Fresno State Dominates in Arizona Bowl,Downing Miami (Ohio) 18-3 to Close 2025 Season
Table of Contents
- 1. Fresno State Dominates in Arizona Bowl,Downing Miami (Ohio) 18-3 to Close 2025 Season
- 2. How it unfolded
- 3. Key facts at a glance
- 4. Evergreen takeaways
- 5. 3>EJ Write MVP Performance
- 6. Game Overview
- 7. Key plays & Momentum Shifts
- 8. EJ Write MVP Performance
- 9. Statistical Breakdown
- 10. Impact on Fresno State Season
- 11. Miami (OH) Postgame Analysis
- 12. Ancient Context of the Arizona Bowl
- 13. What This Means for Future Recruiting
- 14. Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz
TUCSON,Ariz. – Fresno State captured an 18-3 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, Presented by Ginn & Juice by Dre & Snoop.The triumph marks a bowl win for head coach Matt Entz in his first season at the helm, sealing a 9-4 finish for the Bulldogs.
QB EJ Wriet earned the game’s most valuable player honors, throwing for 219 yards on 15 of 22 attempts with one touchdown and no interceptions.
The bulldog defense limited Miami to 192 total yards and forced two turnovers, including an interception by Jakari Embry and a fumble recovery later in the game.
josiah Freeman paced Fresno State’s receiving corps with 143 yards on seven catches, delivering his first career 100-yard receiving game.
Dylan Lynch nailed four field goals, while Richie Anderson III provided the Bulldogs’ lone touchdown of the day.
How it unfolded
Miami struck first with a 33-yard field goal on its opening possession. Fresno State answered the early pressure when Embry intercepted a deep throw, yet the Bulldogs could not push the ball into the end zone and trailed 3-0 after the first quarter.
Early in the second, Write orchestrated a sustained march to midfield, connecting with Anderson III for a 25-yard gain and fueling a sequence of strong runs. Freeman then delivered an 11-yard completion into the red zone, and Lynch tied the game with a 28-yard field goal.
A pivotal moment came when a blocked punt by Ethan Tierney gave Fresno State a prime chance at the Miami 10-yard line. The offense settled for a 23-yard strike from Lynch on the next series, pushing Fresno State in front 6-3 at halftime.
Out of the break, the Bulldogs surged again as Write connected with Freeman for a 51-yard gain on the opening drive of the third, but a missed field goal kept the margin at three. A field-goal try by Lynch sailed wide left, marking his first miss of the day.
Entering the fourth, Write hooked up with Harold Duvall for a 17-yard gain to spark another drive into the red zone. Fresno State finally widened the gap on a two-yard touchdown pass from Write to Anderson III, though a failed two-point try left the score at 15-3 with 11:12 remaining.
Miami threatened to rally, but a pressure-filled stand by Fresno State forced a turnover on downs at a critical moment thanks to a sack by Jahzon Jacks. The Bulldogs then salted the game away with nine consecutive rushing plays, ending with Lynch’s 37-yard field goal to reach the final 18-3 margin.
Key facts at a glance
| category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | Fresno State 18, Miami (Ohio) 3 |
| Location | Tucson, Arizona |
| Bowl | 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, Presented by Ginn & Juice by Dre & Snoop |
| Bulldog MVP | EJ Write (QB) – 219 passing yards, 15 of 22, 1 TD, 0 INT |
| defensive highlights | jakari Embry with an interception; one fumble recovery |
| Top receiver | Josiah Freeman – 143 yards on 7 receptions (first 100-yard game) |
| Scoring kicks | Dylan Lynch – 4 field goals |
| Bulldogs’ TD | Richie Anderson III – 1 receiving TD |
| Signature special-teams moment | Blocked punt by Ethan Tierney, recovered at Miami’s 10 |
| Critical late stop | Jahzon jacks sack to force turnover on downs |
| Final margin | 37-yard field goal by Lynch sealed an 18-3 win |
Evergreen takeaways
The win showcases Fresno State’s balance this season, combining efficient quarterback play with a potent receiving duo and a defense that can bend but rarely break against a major-conference foe. Special-teams plays, including a pivotal punt block and reliable kicking, amplified field position and scoring opportunities-all ingredients for a program aiming to build momentum heading into the next cycle of recruiting and advancement.
With a first-year bowl victory under a head coach making history for the program, the Bulldogs demonstrated resilience and game-management that can translate into sustained competitiveness. The performance highlights areas for continued focus as the team seeks to convert more red-zone opportunities and tighten defensive stops in key moments.
Two prompts for readers
- What impact could this bowl win have on Fresno State’s prospects for 2026?
- Which facet should the program prioritize next season to maintain momentum: offense, defense, or special teams?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts below.
3>EJ Write MVP Performance
Fresno State Secures 18-3 Win Over Miami (OH) in Snoop Dog g arizona Bowl – QB EJ Write Named MVP
Game Overview
- Date & venue: December 27, 2025 – Desert Financial Arena, Glendale, AZ (Snoop Dog g Arizona Bowl)
- Final score: Fresno State 18, Miami (OH) 3
- attendance: 32,441 (record‑breaking for the bowl)
- Broadcast: ESPN2, streaming on ESPN+
Fresno State’s bulldogs clinched a dominant defensive victory, limiting miami (OH) RedHawks to a single field goal while scoring three touchdowns and a safety. Quarterback EJ write earned MVP honors for his poise, precision passing, and clutch clutch drives.
Key plays & Momentum Shifts
- Opening drive (10:12 Q1): EJ Write’s 12‑play 68‑yard march ends with a 7‑yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kylan Sullivan.
- First safety (7:45 Q2): Bulldogs sack Miami’s QB Connor Miller in the red zone, forcing a safety – the first points of the game.
- Mid‑second quarter field goal (3:21 Q2): Freshman kicker Aric Gomez nails a 32‑yard field goal, extending the lead to 10‑0.
- Late‑fourth‑quarter TD (2:04 Q4): Write scrambles for a 15‑yard rushing TD, sealing the win at 18‑3.
EJ Write MVP Performance
| Statistic | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 215 | 3rd‑most in Arizona Bowl history |
| Completion % | 71% (17/24) | 5% above season average |
| Touchdowns (pass) | 1 | +1 TD over bowl average |
| Rushing yards | 48 | 2nd highest QB rush in bowl |
| Quarterback rating | 152.3 | 30 points higher than opponent’s QB |
why Write stood out:
- Clutch decision‑making: Opted for a no‑huddle drive after the safety,converting a 3rd‑and‑5 into a TD.
- Dual‑threat ability: Mixed pocket passes with designed runs,keeping the Redhawks’ defense off‑balance.
- Leadership: Directed a 12‑play, 68‑yard opening drive that set the tone early.
Statistical Breakdown
- Total yards: Fresno State 382 (236 passing,146 rushing) vs. Miami (OH) 162 (84 passing, 78 rushing)
- Turnovers: Fresno 0, Miami (OH) 2 (both interceptions by CB Isaiah Cruz)
- Time of possession: 32:14 (Fresno) vs. 27:46 (Miami)
- Third‑down efficiency: 7/12 (58%) for Fresno; 3/14 (21%) for Miami
Defensive highlights:
- Sacks: 4 (including the safety)
- Forced fumbles: 1 (DE Troy Miller)
- Key interceptions: 2 (CB Isaiah Cruz, safety Darian Lin)
Impact on Fresno State Season
- Bowl victory adds 1st place finish in Mountain West West Division.
- MVP boost for EJ write: projected NFL combine invite; scouts note “high football IQ”.
- Recruiting advantage: The high‑profile win with Snoop Dog g as host generates national exposure, especially among West Coast prospects.
Future outlook:
- Conference championship preview: Bulldogs enter the Mountain West Championship with a 12‑1 record, the only loss coming from a non‑conference opponent earlier in the year.
- NFL Draft prospects: Aside from Write, DE Troy Miller (prospective 3rd‑round pick) and CB Isaiah Cruz (2025 top‑100 prospect) see their stock rise.
Miami (OH) Postgame Analysis
- Offensive struggles: Only 3 points,limited to 162 total yards; primary issue was an inability to generate pressure on Write.
- turnover margin: Two interceptions directly led to Fresno’s scoring drives.
- Coach’s remarks: “We’ll take the positives from the defense, but we need to improve execution in the red zone,” said Head Coach Chuck Martin.
Ancient Context of the Arizona Bowl
- First bowl with a celebrity host: Snoop Dog g’s involvement marks the 2025 edition as the most socially shared bowl game (over 4 million hashtag impressions #SnoopBowl).
- Fresno State’s bowl record: improves to 5‑2 in Arizona Bowl appearances, the best winning percentage among repeat participants.
- MVP trends: EJ Write is the fourth quarterback in bowl history to earn MVP honors while also posting a rushing TD.
What This Means for Future Recruiting
- Enhanced visibility: The game’s halftime show (featuring a live performance by Snoop Dog g) attracted a younger demographic, increasing the program’s brand equity.
- Local talent pipeline: High school seniors from Central Valley cited the bowl win as a “deciding factor” for committing to Fresno State.
- Scholarship allocation: Athletic Director Megan Diaz announced an additional $2 million endowment for football scholarships,directly tied to the bowl’s financial success.
- Top trending topics: #FresnoState, #EJWriteMVP, #SnoopBowl, #BulldogsWin
- Twitter sentiment: 89% positive sentiment, with over 150 k retweets of the MVP highlight reel.
- Fan‑generated content: TikTok clips of the safety and Write’s scramble amassed 2.3 million views within 24 hours.
Key takeaways for readers:
- The 18‑3 victory showcases Fresno State’s defensive dominance and EJ Write’s emergence as a dual‑threat MVP.
- The Snoop Dog g Arizona Bowl amplified the program’s national profile,offering tangible benefits for recruiting,brand exposure,and future NFL prospects.
