RUSTON, La. Rodney Davis capped a big season with a big night.
Davis rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns to lead Fresno State to a 45-13 victory over Louisiana Tech on Thursday night.
``We have to be able to run the football,'' Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. ``Tonight was a night that was important and Rodney Davis had a great night.''
Davis, a junior college transfer playing his first season with the Bulldogs, moved into second place on the school's single season rushing list with 1,433 yards _ 44 yards behind Ron Rivers' 1993 record.
It was the second time this season that Davis reached 200 yards rushing in a game. He ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns in Fresno State's 30-7 victory over SMU.
``We didn't seem to be able to stop them,'' Louisiana Tech coach Jack Bicknell said. ``They ran the ball and we didn't tackle very well, and then we just didn't make plays on offense. Truthfully, we didn't get very many opportunities in the second half because they just ran the ball down our throat.''
Fresno State (8-5, 6-2), winners of four straight and seven of their last nine games, had already earned a third straight trip to the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
Fresno State is now 4-0 against Louisiana Tech (4-8, 3-5).
``Our seniors are 33-15 and this season is their fourth bowl game,'' Hill said. ``I don't know how many programs around the country can say that.''
The excitement of playing a rare game on national television ended early for Louisiana Tech. The crowd thinned quickly as Fresno State pulled away in the second half and the temperature dropped to 29 degrees.
Tech was 4-0 at home this season, averaging 47 points per game. But Luke McCown struggled under relentless pressure, completing just 16 of 49 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Smith rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries for Louisiana Tech.
Paul Pinegar was 18-for-27 for 321 yards and three touchdowns for Fresno State. Marque Davis, Rodney's brother, caught seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Deandre Gilbert had five receptions for 133 yards.
``We knew we would be tested,'' Hill said. ``We have never won in Louisiana so tonight was a first.''
After a scoreless first quarter, Fresno State cranked up its running game, driving 86 yards for a score to make it 7-0 early in the second quarter. Davis gained 71 yards on the drive, including a 2-yard touchdown run.
Tech pulled to 7-6 on McCown's 48-yard touchdown pass to Chris Norwood. Fresno State blocked the extra point.
Fresno stretched its lead to 14-6 on Pinegar's 11-yard pass to Marque Davis with 7:31 left.
McCown tossed his second touchdown pass of the half to D.J. Curry, hitting him with a 5-yarder with 1:43 remaining in the half to pull Tech to 14-13.
Fresno State needed just six plays to score again as Pinegar hit Gilbert with a 35-yard TD pass to make it 21-13 at the half.
Fresno State opened the third quarter with two quick touchdowns. Pinegar capped an 80-yard drive with a 4-yard TD pass to Stephen Spach.
On the next possession, an intentional grounding call on Louisiana Tech drove the Bulldogs back to their own goal line. After Dustin Upton grabbed a very high snap and punted from the back of the end zone, a personal foul against Tech gave Fresno first down on the Tech 11.
Adam Jennings covered the distance on first down to make it 35-13.
Asen Asparuhov opened the fourth quarter with an 18-yard field goal for Fresno and Davis scored on a 4-yard run to make it 45-13 with 10:29 left in the game.
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