Fresno State vaults into Top 25 after defeating Kent State

The Bulldogs are the only Group of 5 team to crack the Top 25 rankings.

After sweeping nonconference play to start the season 4-0, Fresno State is back in the Associated Press Top 25 rankings. 

Fresno State came in at No. 25 in the latest rankings released on Sunday for Week 5. 

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Driving the news: The Bulldogs vaulted into the Top 25 after defeating Kent State 53-10 on Saturday. 

  • Fresno State’s win came on the back of an explosive offensive performance. The ‘Dogs scored touchdowns on each of their first seven possessions. 
  • Quarterback Mikey Keene completed 24 of 31 passes for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns. His favorite target against Kent State was Jalen Moss, who ended up with 7 receptions for 120 yards and 1 touchdown. 

Go deeper: Before breaking into the Top 25 Fresno State had received the 30th most votes for the poll last week, behind Clemson, Missouri, Kansas State and TCU. 

  • Fresno State benefited from three teams dropping out of the rankings. Colorado was ranked 18th last week but is now unranked after losing to Oregon 42-6. UCLA was defeated by Utah 14-7, and Iowa was shutout by Penn State 31-0. 
  • Clemson lost to Florida State 31-24, allowing Missouri, Kansas and Fresno State to take the last three spots in the Top 25. 
  • The Bulldogs leapfrogged Kansas State and TCU despite both teams winning on Saturday. 

What we’re watching: Fresno State, while it’s still early in the season, is in the pole position among all Group of 5 teams to get the automatic bid into a New Year’s Six bowl game. 

  • The only other Group of 5 teams to even receive votes in the Top 25 poll are Tulane and Air Force.
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