Fresno State loses to Utah State, 28-17. Title Game hopes dashed.

The season of giving is just around the corner for most, but it arrived in Fresno on Saturday night when the Fresno State Bulldogs gave away their chance at a Mountain West Championship Game with a 28-17 loss to the Utah State Aggies.

On a cold and crisp night by Fresno standards, EJ Warner returned to quarterback the Bulldogs, replacing Carson Conklin, who had replaced Warner. Warner and Speedy Luke helped Fresno State to a 17-7 halftime lead, only to see the offense and the aforementioned MWC Championship Game disappear into the night air in the second half.

After trading punts in the first quarter, Luke showed off his nickname, rumbling 69 yards for a touchdown to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

Utah State responded later in the quarter following a Warner interception, with a touchdown of their own to tie the contest at 7-7.

In the second quarter, Dylan Lynch would kick a field goal to give Fresno State a 10-7 lead. Then, late in the first half, Warner found Jahlil McLain from 43 yards out for a score to make it 17-7.

The offense apparently forgot to return to the field, while Utah State’s pulled out all the stops.

Using their dual threat quarterback, Bryson Barnes, to the best of his ability, the Aggies ran trick plays, quarterback rushes, and long drives to score 21 unanswered points in the second 30 minutes.

Barnes would catch a touchdown from Anthony Garcia to end a long, 15-play 78-yard drive, to make it 17-14.

In the fourth quarter, Javen Jacobs added two touchdown runs to allow the visitors to leave as happily as stuffed patrons after Thanksgiving dinner.

“Offensively, we just got out of rhythm in the second half and couldn’t get back into one,” head coach Matt Entz told the media after the contest. “We had opportunities in the red zone and couldn’t get points on the board. That’s not recipe for success. I want to give kudos to Utah State, especially their quarterback. He’s one of the best players I’ve seen in the conference all season.”

The loss is not the end all for the Bulldogs, although it does mean no chance of a rematch with San Diego State. Fresno State still has one game left in the regular season, when they travel to meet San Jose State next Saturday night.

With a win, the Bulldogs can build some momentum heading into their bowl game. And perhaps take out some frustration from the Utah State contest.