In the absence of star wide receiver N’Keal Harry (who opted to skip the team’s bowl game to prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft), Brandon Aiyuk (No. 2 pictured) contributed nine receptions, 115 yards on five kickoff returns and also had a 17-yard punt return on Saturday afternoon.
Fresno State junior safety Mike Bell (No. 4 pictured) flies around all over the field. He finished 2018 with 86 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass break-ups.
Fresno State senior linebacker George Helmuth (No. 34 pictured combining with DL Patrick Belony to stop Benjamin) had 11 tackles and two tackles for loss this past Saturday.
Both sophomore cornerback Chase Lucas (No. 24 pictured) and freshman safety Aashari Crosswell recorded interceptions on Saturday. But it was Lucas taking a picture of Crosswell after his third quarter interception of a slant route.
Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins (No. 5 pictured) finished his senior campaign with 20 touchdown passes for the second consecutive season. However, on Saturday, he completed 19-of-31 passes for 129 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Fresno State senior cornerback Anthoula “Tank” Kelly (No. 6 pictured) showed off major change of direction skill on this 70-yard interception return of Wilkins in the first quarter. For the year, Kelly had 61 tackles, four interceptions (153 yards, 2 TDs), 18 pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
Wilkins also had a knack for running the ball in school (20 career rushing TDs) and this first quarter leap over the top of Fresno State junior strong safety Juju Hughes yielded positive results.
Arizona State sophomore RB Eno Benjamin’s (No. 3 pictured) combination of balance and footwork make him a tough running back to get on the ground. On Saturday, he carried 23 times for 118 yards with one touchdown. The Sun Devil star led the Pac-12 in rushing and finished third nationally with 1,642 yards (16 rushing TDs). He also caught 35 passes (2 TDs).
Fresno State QB Marcus McMaryion executes a jump pass over the top of Arizona State freshman LB Darien Butler in the third quarter of the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl.
His target, Dejonte O’Neal (No. 11 pictured) nearly scored running behind Fresno State LT Christian Cronk (No. 58 seen blocking Arizona State DB No. 28 Demonte King in space).
As O’Neal extended for the goal line with the ball, the initial call was a touchdown. After the play was reviewed, it was determined that he lost the ball as he extended for the end zone and Arizona State was awarded a touchback.
Fresno State sophomore RB Ronnie Rivers (No. 20 pictured) rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns to earn 2018 Las Vegas Bowl MVP honors. His ability to hide behind big offensive linemen like No. 73 Micah St. Andrew (6’3, 327) is a big key to his success.
Rivers’ 41-yard punt return in the third quarter was nearly another big play for Rivers.
Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford was excited after leading the Bulldogs to a school-record 12th win in the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl. Along with Las Vegas Bowl MVP Ronnie Rivers, Fresno State could be a force for years to come.
