 33:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| New Mexico | Passing | Isaiah Chavez | 2/7, 34 yards, INT |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Aaron Dumas | 23 carries, 143 yards, TD |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Trace Bruckler | 1 reception, 25 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 24/31, 300 yards, 3 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 20 carries, 71 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Jordan Mims | 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD |

### San Jose State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 40 |
| Spartans | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at CEFCU Stadium • San Jose, California
* Date: Thursday, November 25, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NW 2 mph
* TV announcers (FS1): Alex Faust (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −7.5
| Statistics | FRES | SJSU |
| First downs | 27 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 72–486 | 69–320 |
| Rushes–yards | 34–138 | 26–60 |
| Passing yards | 348 | 260 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–37–0 | 19–43–0 |
| Time of possession | 34:44 | 25:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 27/36, 343 yards, 4 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Ronnie Rivers | 14 carries, 65 yards |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Ronnie Rivers | 5 receptions, 91 yards, TD |
| San Jose State | Passing | Nick Starkel | 19/42, 260 yards |
| San Jose State | Rushing | Tyler Nevens | 12 carries, 45 yards |
| San Jose State | Receiving | Malikhi Miller | 4 receptions, 78 yards |

### Vs. UTEP (New Mexico Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Miners | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Bulldogs | 9 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 31 |
at University Stadium • Albuquerque, New Mexico
* Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021
* Game time: 11:15 a.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 40 °F (4 °C) • Wind: NW 2 mph
* TV announcers (ESPN): John Schriffen (play-by-play), Rene Ingoglia (color), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
* Pregame line: Fresno State −11.0
| Statistics | UTEP | FRES |
| First downs | 16 | 26 |
| Plays–yards | 56–391 | 76–467 |
| Rushes–yards | 29–88 | 35–181 |
| Passing yards | 303 | 286 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 13–27–1 | 26–41–0 |
| Time of possession | 25:17 | 34:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UTEP | Passing | Gavin Hardison | 12/27, 252 yards, TD, INT |
| UTEP | Rushing | Ronald Awatt | 14 carries, 40 yards, TD |
| UTEP | Receiving | Tyrin Smith | 3 receptions, 61 yards |
| Fresno State | Passing | Jake Haener | 26/41, 286 yards, TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Jordan Mims | 29 carries, 165 yards, 2 TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Jalen Cropper | 9 receptions, 72 yards |