Cal Maritime drops back-and-forth battle vs. the Bulldogs

VALLEJO, Calif. – With Cal Maritime ahead by two with just over six minutes remaining in Saturday's season opener at Bodnar Field, Fresno State turned its deficit into a five-point lead by recording its final try of the afternoon and converting on the ensuing conversion kick.

Now trailing by five, the Keelhaulers were able to march down the field on numerous possessions throughout the final six minutes of action, but the visiting Bulldogs were successful in burning as much time off the scoreboard as possible whenever they had the ball, as their final seven points of the afternoon were the last recorded by either team in a game Fresno State won, 29-24.

The Keelhaulers will continue their season next week in an 11 a.m. game at San José State, and will enter that road matchup with a 0-1 overall record.

"We improved in all facets of the game, compared to its home exhibition vs. Berkeley Men's RFC, but we did not improve as much as we should have to win this game," said head coach Steve Hiatt. "It was great to see new guys making positive contributions.

"Our captain, Jerry McLarnon did all the right things around the field; Jacob Jenkins played a new position today and did some fantastic stuff; newcomer Connor Malauulu really made his presence felt," Hiatt added, regarding cadet-athletes who stood out in the Keelhaulers' opening game of the 2021 season.

Saturday's exciting matchup started with the Bulldogs recording the first try of the game within the opening minute of action, but Cal Maritime responded well by scoring 10 unanswered to take the lead midway through the first half.

Fresno State responded in a similar fashion by scoring 10 in a row to hold a 15-10 advantage at the half.

Scoring Timeline

Fresno State 29, Cal Maritime 24

:40 Fresno State 5
3:45 Jerry McLarnon 5, Jonah Wolfe 2
26:40 Jonah Wolfe 3
29:30 Fresno State 5
33:18 Fresno State 5
Halftime Score: Fresno State 15, Cal Maritime 10
14:11 Jonah Wolfe 5, Jonal Wolfe 2
24:40 Fresno State 5, Fresno State 2
29:10 Josh Bates 5, Jonah Wolfe 2
33:46 Fresno State 5, Fresno State 2