Southern at Fresno State

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Fresno State beat Southern 56–⁠7. It was their only meeting on record.

AwaySouthern2–⁠10 in 2025
7
HomeFresno State9–⁠4 in 2025
56

Final at Valley Children’s Stadium, FresnoAttendance 37,210

At kickoff
88°F, wind 9 mph from the northwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network hourly; Fresno Yosemite International, 5 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Official
Brad CarrellGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Southern07007
Fresno State142171456

Standouts

  • PassingE.J. Warner20 of 24, 240 yards, 4 TDFresno State
  • RushingBryson Donelson9 carries, 90 yards, 1 TDFresno State
  • DefenseKorey Foreman3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 for lossFresno State

Player stats

Southern

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Ashton Strother9/1412700
Cam’Ron McCoy1/4400
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Jason Gabriel91306
Trey Holly71115
Christian Smith2504
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Malachi Jackson255028
Kobe Brown329018
Darren Morris119019
Trey Holly114014
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Elijah West100.500
Jamarlo Campbell100.500
Vincent Paige Jr.8000
Horacio Johnson5000
Ckelby Givens3110

Fresno State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
E.J. Warner20/2424040
Carson Conklin5/64200
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Bryson Donelson990157
Elijah Gilliam95319
Johnathan Arceneaux641112
Rayshon Luke731119
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Rayshon Luke779120
Jordan Brown336128
Ezekiel Avit433010
Harold Duvall125125
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Deijon Laffitte61.510
Jayden Davis6100
Merhauti Xepera4100
Martin Owusu40.500
Korey Foreman31.51.50
Finn Claypool30.50.50

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

SouthernFresno State
142Total yards507
131Passing yards282
11Rushing yards225
7.3Yards per pass9.4
0.4Yards per rush5.5
7First downs31
3–⁠12Third downs8–⁠10
0–⁠0Fourth downs0–⁠0
0Turnovers1
12–⁠91Penalties6–⁠50
25:14Possession34:46
1Sacks (by defense)3

Efficiency

SouthernFresno State
23%Success rate67%
0.00EPA per play0.53
1.48Explosiveness1.07
−0.41Rushing EPA0.26
0.48Passing EPA0.91
18%Passing-down success71%
−0.41First-down EPA0.45
0.15Second-down EPA0.56
0.43Third-down EPA0.68
7%Havoc by its defense23%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Fresno State 87% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Fresno State −37.5, over/under 51.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Fresno State >99%, Southern <1%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Fresno State end zoneSouthern end zoneQ1 Fresno StateTouchdown, 6 playsQ1 SouthernPunt, 5 playsQ1 Fresno StateTouchdown, 10 playsQ1 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ1 Fresno StatePunt, 4 playsQ2 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 4 playsQ2 SouthernTouchdown, 9 playsQ2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 1 playQ2 SouthernMissed FG, 10 playsQ2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 8 playsQ2 SouthernEnd of half, 1 playQ3 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ3 Fresno StateFumble, 8 playsQ3 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ3 Fresno StateTouchdown, 7 playsQ3 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ3 Fresno StateTouchdown, 10 playsQ4 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ4 Fresno StateTouchdown, 8 playsQ4 SouthernPunt, 3 playsQ4 Fresno StateEnd of game, 5 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Fresno State drives left to right, Southern right to left.
  1. Q1 Fresno StateTouchdown, 6 plays, 65 yards
  2. Q1 SouthernPunt, 5 plays, 6 yards
  3. Q1 Fresno StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 55 yards
  4. Q1 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  5. Q1 Fresno StatePunt, 4 plays, 16 yards
  6. Q2 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  7. Q2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 4 plays, 41 yards
  8. Q2 SouthernTouchdown, 9 plays, 75 yards
  9. Q2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 1 play, 57 yards
  10. Q2 SouthernMissed FG, 10 plays, 48 yards
  11. Q2 Fresno StateTouchdown, 8 plays, 73 yards
  12. Q2 SouthernEnd of half, 1 play, −1 yard
  13. Q3 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, −5 yards
  14. Q3 Fresno StateFumble, 8 plays, 39 yards
  15. Q3 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  16. Q3 Fresno StateTouchdown, 7 plays, 44 yards
  17. Q3 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, −6 yards
  18. Q3 Fresno StateTouchdown, 10 plays, 69 yards
  19. Q4 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  20. Q4 Fresno StateTouchdown, 8 plays, 44 yards
  21. Q4 SouthernPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  22. Q4 Fresno StateEnd of game, 5 plays, 8 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Fresno State 14, Southern 0
Fresno State Touchdown, 6 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Nathan Zimmer kickoff for 30 yds
14:461st & 10 at own 35E.J. Warner pass complete to Jahlil McClain for 12 yds to the FRES 47 for a 1ST down
14:191st & 10 at own 47Bryson Donelson run for 2 yds to the FRES 49
13:332nd & 8 at own 49E.J. Warner pass complete to Bryson Donelson for 10 yds to the SOU 41 for a 1ST down
13:031st & 10 at opp 41E.J. Warner pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 9 yds to the SOU 32
12:322nd & 1 at opp 32Bryson Donelson run for 7 yds to the SOU 25 for a 1ST down
11:531st & 10 at opp 25E.J. Warner pass complete to Harold Duvall for 25 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 7, Southern 0
Southern Punt, 5 plays
11:531st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
11:531st & 10 at own 25PENALTY SOU False Start (Trask Jr,Joshua) 5 yards from SOU25 to SOU20. NO PLAY.
11:411st & 15 at own 20Cam’Ron McCoy run for a loss of 2 yards to the SOU 18
11:062nd & 17 at own 18Fresno State Penalty, Personal Foul (Al’zillion Hamilton) to the SOU 38 for a 1ST down
10:451st & 10 at own 38Trey Holly run for 1 yd to the SOU 39
10:112nd & 9 at own 39PENALTY SOU False Start (Trask Jr,Joshua) 5 yards from SOU39 to SOU34. NO PLAY.
9:452nd & 14 at own 34Cam’Ron McCoy pass complete to Kobe Brown for 4 yds to the SOU 38
9:453rd & 10 at own 38Timeout Fresno State, clock 09:45
9:073rd & 10 at own 38Southern Penalty, Offensive Holding (Yards) declined
9:004th & 17 at own 31Kenny Pham punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Jordan Malau’ulu at the FRES 45
Fresno State Touchdown, 10 plays
8:501st & 10 at own 45Rayshon Luke run for 1 yd to the FRES 46
8:172nd & 9 at own 46E.J. Warner pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 11 yds to the SOU 43 for a 1ST down
8:051st & 10 at opp 30(07:03) Shotgun Warner,E.J. pass incomplete short right to Avit,Ezekiel thrown to SOU20 PENALTY SOU Holding (Carter,Landon) 10 yards from SOU30 to SOU20, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
8:051st & 10 at opp 20Bryson Donelson run for 9 yds to the SOU 11
8:052nd & 1 at opp 11E.J. Warner pass complete to Jahlil McClain for no gain to the SOU 11
8:053rd & 1 at opp 11Bryson Donelson run for 1 yd to the SOU 10 for a 1ST down
8:051st & goal at opp 10Rayshon Luke run for 2 yds to the SOU 8
8:052nd & goal at opp 8E.J. Warner pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 2 yds to the SOU 6
7:381st & 10 at opp 43E.J. Warner pass complete to Bryson Donelson for 9 yds to the SOU 34
7:062nd & 1 at opp 34Rayshon Luke run for 4 yds to the SOU 30 for a 1ST down
2:543rd & goal at opp 6E.J. Warner pass complete to Jordan Brown for 6 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 14, Southern 0
Southern Punt, 3 plays
2:541st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
2:541st & 10 at own 25Trey Holly run for 1 yd to the SOU 26
2:542nd & 9 at own 26Cam’Ron McCoy run for a loss of 4 yards to the SOU 22
2:543rd & 13 at own 22Cam’Ron McCoy pass incomplete to Kobe Brown
1:154th & 13 at own 22Kenny Pham punt for 50 yds
Fresno State Punt, 4 plays
1:151st & 10 at own 33Shotgun Donelson,Bryson rush left for 8 yards gain to the FST41 (West,Elijah) PENALTY FST Holding 10 yards from FST33 to FST23. NO PLAY.
1:151st & 20 at own 23Southern Penalty, Roughing The Passer (Vincent Paige Jr.) to the FRES 47 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at own 47Bryson Donelson run for 7 yds to the SOU 46
Q2 15:002nd & 3 at opp 46Shotgun Warner,E.J. pass complete short right to Avit,Ezekiel caught at SOU37, for 14 yards to the SOU32 (Franks,Zay) PENALTY FST Holding (Anderson III,Richie) 10 yards from SOU46 to FST44. NO PLAY.
Q2 15:002nd & 13 at own 44E.J. Warner pass incomplete to Richie Anderson III
Q2 15:003rd & 13 at own 44E.J. Warner run for 5 yds to the FRES 49
Q2 13:534th & 8 at own 49Nick Verdugo punt for 50 yds
2nd quarter7 drives, then Fresno State 35, Southern 7
Southern Punt, 3 plays
13:531st & 10 at own 1Cam’Ron McCoy pass incomplete to Khalil Harris
13:532nd & 10 at own 1Cam’Ron McCoy run for 2 yds to the SOU 3
13:533rd & 8 at own 3Cam’Ron McCoy pass incomplete to Khalil Harris
12:534th & 8 at own 3Kenny Pham punt for 38 yds
Fresno State Touchdown, 4 plays
12:531st & 10 at opp 41Bryson Donelson run for 4 yds to the SOU 37
12:532nd & 6 at opp 37Bryson Donelson run for 4 yds to the SOU 33
12:533rd & 2 at opp 33E.J. Warner pass complete to Jake Tarwater for 14 yds to the SOU 19 for a 1ST down
10:581st & 10 at opp 19E.J. Warner pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 19 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 21, Southern 0
Southern Touchdown, 9 plays
10:581st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:581st & 10 at own 25Jason Gabriel run for 1 yd to the SOU 26
10:582nd & 9 at own 26Ashton Strother pass complete to Malachi Jackson for 28 yds to the FRES 46 for a 1ST down
10:581st & 10 at opp 46PENALTY SOU False Start 5 yards from FST46 to SOU49. NO PLAY.
10:581st & 15 at own 49Ashton Strother pass complete to Cam Jefferson for 9 yds to the FRES 42
10:582nd & 6 at opp 42Ashton Strother pass complete to Kobe Brown for 18 yds to the FRES 24 for a 1ST down
10:581st & 10 at opp 24Jason Gabriel run for 4 yds to the FRES 20
10:582nd & 6 at opp 20Trey Holly run for 5 yds to the FRES 15
7:123rd & 1 at opp 15Timeout Fresno State, clock 07:12
7:123rd & 1 at opp 15Shotgun Holly,Trey rush middle for 5 yards gain to the FST10 (Pearson,Jadon) PENALTY SOU Illegal Formation 5 yards from FST15 to FST20. NO PLAY.
7:123rd & 6 at opp 20Ashton Strother pass complete to Darren Morris for 19 yds to the FRES 1 for a 1ST down Fresno State Penalty, personal foul (Yards) to the FRES 1 for a 1ST down
7:121st & goal at opp 1Trey Holly run for no gain to the FRES 1
5:412nd & goal at opp 1Trey Holly run for 1 yd for a TD (Nathan Zimmer KICK)Fresno State 21, Southern 7
Fresno State Touchdown, 1 play
5:371st & 10 at own 35Nathan Zimmer kickoff for 40 yds , Jordan Malau’ulu return for 18 yds to the FRES 43
5:271st & 10 at own 43Bryson Donelson run for 57 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 28, Southern 7
Southern Missed FG, 10 plays
5:271st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:271st & 10 at own 25Jason Gabriel run for 3 yds to the SOU 28
5:272nd & 7 at own 28Ashton Strother pass complete to Cam Jefferson for 5 yds to the SOU 33
5:273rd & 2 at own 33Ashton Strother pass complete to Malachi Jackson for 27 yds to the FRES 40 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at opp 40Jason Gabriel run for 1 yd to the FRES 39
5:272nd & 9 at opp 39Ashton Strother pass incomplete to Darren Morris
5:273rd & 9 at opp 39Ashton Strother pass complete to Trey Holly for 14 yds to the FRES 25 for a 1ST down
5:271st & 10 at opp 25Trey Holly run for 3 yds to the FRES 22
2:002nd & 7 at opp 22Timeout Fresno State, clock 02:00
2:002nd & 7 at opp 22Ashton Strother pass incomplete to Darren Morris
2:003rd & 7 at opp 22Ashton Strother run for a loss of 5 yards to the FRES 27 Ashton Strother fumbled, recovered by SOU Ashton Strother
1:494th & 12 at opp 27Timeout Fresno State, clock 01:49
1:344th & 12 at opp 27Nathan Zimmer 44 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by Merhauti Xepera
Fresno State Touchdown, 8 plays
1:341st & 10 at own 27E.J. Warner pass complete to Jordan Brown for 28 yds to the SOU 45 for a 1ST down
1:071st & 10 at opp 45E.J. Warner pass complete to Jayon Farrar for 5 yds to the SOU 40
1:002nd & 5 at opp 40E.J. Warner pass incomplete to Jordan Brown
0:543rd & 5 at opp 40E.J. Warner pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 20 yds to the SOU 20 for a 1ST down
0:481st & 10 at opp 20E.J. Warner pass incomplete to Jayon Farrar
0:482nd & 10 at opp 20E.J. Warner pass complete to Jayon Farrar for 13 yds to the SOU 7 for a 1ST down
0:481st & goal at opp 7Timeout Fresno State, clock 00:48
0:381st & goal at opp 7E.J. Warner sacked by Ckelby Givens for a loss of 15 yards to the SOU 22 E.J. Warner fumbled, recovered by FRES Jayon Farrar , return for 0 yards
0:372nd & goal at opp 22Timeout Fresno State, clock 00:37
0:332nd & goal at opp 22E.J. Warner pass complete to Richie Anderson III for 22 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 35, Southern 7
Southern End of half, 1 play
0:331st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:001st & 10 at own 25A. Strother takes a knee
3rd quarter6 drives, then Fresno State 42, Southern 7
Southern Punt, 3 plays
14:551st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 60 yds , Trey Holly return for 10 yds to the SOU 15
14:411st & 10 at own 15Trey Holly run for no gain to the SOU 15
14:092nd & 10 at own 15(14:09) Shotgun Strother,Ashton rush middle for 5 yards gain to the SOU20, out of bounds at SOU20 PENALTY SOU Holding 7 yards from SOU15 to SOU08. NO PLAY.
13:322nd & 17 at own 8Ashton Strother pass complete to Kobe Brown for 7 yds to the SOU 15
12:583rd & 10 at own 15Ashton Strother sacked for a loss of 5 yards to the SOU 10
12:144th & 15 at own 10Kenny Pham punt for 32 yds , Jordan Malau’ulu returns for no gain to the SOU 42
Fresno State Fumble, 8 plays
8:351st & 10 at opp 42E.J. Warner pass complete to Ezekiel Avit for 9 yds to the SOU 33
8:352nd & 1 at opp 33Rayshon Luke run for 2 yds to the SOU 31 for a 1ST down
8:351st & 10 at opp 31Rayshon Luke run for 1 yd to the SOU 30
8:272nd & 9 at opp 30E.J. Warner pass complete to Ezekiel Avit for 7 yds to the SOU 23
8:273rd & 2 at opp 23Brandon Ramirez run for 4 yds to the SOU 19 for a 1ST down
8:271st & 10 at opp 19Southern Penalty, Face Mask (9 yards) (De’Myrion Johnson) to the SOU 8 for a 1ST down
8:151st & goal at opp 8Fresno State Penalty, Ineligible Downfield on Pass (-5 Yards) to the SOU 13
7:312nd & goal at opp 13E.J. Warner pass complete to Ezekiel Avit for 10 yds Ezekiel Avit fumbled, recovered by SOU Lance Joseph
Southern Punt, 3 plays
7:151st & 10 at own 3Jason Gabriel run for 6 yds to the SOU 9
7:152nd & 4 at own 9Jason Gabriel run for 1 yd to the SOU 10
7:003rd & 3 at own 10Ashton Strother pass incomplete to Khalil Harris
5:534th & 3 at own 10Kenny Pham punt for 34 yds, fair catch by Jordan Malau’ulu at the SOU 44
Fresno State Touchdown, 7 plays
5:001st & 10 at opp 44Bryson Donelson run for a loss of 1 yard to the SOU 45
4:282nd & 11 at opp 45Carson Conklin pass complete to Rayshon Luke for 9 yds to the SOU 36
3:313rd & 2 at opp 36Johnathan Arceneaux run for 6 yds to the SOU 30 for a 1ST down
3:061st & 10 at opp 30Carson Conklin pass complete to Jordan Brown for 2 yds to the SOU 28
3:062nd & 8 at opp 28Carson Conklin pass complete to Ezekiel Avit for 7 yds to the SOU 21
3:063rd & 1 at opp 21Brandon Ramirez run for 2 yds to the SOU 19 for a 1ST down
3:061st & 10 at opp 19Rayshon Luke run for 19 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 42, Southern 7
Southern Punt, 3 plays
2:571st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds , Jerrod Hicks return for 40 yds to the SOU 40
2:441st & 10 at own 40Jason Gabriel run for a loss of 3 yards to the SOU 37
2:052nd & 13 at own 37Jason Gabriel run for a loss of 2 yards to the SOU 35
1:193rd & 15 at own 35Ashton Strother sacked by Korey Foreman for a loss of 1 yard to the SOU 34
0:394th & 16 at own 34Kenny Pham punt for 35 yds , Jordan Malau’ulu returns for no gain to the FRES 31
Fresno State Touchdown, 10 plays
0:001st & 10 at own 31Elijah Gilliam run for 3 yds to the FRES 34
Q4 14:532nd & 7 at own 34Johnathan Arceneaux run for 12 yds to the FRES 46 for a 1ST down
Q4 11:411st & 10 at own 46Carson Conklin pass incomplete to Harold Duvall
Q4 11:412nd & 10 at own 46Carson Conklin pass complete to Elijah Gilliam for 11 yds to the SOU 43 for a 1ST down
Q4 11:411st & 10 at opp 43Elijah Gilliam run for 9 yds to the SOU 34
Q4 11:202nd & 1 at opp 34Elijah Gilliam run for 2 yds to the SOU 32 for a 1ST down
Q4 10:371st & 10 at opp 32Carson Conklin pass complete to Elijah Gilliam for 13 yds to the SOU 19 for a 1ST down
Q4 10:371st & 10 at opp 19Johnathan Arceneaux run for 9 yds to the SOU 10
Q4 10:372nd & 1 at opp 10PENALTY SOU UNS: Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Franks,Zay) 5 yards from SOU10 to SOU05, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
Q4 10:371st & goal at opp 5Johnathan Arceneaux run for 2 yds to the SOU 3
Q4 10:372nd & goal at opp 3Johnathan Arceneaux run for 3 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 49, Southern 7
4th quarter4 drives, then Fresno State 56, Southern 7
Southern Punt, 3 plays
10:321st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 65 yds , Princeton Cahee return for 11 yds to the SOU 11
10:151st & 10 at own 11Ashton Strother pass complete to David Prince for no gain to the SOU 11
9:512nd & 10 at own 11Ashton Strother pass incomplete to Jeremiah Valdry
9:453rd & 10 at own 11Ashton Strother pass incomplete to Dupree Fuller
9:454th & 10 at own 11Timeout Fresno State, clock 09:45
9:394th & 10 at own 11Kenny Pham punt for 33 yds, fair catch by Jordan Malau’ulu at the SOU 44
Fresno State Touchdown, 8 plays
9:301st & 10 at opp 44Fresno State Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the 50 yard line
9:031st & 16 at the 50Carson Conklin run for 6 yds to the SOU 44
8:272nd & 10 at opp 44Johnathan Arceneaux run for 9 yds to the SOU 35
7:423rd & 1 at opp 35Elijah Gilliam run for 9 yds to the SOU 26 for a 1ST down
6:531st & 10 at opp 26Elijah Gilliam run for 9 yds to the SOU 17
6:142nd & 1 at opp 17Elijah Gilliam run for 6 yds to the SOU 11 for a 1ST down
5:311st & 10 at opp 11Elijah Gilliam run for 6 yds to the SOU 5
4:582nd & 4 at opp 5Elijah Gilliam run for 5 yds for a TD (Dylan Lynch KICK)Fresno State 56, Southern 7
Southern Punt, 3 plays
4:581st & 10 at own 35Dylan Lynch kickoff for 52 yds
4:451st & 10 at own 25Christian Smith run for 4 yds to the SOU 29
4:092nd & 6 at own 29Christian Smith run for 1 yd to the SOU 30
3:293rd & 5 at own 30Jason Gabriel run for 2 yds to the SOU 32
2:544th & 3 at own 32Southern Penalty, Delay Of Game (Ashton Strother) declined
2:484th & 3 at own 32punt for 30 yds, fair catch by Jordan Malau’ulu at the FRES 43
Fresno State End of game, 5 plays
2:321st & 10 at own 43Devon Rivers run for 6 yds to the FRES 49
1:582nd & 4 at own 49Ryan Warkentin run for 5 yds to the SOU 46 for a 1ST down
1:391st & 10 at opp 46C. Conklin takes a knee
1:122nd & 11 at opp 47C. Conklin takes a knee
0:003rd & 12 at opp 48C. Conklin takes a knee

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

Fresno State leads 1–⁠0 in their only meeting.

Around this game