Fresno State recently suffered a disappointing 49-21 defeat against Colorado State, raising questions about the team’s offensive backfield. This game highlighted serious defensive shortcomings, notably the defense allowing 193 rushing yards, with 152 of those yards accrued after contact. The Rams also passed for 144 yards, with a staggering 110 of those yards gained after the catch.
Defensive Struggles in the Loss
The statistics from the game are alarming. The practice efficiency of the Fresno State defense was notably compromised, and they recorded their highest missed tackles of the season at 15. Colorado State’s total offense was largely unexpected, as they ranked low in various offensive metrics for the Mountain West Conference prior to this game.
- Rushing yards allowed: 193 yards
- Passing yards allowed: 144 yards
- Missed tackles by Fresno State: 15
- Yards gained after contact: 152 yards
Despite these defensive challenges, Houston quarterback E.J. Warner put forth a solid individual performance, passing for 350 yards. He surpassed the significant milestone of 10,000 career passing yards during the game. However, with the team averaging just 21 points after substantial yardage, it raises concerns regarding offensive consistency.
Offensive Concerns Moving Forward
This season, Fresno State has averaged 29.3 points per game, including contributions from special teams and defensive scores. However, the Bulldogs scored only 21 points against Colorado State, a troubling trend reflected in their recent performances.
- Points scored in last three games: 23, 20, and 21
- Warner’s downfield passing attempts: 8 out of 9 total attempts
- 300-yard passing games average points consistency: 38.5 points
Fresno State’s rushing attack showed potential, particularly from Brandon Ramirez, who was effective during his limited carries. However, overall rushing performance remains a point of concern, with Bryson Donelson struggling to make significant impacts.
Evaluation of the Offensive Backfield
The performance of the backfield is under scrutiny, especially given the heavy reliance on running plays during first downs. The Bulldogs executed rushes on 65.7% of first downs, one of the highest rates in the conference.
Head Coach Matt Entz has hinted at making adjustments to the backfield rotation. However, it remains to be seen if changes will yield improved offensive outcomes. Previous seasons have shown that a successful three-back rotation can produce results, evidenced by the team’s performance in 2017.
As the season progresses, it is essential for Fresno State to enhance both their offensive strategy and defensive robustness. The recent loss against Colorado State serves as a wake-up call, compelling the Bulldogs to reevaluate their approach moving forward.
