Booker’s 156 Yards, 2 TDs Lead No. 21 Utah Past Fresno St

The Utah Utes take on the Fresno State Bulldogs tonight in game on the college football schedule between one team that’s nationally ranked and undefeated, and another team that’s coming off a humiliating loss and looking for vengeance in the form of an upset.

Fresno State got embarrassed by Ole Miss last week, 73-21, so they should be better prepared for this one. The defense did their job and minimized the damage, holding Fresno to only a field goal.

The approach paid off as the Utes overcame adversity in the form of playing without injured quarterback Travis Wilson and defensive end Hunter Dimick – as well as losing a fumble on the opening kickoff – to prevail and open a season 3-0 for the second consecutive year.

No matter when Virgil enters the game, an extended stretch on the field against the Utes will be beneficial, just as it was last week at Ole Miss, as the Bulldogs push toward conference play.

“It was devastating when they did that”, Booker said.

Utah running back Devontae Booker (23) rushes for a touchdown… Fresno State has recent victories over Pac-12 member schools Colorado (2001 and 2012), UCLA (2003 and 2008), Washington (2004 on the road) and Oregon State (2001 and 2003).

That score held until late in the first half when Booker scored on a 30-yard run to put the Utes up 17-3 with 3:42 to play in the half.

In 20 games at Bulldog Stadium under head coach Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State owns a 18-2 record and has done it behind an offense that averages 508.7 yards and 40.8 points at home.

The Utes have began the season 2-0 straight up, and 1-1 against the spread. Corey Butler-Byrd returned a kick 98 yards, and then less than two minutes after that, the freshman, Britain Covey returned a punt 77 yards for his first collegiate score. Since 2000, Fresno State has squared off against eight of the teams that make up the Pac-12. Entering game three there was some mystery as to who would be the starting QB, and it’s freshman Chason Virgil getting the nod. “If I do get more reps in practice, and having that game experience from last week will help me moving forward if they call my number”.

Virgil completed 11 of 25 passes for 97 yards and no turnovers before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury early in the fourth quarter. It was Fresno State’s first lead against a power-five conference team since the 2013 season opener. Greenlee finished 6-of-10 for 144 yards and three scores, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why offensive coordinator Dave Schramm seems to be giving these guys different offenses to work with each week.

“We’ve got some things to clean up”, Tu’ikolovatu said.

Senior running back Marteze Waller led the Bulldogs in rushing with 62 yards on 16 carries.