Washington State 2024 Opponent Scouting Report: Fresno State

Jared Miller | Jul 22, 2024

Dec 17, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Cameron Ward (1) is sacked by Fresno State Bulldogs defensive back Cam Lockridge (20) in the second half of the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It'll be a rematch of the 2022 LA Bowl in Week 7 for Washington State and Fresno State.

Who/When/Where: Valley Children's Stadium will open its doors for the Cougars on October 12 and waiting inside will be the Bulldogs of Fresno State. These two were dance partners in the LA Bowl two years ago but both look quite a bit different now. The Bulldogs are fresh off an impressive 9-4 run but, at this point in the year, WSU will be coming in off their bye week. A fun one might be in store as Autumn sets in out West.

Offensive Players to Watch: Mikey Keene (QB), Malik Sherrod (RB), Mose Vavao (OL)

Defensive Players to Watch: Devo Bridges (DL), Malachi Langley (LB), Dean Clark (DB)

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Fresno State did a lot of things well in 2023, particularly on offense. Quarterback Mikey Keene (#1) is going to be a problem matchup for the WSU defense under center because he can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. Keene, who threw for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdowns last fall, can extend plays with the best of them and is very accurate even on the move. If Keene is not pressured he has the ability to roll out and either keep plays alive long enough for his receivers to make space. Although he won't call his own number and run often, it's not entirely out of his wheelhouse either.

Most of the ground game instead will center on senior running back Malik Sherrod (#2). Sherrod nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards a season ago and led the way for a Fresno State rushing attack that averaged 106.6 yards per contest. He's a tough, in-your-face runner that will keep his legs churning on most every play. Sherrod is great at picking up extra yards after initial contact and if Washington State's defenders don't wrap up and practice the fundamentals of tackling, Sherrod will surely make them pay.

Sherrod will be complimented by fellow back Elijah Gilliam (#33), also a senior, didn't have nearly as many touches or yards as Sherrod but still was an integral part of the Bulldogs scheme on the ground. Both backs are viable targets in the passing attack also, as each had more than ten catches and over 100 yards receiving in 2023.

Fresno State saw the success they did last year thanks in large part to a really good offensive line. A major player on that O line is senior guard Mose Vavao (#51). A second-team all-Mountain West selection last season, Vavao anchored a group that paved the way for over 1,600 total yards of rushing offense. Vavao is extremely disclipled and seldom will have a penalty called on him. In fact, he was one of only four lineman in the G5 to not have a single infraction called on him in at least 650 consecutive snaps.

Defensively, Fresno State will field some strong line talent as well, the most notable being senior Devo Bridges (#5). Bridges made eight tackles for loss and got in 3.5 sacks while forcing eight QB hurries last year. He is a force as a pass rusher but also has an inated awareness for the ball even after it's left the quarterback's hands. Bridges wound up with a PBU and an interception in 2023 as well. He is strong, quick off the snap and can curl past blockers as good as anyone on the Bulldogs roster.

Over the middle and on the back end the players to watch will be a pair of seniors in linebacker Malachi Langley (#9) and DB Dean Clark (#32). Clark was one of the best tacklers in the entire conference last year, posting 83 total, finishing in the Mountain West's Top-15 in that category. It's easy to see why with his speed and pursuit of the ball. Clark can close in from practically anywhere on the field in the run and short passing game. He is also dangerous in coverage, though, as he snagged three picks and knocked down four throws in 2023.

Langley, meanwhile, is just as effective of a tackler, leading the Bulldogs with 84 stops last year. He, like the aforementioned Clark, closes on the ball carrier very well and has the strength to often stop his target on his own. Langley hits hard and has a nose for where the play is going meaning that if WSU is not clever in the disguises pre-snap, Langley may be the one to blow up plays before they can even get going.

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Final Analysis: Fresno State may not be one of the hot-button games on the Cougars schedule this season, but the Bulldogs are not going to be an easy matchup, especially at home - a place they only lost once last year. Washington State's make-or-break here will likely be how well it plays on defense because the Bulldogs return almost everyone on their offense that ranked near the top of the Mountain West in several categories in 2023. If the Cougs' defense does indeed show up, then it'll be a game, but if they don't, it'll be a long afternoon in California.