Bulldogs Bitten: Breaking Down Fresno State's Loss to Wisconsin

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

This was a game that Fresno State wanted; this was a game the Bulldogs had looked forward to since it was put on the schedule. The Bulldogs wanted revenge since a heartbreaking 13-10 loss last season.

Unfortunately for Fresno State, it was missed opportunities that led to a 34-31, double-overtime loss to Wisconsin. Three interceptions, including one on the first play in the second overtime, led to Wisconsin sneaking away with another three-point victory.

Here's a few things to take away from this game, both the good and the bad for Fresno State.

QB Ryan Colburn

Colburn played extremely well for being in his first game as a starter, especially playing at Wisconsin, but his poise in the pocket and delivering of big passes really impressed me on this day. Colburn completed 22-of-36 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns, including a big one to wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu in the first overtime.

His downfalls were his three interceptions on the day, two of which came at the most inopportune times.

In the third quarter, after a long run by running back Ryan Mathews that put Fresno State deep into Wisconsin territory, Colburn was intercepted. It ended a promising Fresno State drive that could have ended in a touchdown or, at the least, a field goal that could have put the game out of reach.

In the second overtime, Colburn tried to hit wide receiver Chastin West but underthrew his receiver, allowing the Wisconsin safety to get in front and intercept the ball in the end zone.

That interception would turn out to the be the deciding one, as Wisconsin nailed the  winning field goal a few plays later.

Bulldog Defense

For the entire game, Fresno State's defense really didn't play too poorly. Thanks to three Colburn interceptions, the Bulldog defense was kept on the field a little longer than it should have.

Give the Bulldogs credit, though; Wisconsin was not able to capitalize on those interceptions and was forced to punt.

For most of the first half, the defense did a great job of keeping Wisconsin's offense off the field and, if you saw my keys to the game, keeping Wisconsin's offense off the field was definitely one of them.

Turning point in the game

The turning point in the game came at the end of the first half. The Fresno State defense, instead of playing back to keep the long ball out of play, came on a blitz, allowing Wisconsin to complete a long pass play down the field. That play set up a 57-yard field goal that pulled the Badgers to within a 21-17 score.

Missed opportunity

Fresno State kicker Kevin Goessling, who missed three pivotal field goals in the Bulldogs' 13-10 loss to Wisconsin in 2008, missed another big field goal in the first half that proved to be costly.

With Fresno State already leading, 21-7, the Bulldogs got into easy field goal range for Goessling, but the kick never curled in and missed to the right.

Wisconsin took advantage of the miss and took the ball down the field for touchdown, cutting the Fresno State lead in half.

It doesn't get easier from here

Fresno State boarded a plane back to Fresno to get ready for its showdown against WAC rival Boise State, a game that will be televised on ESPN on Friday night.

From there, the Bulldogs will take their longest road trip of the season. They will fly to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats and then to the Hawaiian islands to take on the Hawaii Warriors.

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