Fresno State rallies past Arizona State 31-20 in Las Vegas Bowl

Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion raises the trophy in celebration of his team's win over Arizona State of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (20) runs the ball as Arizona State defensive back Demonte King tries to stop him during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford and running back Ronnie Rivers raise the trophy in celebration of their team's win over Arizona State of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State wide receiver Jamire Jordan (1) runs the ball against Arizona State during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State fans celebrate their team's win over Arizona State of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Arizona State running back Isaiah Floyd (31) is tackled by Fresno State linebacker James Bailey (7) during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State fans cheer as their team leads against Arizona State during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion (6) scores a touchdown against Arizona State during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin (3) scores a touchdown past Fresno State defensive back Juju Hughes (23) during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby (84) eyes a pass during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game against Fresno State at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Arizona State quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) is stopped by Fresno State linebacker James Bailey (7) and defensive end Mykal Walker (3) during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Members of the Air Force display a large flag on the field before the start of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion (6) holds the trophy as the team huddles in celebration of their win over Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Victor E. Bulldog III of Fresno State looks on after getting a treat before the start of the Las Vegas Bowl football game against Arizona State at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Attendees watch an Air Force flyover before the start of the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Members of the Fresno State marching band perform before the start of the Las Vegas Bowl football game against Arizona State at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

A child is lowered to the field after Fresno State defeated Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

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‘It was a trying year’: Las Vegas Bowl teams shined through adversity

By Mark Anderson / Las Vegas Review-Journal

December 15, 2018 - 4:05 pm

Updated December 15, 2018 - 5:23 pm

Fresno State’s defense shut down Arizona State in the second half Saturday, and running back Ronnie Rivers made the difference offensively.

Rivers scored two touchdowns in those final 30 minutes, including a 68-yarder late in the third quarter to put the Bulldogs ahead for good in a 31-20 victory in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Rivers, named the game’s Most Valuable Player, rushed for 212 yards on 24 carries to help the No. 19 Bulldogs (12-2) reach a dozen victories for the first time in the program’s 97-year history.

🏆🚨'Dogs WIN 🚨🏆@LasVegasBowl Win ✔️

FIRST 12-WIN SEASON IN PROGRAM HISTORY✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️#GoDogs pic.twitter.com/IgA9DxDGqs

— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 16, 2018

“It’s a good feeling,” Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford said. “It’s for these kids, because the memories they’re going to take away from this is going to last them a lifetime, and they’re going to have reunions for many years to come. (Friday) night in our team meeting, we talked about the bonding you keep through the rest of their lives. They can say they did something that no one else has done, and it didn’t come easy.”

Fresno State shut down Arizona State (7-6) in the third quarter after the teams played to a 17-17 halftime tie. In the third, the Sun Devils had four three-and-out drives and a fifth series that resulted in just one first down, and they were held to 21 yards.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.