Fresno State tops Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

LAS VEGAS — Ronnie Rivers rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns, Anthoula (Tank) Kelly had a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown and No. 19 Fresno State beat Arizona State 31-20 in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday.

Marcus McMaryion rushed for a touchdown and was 15-of-29 passing for 176 yards to help the Bulldogs (12-2) set a school record for wins in a season. He also threw two interceptions.

“It’s a group that persevered,” Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford said. “This group can be remembered as the only team in NCAA history that went from a double-digit losing season to back-to-back double-digit winning seasons.

Eno Benjamin rushed for 118 yards a one touchdown for the Sun Devils (7-6) in their third straight bowl loss. Manny Wilkins threw for 129 yards, with a three-yard scoring pass to Kyle Williams and two interceptions.

Rivers put Fresno State back in front 24-20 with a 68-yard touchdown run up the middle in the third quarter and had a five-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter to seal Fresno State’s second win over a Pac-12 opponent this season.

Wilkins said he did not sustain an injury, despite taking a hit to the knee on the final pass of his college career, which was intercepted by Juju Hughes.

Arizona State took a 20-17 lead on Brandon Ruiz’s 44yard field goal in the third quarter after Aashari Crosswell intercepted McMaryion’s pass at the Fresno State 39.

McMaryion’s pass was intercepted by Chase Lucas on his next throw, an ill-fated heave downfield after reversing field under pressure.

“You got to score points, especially when you get the ball where we possessed it,” Arizona State coach Herm Edwards said. “We made it uncomfortable for them. But then they got a score. We had to catch up a little bit and that’s where they can really come after you.”