FRESNO (Interstat) — Jayden Mandal threw three touchdown passes and Fresno State defeated Rice 38-24 on Saturday at Valley Children’s Stadium. Mandal completed 22 of 34 passes for 210 yards and ran for 57 yards for the Bulldogs, who improved to 3-1. Jacurri Brown accounted for two touchdowns for Rice, passing for 119 yards and rushing for 141. Ben Grice ran for 109 yards and a score, while Rayshon Luke rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State. Luke’s 52-yard touchdown run helped Fresno State pull away in the fourth quarter. Josiah Freeman caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, Jahlil McClain added a scoring reception, and Ezekiel Avit caught a touchdown. Julius Gillick also rushed for a score. Austin Harnetiaux recorded nine tackles for Rice, AJ Brown had eight, Jo Chavez made five, Joseph Mutombo made four tackles and one quarterback hurry, and K’vion Thunderbird made nine stops for Fresno State. Tommy Nix added seven tackles. Rice fell to 1-3.