TUCSON, Ariz. — Fresno State leaned on a suffocating defense and steady special teams to control the Arizona Bowl, defeating Miami (Ohio) 18–3 on Saturday night.
Quarterback E.J. Warner threw for 214 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Dylan Lynch accounted for the bulk of the scoring by drilling four field goals. The Bulldogs’ defense did the rest, limiting the RedHawks to just one scoring opportunity all evening.
Miami struck first on its opening drive, advancing to the Fresno State 15-yard line before settling for a 33-yard field goal by Dom Dzioban. That would be as close as the RedHawks came the rest of the night. Fresno State’s defense tightened quickly, never allowing Miami back into the red zone and holding the RedHawks to 192 total yards.
Lynch swung momentum in the second quarter, converting three field goals — all from inside 30 yards — to give the Bulldogs a 9–3 halftime lead. The score remained unchanged through a scoreless third quarter dominated by defensive stops and field position battles.
Early in the fourth, Fresno State finally broke through the end zone. Warner capped a methodical drive with a short, 2-yard touchdown pass to Richie Anderson III. The Bulldogs attempted a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 14, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving the margin at 15–3.
Lynch sealed the outcome late, connecting on a 37-yard field goal with 2:56 remaining. It was his longest make of the night and his fourth successful kick in five attempts.
Fresno State, one of the nation’s top defensive units throughout the season, showcased its identity by keeping Miami in check from start to finish. The Bulldogs entered the game among a small group of FBS teams allowing fewer than 300 yards per game and reinforced that reputation with another disciplined performance.
Warner finished 16 of 23 passing without an interception, and Josiah Freeman led the receiving corps with seven catches for 143 yards as Fresno State closed the season 9–4. The victory marked a successful bowl debut for first-year head coach Matt Entz and extended the program’s bowl streak to five consecutive seasons.
Miami (7–7), also making its fifth straight bowl appearance, couldn’t replicate last year’s Arizona Bowl success. Freshman quarterback Thomas Gotkowski completed 6 of 22 passes for 72 yards and was intercepted once as the RedHawks were unable to generate sustained offense.
