INSIDE SLANT

Thanks to some late-game heroics from its offense and kicker Kevin Goessling, Fresno State improved to 7-4 and secured third place in the WAC with a 30-28 victory against Louisiana Tech.

Playing without Ryan Mathews, the nation’s leading rusher, the Bulldogs drove 68 yards in the final 2:21 to set up Goessling for a game-winning, 35-yard field goal. Goessling has made 14 consecutive field-goal attempts.

The win means the Bulldogs are likely headed to the Hawaii Bowl, as long as Hawaii doesn’t defeat Navy and Wisconsin in its final two games. Fresno State could meet former Hawaii coach June Jones and SMU in the game.

Much of the discussion in the offseason will revolve around coach Pat Hill and whether to extend his contract. Hill’s name has been mentioned for several other jobs, and the fan base in Fresno seems to have cooled on Hill, who has lost at least two conference games each year since becoming head coach in 1997.

Fresno State finished 6-2 in WAC play this year with losses to Nevada and Boise State. The Bulldogs conclude their regular season on Dec. 5 at Illinois.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Bulldogs honored 18 seniors before Saturday’s game. The group is 27-19 with two bowl appearances in the last four years.

• Freshman RB Robbie Rouse set career highs with 21 carries and 75 yards, as the Bulldogs’ three veteran tailbacks were limited by injuries.

• Junior NT Cornell Banks had six tackles and a forced fumble against Louisiana Tech.

• Fresno State has won 80 games in the 2000s, matching the 1980s for most wins in a decade. Coach Pat Hill has 99 wins at Fresno State.

Game Ball Goes To:   K Kevin Goessling—The sophomore has made 14 consecutive field-goal attempts, a Fresno State record. He has made 14 of 15 this season, and his game-winner was the second of his career.

Keep An Eye On:   LB Ben Jacobs—The junior tied an NCAA record with three forced fumbles against Louisiana Tech. Jacobs had a fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter. He also recovered a fumble in the second quarter.

Quote To Note:   “I kept saying his day will come, he’ll be a great player for us. The great thing about him is we’ll have him two more years after this. I’m very, very proud of Goose. He hit that thing right down the middle. There wasn’t any question about it.”—Fresno State coach Pat Hill, on K Kevin Goessling’s game-winning field goal.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   RB Robbie Rouse rushed for a career high 75 yards in the victory, as the Bulldogs continue to deal with injuries in the backfield. RBs Ryan Mathews (concussion), Anthony Harding (knee) and Lonyae Miller (cramps) are banged up.

K Kevin Goessling made three field goals, including the game-winner from 35 yards out as time expired. Goessling has now made 14 consecutive field goals this season.

QB Ryan Colburn’s stats were not impressive. He completed 17 of 42 passes for 182 yards. But Colburn engineered a 16-play, 68-yard drive as time expired to put the Bulldogs in field-goal range. Fresno State converted on two third-down tries and a fourth-and-10 on the possession.

Fresno State forced four fumbles.

Fresno State converted on all four fourth-down attempts.

Still Needs Work:   Fresno State allowed 230 yards rushing, continuing a season-long trend. Daniel Porter rushed for 137 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry against Fresno State, which ranks 108th in the country in run defense.

Fresno State did not have a sack.

Roster Report:  

• RB Ryan Mathews (concussion) missed the game. Entering the weekend, Mathews led the NCAA in rushing yards (1,491) and touchdowns (14).

• RB Anthony Harding (knee) left the game in the second quarter. He did not return.

• RB Lonyae Miller (cramping) left the game in the fourth quarter.

• QB Ebahn Feathers (personal issues) was not with the Bulldogs for the game.