“Next Man Up.” That’s a phrase often used in sports. Everybody talks about it, everybody wants to believe it. The Fresno State Bulldogs, meanwhile, are actually proving it. Looking at the numbers after five games, it’s easy to see that the 5-0 Bulldogs have been getting major contributions from various players on the depth chart.
Even with the injuries mounting up, the ‘Dogs haven’t lost a step. Against Nevada, the Bulldogs were missing starting safety Dean Clark and starting cornerback Cameron Lockridge. Isaiah Johnson, the starting defensive end, also left the Nevada game with an injury. Safety Camryn Bracha, however, stepped up in a big way. Bracha posted six tackles and 1.5 sacks in the win.
Wide receiver Erik Brooks was also banged up in the win against Nevada, but the ‘Dogs receiving crew continued to torch the opponents. Jaelen Gill led the way with 8 receptions, 126 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Moss added four receptions and 33 yards.
The chart below illustrates how the Bulldogs have been getting contributions from many different players in each game.
| Game 1 vs Purdue | Game 2 vs E Washington | Game 3 vs Arizona | Game 4 vs Kent State | Game 5 vs Nevada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Leaders _____________ Elijah Gilliam: 20 carries, 93 yards. ______________ Malik Sherrod: 8 carries, 17 yds, 1 touchdown. ______________ Devon Rivers: 4 carries, 19 yds. | Rushing Leaders ___________________ Gilliam: 20 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs. | Rushing Leaders _____________ Gilliam: 18 carries, 69 yards. ___________ Malik Sherrod: 6 carries, 42 yds. | Rushing Leaders _____________ Sherrod: 10 carries, 71 yards. __________ Elijah Gilliam: 7 carries, 25 yards, 2 TD. | Rushing Leaders _____________ Sherrod: 12 carries, 123 yds, 1 TD. ___________ Elijah Gilliam: 9 carries, 38 yards. |
Receiving Leaders _______________ Erik Brooks: 9 receptions, 170 yds, 2 TDs. _______ Jaelen Gill: 8 rec, 65 yds, 1 TD. ______ Jalen Moss: 5 rec, 38 yds, 1 TD. ________ Tre Watson: 4 rec, 40 yds | Receiving Leaders ___________________ Brooks: 8 rec, 95 yds, 1 TD. __________ J Gill: 3 rec, 40 yds ___________ Watson: 5 rec, 47 yds | Receiving Leaders _____________ Brooks: 11 rec, 104 yds. ____________ J Gill: 6 rec, 72 yds, 1 TD. ____________ J Moss: 6 rec, 46 yds, 1 TD | Receiving Leaders _____________ Brooks: 4 rec, 79 yds, 1 TD. ____________ J Gill: 3 rec, 28 yds, 1 TD. ____________ J Moss: 7 rec, 120 yds, 1 TD. ____________ Mac Dalena: 3 rec, 67 yards. __________ Tre Watson: 1 TD | Receiving Leaders ___________ J Gill: 8 rec, 126 yds, 2 TDs. ____________ Jalen Moss: 4 rec, 33 yds. _________ Dalena: 4 rec, 25 yards |
| Defensive Leaders ______________ Dean Clark: 7 tackles. ________ Levelle Bailey: 5 tackles. _______ Morice Norris Jr.: 5 tackles. _________ Malachi Langley: 5 tackles. | Defensive Leaders ________________ Devo Bridges: 9 tackles. ___________ L Bailey: 7 tackles, 1 INT. ____________ Norris Jr.: 8 tackles. _________ Langley: 5 tackles. _________ D Clark: 5 tackles. _________ Johnny Hudson Jr.: 4 tackles, 1 sack. __________ Steven Comstock: 4 tackles. | Defensive Leaders ___________ D Clark: 6 tackles. ____________ L Bailey: 7 tackles. ____________ Norris Jr.: 2 tackles, 1 sack. ____________ M Langley: 4 tackles. | Defensive Leaders _____________ Dean Clark: 6 tackles. ____________ Raymond Scott: 5 tackles. ____________ L Bailey: 4 tackles. ____________ Norris Jr.: 5 tackles. | Defensive Leaders ____________ Camryn Bracha: 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks. ____________ L Bailey: 11 tackles. ____________ Norris Jr.: 1.5 sacks, 1 INT. ____________ M Langley: 5 tackles. ____________ Chrishawn Gordon: 5 tackles, 1 sack. |
Quarterback Mikey Keene has completed 136 passes with 14 touchdowns during Fresno State’s 5-0 start.