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Bulldogs Win WAC Opener 41-24 Over Utah State

By KSEE Sports
September 18, 2010 Updated Sep 18, 2010 at 10:49 PM PDT

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - A.J. Ellis ran for 165 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead Fresno State past Utah State 41-24 Saturday night. The Dogs improved to 2-0 on the season, 1-0 in the WAC. It's the best start for Fresno State since the 2004 season. Fresno State opened the year with a 28-14 win over two-time defending Big East Champion Cincinnati.

Quarterback Ryan Colburn also ran for 44 yards and threw for 149 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0 Western Athletic), who scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

Utah State (1-2, 0-1) led in total offensive yards at the end of three closely played quarters (274-269) and had the score tied at 24, but the Aggies gained only 37 yards in the final quarter. The Bulldog defense held the Aggies to just one first down in the fourth quarter.

USU was led by quarterback Diondre Borel, who threw for 106 yards and ran for 89 more. But Fresno State's defense held Borel to 4-of-13 passing in the second half.

Fresno State's special teams were a big part of the game, as the Dogs blocked a field goal attempt and a punt. Since 2002, Fresno State leads the NCAA in blocks with 51.

POSTGAME NOTES AND QUOTES

Head Coach Pat Hill: "This was a big win. Logan has been a tough place for the Dogs over the years. I haven't seen a crowd like this at Romney Stadium in a while. It was a great atmosphere and Utah State is a very good team. To outscore them 24-7 in the second half was a great effort by our team. Our coaches made some great adjustments at halftime."

"A.J. Ellis had a great game. He made the most of his opportunity. I was really happy for him. He's been working hard and earned his playing time. He played very well tonight."

"Our specials teams did a great job. We really won the kicking game. We had two blocks and our cover teams were very good. I feel very good about that part of our team right now"

"We are 1-0 in the WAC and that huge. We have one more road game and three huge home games in October. Those will be big for our team."

"We are looking forward to heading to Ole Miss. That's going to be a big game in a great atmosphere in an SEC venue."

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