Bulldogs no longer underdogs
Marcus McMaryion threw for 342 yards and Jimmy Camacho kicked four field goals to help Fresno State beat Houston 33-27 on Sunday in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.
McMaryion, who rushed for two touchdowns, completed 33 of 48 passes to tie the Hawaii Bowl record for completions.
The Bulldogs (10-4) had their first 10-win season in five years. They went 1-11 last year, and became just the second team in FBS history to go from doubledigit losses one season to double-digit wins in the next.
The Cougars (7-5) were seeking their fifth consecutive season of eight or more wins.
Camacho was kept busy in his final game for Fresno State. He attempted six field goals, making kicks of 27, 38, 26 and 33 yards. He also missed a 56-yard attempt — which would have been a career long — and his 24-yard try in the third quarter was blocked and returned for a touchdown. Camacho broke the Hawaii Bowl record for field goals made.
Fresno State finished with 473 yards of total offense to Houston’s 341.
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the first underclassman to win the Outland Trophy, had his first career carry — a 1-yard touchdown run — to cap Houston’s first scoring drive in the first quarter.
Steven Dunbar, a senior receiver for the Cougars, had 10 receptions for 197 yards.
McMaryion and Dunbar were selected as the game’s most valuable players for each team.
Coach added: Arizona State hired San Diego State’s Danny Gonzales as defensive coordinator.
Gonzales spent the past seven seasons with the Aztecs. He was the safeties coach until being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017.
Gonzales replaces Phil Bennett, who opted not to join new coach Herm Edwards’ staff because of personal and health reasons.
San Diego State finished the season ranked 11th nationally in total defense under Gonzales, allowing 303.5 yards per game. The Aztecs were ninth against the run at 110.4 yards per game.
Gonzales worked on Rocky Long’s staff from 2005 through ’08 at New Mexico.