Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Fresno State's defense wasn't perfect in its 24-7 win at Rutgers on Monday evening, but it wasn't apologizing for its bend-but-don't-break performance.
The Bulldogs allowed 369 yards of total offense to the Scarlet Knights, but the bulk of it was between the 30-yard lines. Rutgers went 1-for-3 in the red zone and its failures included a missed field goal from the 4-yard line and a turnover on downs at the 3. Rutgers' first three drives ended with a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and an interception in the end zone.
"I would say for the most part the defense had a lot of momentum coming out for the first quarter and going into the second quarter," Fresno State strong safety Moses Morris said. "It was a total momentum shift. The momentum definitely came to our side."
The defense was the only thing that kept Fresno State in a game that could have easily been 24-0 at the end of the first half. The Scarlet Knights missed another field goal with just over three minutes remaining in the half.
"I want to give all the credit to the defense because that was a gutty performance in the first half," Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater said. "That easily could have been 21-0 or 24-0 to start the second half. So, at halftime we praised the defense, and after the game I went and shook everyone's hand. Those guys need to get a lot of credit because they played tremendously and I think they're the reason we won the game."
For three quarters, the Fresno State defense held last year's No. 18-ranked total offense, and a team that averaged 32.77 points per game, off the scoreboard. It wasn't until 11:20 of the fourth quarter that Rutgers finally scored a touchdown. However, the Fresno State defense regrouped in the Scarlet Knights' final two series and forced a punt and an interception to help seal the game.
Morris acknowledged that there was a little luck involved in the defense's play. Both missed field goals were a result of Rutgers special teams mistakes -- a bad kick and a bad snap -- and those kicking miscues forced the Rutgers coaching staff to go for fourth down plays rather than try for another field goal.
"Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good and we had a little luck on our side with that," Morris said. "We'll take it. We'll take their mistakes. You can't win a game making mistakes. We capitalized on their mistakes and we won the game."
