Cal Poly Mustangs at Fresno State Bulldogs 9/11/21 - NCAAF Picks & Predictions

Cal Poly won its opener and Fresno State lost its opener, but it feels like it is the other way around. Fresno State gave No. 11 Oregon all it could handle and led in the fourth quarter before losing 31-24. Cal Poly had to battle to get a 28-17 win over fellow FCS school San Diego. The Bulldogs of Fresno State should be overwhelming favorites when Cal Poly comes to Fresno for a game Saturday. Fresno State is now 1-1, after starting the season with a 45-0 blowout of Connecticut.

Oregon scored with three minutes left to escape with the win over Fresno State. Fresno State had three turnovers, to one for Oregon. The Bulldogs had more yardage than Oregon, 373-358.

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener threw for 285 yards and one touchdown. Over two games, he has passed for 629 yards, completing 72 percent of his passes. He had four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Fresno has 680 yards passing as a team, and 231 rushing. Ron Rives leads the team with 98 yards. 

Cal Poly was outgained 425-362 in total yardage and was at a big disadvantage in time of possession. Spencer Brasch passed for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Cal Poly had just 44 yards rushing. On defense, Elijah Ponder returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Cal Poly played only three games last year, and all three were lopsided losses. The Mustangs were 3-8 in 2019, and are 1-10 over the last 11 games stretching into that season.