Football recap: Rams extend win streak to 4 with come-from-behind win at Fresno State

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FRESNO, Calif. - The Colorado State Rams overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat Fresno State, 34-31, Saturday evening, closing the regular season on a four-game winning streak during the month of November. The win makes Mike Bobo CSU's first head coach to win seven regular-season games during his initial season.

Fresno State jumped out to a 24-7 lead, but sandwiched between halftime, CSU (7-5, 5-3 MW) scored two special-teams touchdowns in 55 seconds. In fact, the Rams' first three scores all came on special teams, cutting the deficit to 24-20 with 14:47 remaining in the third quarter. Senior wide receiver Joe Hansley had two punt-return touchdowns, while sophomore defensive back Kevin Nutt, Jr. had a 96-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Hansley became the first Ram to return a punt for a score since he did it in 2013 vs. Colorado, while Nutt's touchdown was CSU's first since John Mosure vs. Colorado in 2008. His 96-yard return was tied for the sixth-longest in school history.

After cutting the deficit to one score early in the third quarter, the Rams took their first lead since 7-0 late in the frame on a 39-yard run from freshman running back Izzy Matthews. The senior had a career-high 140 rushing yards, including 47 during the Rams' final drive, which used up the final 5:03.

Prior to that, though, Fresno State regained the lead, 31-27, before CSU scored one final time, a 24-yard pass from Nick Stevens to Hansley, capping the senior's career night. Hansley had three total touchdowns and 182 all-purpose yards.

CSU's defense allowed just 13 total yards in the fourth quarter, and came up with several key stops when the Rams needed it most. CSU had 12.0 tackles for loss, including sacks by Kevin Davis and Martavius Foster.

The Rams now await their bowl fate, which will be announced Dec. 6. CSU will be making an appearance in a bowl game for the third year in a row, and is now guaranteed a winning season.

IN THEIR WORDS...
"It shows a lot of resiliency in this football team, the ability to bounce back. We've been talking about that all year. It's a process and you have to stay the course, you have to keep doing what we do and believe in each other. Sometimes kids look at that as coach-speak, but I think this adds value to that and is something to build on, that if we do stay the course, if we do keep believing no matter what the circumstances are, we can overcome. We were 2-4 and won five out of the last six, and have a chance to win six out of seven, and I don't even think we're near the potential we can be. But we're finding a way to win, and that's a credit to those guys in the locker room, that's a credit to those coaches for staying together (and) keep believing in each other… just a really good team victory tonight." - head coach Mike Bobo

"The punt return team did a great job. Guys like Rashard (Higgins) out there, he was busting his butt every play to try to get me through, so it was a good team effort by everyone." - senior WR Joe Hansley

"Special teams played a big part in this game. We had three touchdowns on special teams and that really led us to the victory tonight. Winning four straight has just boosted everybody's morale and given us great confidence for a bowl game." - sophomore DB Kevin Nutt, Jr.

STAT OF THE GAME…
According to ESPN Stats & Info, CSU's three special teams touchdowns marked the first time a team has had three in a game in the last 10 seasons.

NOTES...

CSU won its fourth consecutive game (all during the month of November) to finish the regular season 7-5 after beginning 2-4 and 3-5.
- It is the first time the Rams have strung together three consecutive winning seasons since compiling 10 in a row from 1994-2003.
Mike Bobo became the first CSU head coach to win seven regular-season games in his first season.
The victory guarantees CSU a winning record for the third consecutive season. CSU will also be playing in a bowl game for the third year in a row.
- This period marks the first time since 1999-2003 that CSU has played in three consecutive bowl games.
CSU finished the season 4-1 in true road contests, and dating back to the 2013 season has won 10 of its past 14. Prior to that stretch, CSU had lost 10 in a row on the road, and 21 of 22.
CSU overcame a 17-point deficit, its largest since coming from 22 behind to win the 2013 New Mexico Bowl vs. Washington State.
- Of CSU's seven wins this season, five have been in come-from-behind fashion.
Senior WR Joe Hansley had a career night, scoring three touchdowns. The senior had 182 all-purpose yards, returning two punts for scores (75, 61 yards) in addition to a 24-yard touchdown reception.
- Hansley is the second Ram to ever score two punt-return touchdowns in one game (Dallas Davis vs. Utah, Oct. 28, 1999).
- It was Hansley's second multi-score game of the season (Air Force, 10/17).
- It was the first time CSU has scored a punt-return touchdown since Hansley did so on Sept. 1, 2013 vs. Colorado.
- For his career, Hansley has 12 receiving touchdowns, in addition to three punt-return scores. He is one of 18 active FBS players with at least one career receiving, passing and rushing or special-teams touchdown.
True freshman Izzy Matthews rushed for a career-most 140 yards, including a run of 39 yards (personal best). The RB averaged 7.8 yards per rush (18 carries).
- Leading by 3 with 5:02 to play, Matthews rushed four times for 47 yards (three first downs) to run out the clock.
- Matthews is the third Rams running back to rush for 140 yards this season (Dalyn Dawkins, Jasen Oden, Jr.).
Sophomore DB Kevin Nutt, Jr. returned three kickoffs, with the biggest being a 96-yard touchdown to begin the season half.
- Nutt's 96-yarder was the sixth-longest in school history, and the longest scoring kick return since 2000.
- Prior to Saturday, CSU hadn't returned a kickoff for a touchdown since John Mosure vs. Colorado on Aug. 31, 2008.
Junior WR Rashard Higgins caught just one pass (24 yards), but it was good enough to extend his streak to at least one catch in all 36 games he has played in.
Junior LB Kevin Davis led all players with 12 tackles, including a career-most 2.5 for loss and 1.0 sack. Davis leads CSU with 95 tackles and 14.0 tackles for loss on the season.
CSU has scored in its last 12 quarters dating back to the first quarter of the UNLV victory on Nov. 7

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