Fresno State has had some success rushing the football against Power Five Conference teams over the past few years, generating 4.8 yards per play last season at USC and 4.3 yards per play this season against Utah, as two examples.
But in a loss at San Jose State in the Bulldogs’ Mountain West opener, they didn’t get a ton done on the ground, this against a defense that went into the game ranked last in the conference in rushing defense, and also something of a surprise. The Spartans in their first three games had been ripped up, allowing an average of 285.