The 2025 edition of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop showcased the Fresno State Bulldogs from the Mountain West Conference and the Miami University (OH) RedHawks of the MAC.
Fresno States 14 ranked defense showed up big holding Miami to 192 total yards and three points in an 18-3 victory over the reigning Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl champions in Casino Del Sol Stadium on Saturday.
The leg of Bulldogs’ kicker Dylan Lynch was Fresno State’s offense for most of the game before quarterback E.J. Warner found tight end Richie Andersen lll in the end zone.
Lynch hit field goals of 23, 25, 28 and 37 going 4-for-5 for the game.
Warner, out of Brophy College Prep in Phoenix was named the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl MVP after throwing for 214 yards and completing 16 of 23 passes with no interceptions.
Most of Warners passes went to Fresno State’s leading receiver Josiah Freeman. Freeman ended the game with seven catches for 143 yards and notched 109 yards after catch.
“Definitely the most I’ve had. Something I challenged myself when the season first started and I wanted to put that on tape and put that into my game, yards after the catch so I really tried my best this year to do that.” Freeman said about his best game of the year.
Warner is the son of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Kurt Warner who played for the St. Louis Rams before playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Corner back Jakari Embry was Fresno’s star on defense against Miami. Embry had one interception and one fumble recovery.
“We are a family. We all know we got each other back”. Embry said on the way the defense gels and has success.
“These guys (Freeman and Embry) are what’s right about college right now. High character, young men you want to be around. Super excited about the win.” Fresno State head coach Matt Entz said about his two seniors who played all four years at Fresno State.
Fresno State head coach Matt Entz, WR Josiah Freeman and CB Jakari Embry after the Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/RXaAS3P3XI
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Miami’s only points came in the first quarter when Dom Dzioban hit a 33-yard field goal to give the RedHawks their only lead of the game.
“Their defense outplayed our defense by a wide margin” Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin said.
“We had a rough day at the office so, credit to them they outplayed us and they deserved to win.”
On the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl experience Martin said, “It’s a fun atmosphere, ya know what I mean, the stadium is very alive so from start to finish it’s first class, it’s a lot of fun, it’s amazing place, the weather obviously if you come from the mid-west is pretty nice.”
“We’ve got plenty of guys that are dying to play.” Martin said on opt outs and transfers “I don’t look at the guys that are leaving and the opt outs, everybody’s got to do what they want to do, I get it. That’s the world we are living in. Right now it’s kind of crazy chaotic.”
Opening statement from Miami (OH) head coach Chuck Martin after his teams 18-3 loss to Fresno State in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/k6GKDpRBkL
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
In addition to Warner, Fresno State lists five other players from the state of Arizona.
Bulldogs’ State 48 Connections:
- Defensive Lineman Merhauti Xepera, Higley High School
- Nickel Linebacker Gerayas Grimes, Casteel High School
- Linebacker Jadon Pearson, Williams Field High School
- Linebacker Lucas Blumling, Desert Mountain High School
- Defensive Lineman Jack Metzler, Horizon High School
Fresno State’s University of Arizona Connections:
Rayshon “Speedy” Luke committed to Arizona out of high school and played for the Wildcats from 2022 to 2024. After redshirting the 2024 season Luke transferred to Fresno State.
“It feels amazing, like I said, my daughter was born here and this was the first school that every gave me my opportunity to showcase my talent so it’s always be special to be here.” Luke said on his return to Arizona.
Luke, from South Central, California went to St. John Bosco High School and was part of Snoops Youth Football League.
Former Arizona running back Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, now with Fresno State talks about how it felt to be back in Casino Del Sol Stadium (Arizona Stadium). @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/j6rRcLBLx4
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Fresno State’s Associate Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator John Baxter served two stints under Arizona legendary head coach Dick Tomey. In 1988 he was a graduate assistant working with the defensive line and special teams. He returned to coach tight ends and special teams for the 1990 and 1991 seasons before moving on to Maryland.
Game Extras:
During a live interview Snoop ran to the left corner of the end zone to field a kickoff. After bobbling the ball and losing a shoe, he was able to secure the catch.
.@SnoopDogg downs one in the end zone @theARIZONABOWL pic.twitter.com/6aPN2LP5Jh
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) December 27, 2025
Snoop Dogg entered the field after the game riding in a 1963 Chevy Impala with the Bowl Championship trophy and the MVP trophy in hand.
Snoop bringing the Championship Trophy and MVP Trophy to the podium in style. @AllSportsTucson pic.twitter.com/XG62QQSL0X
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Each member of the winning team was presented with a gold necklace with a Death Row Records charm.
The bling the winning team is given from the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. pic.twitter.com/xiVsDs0SIi
— Lori Burkhart (@loriburkhart) December 28, 2025
Announced attendance for the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl was 37,232. The attendance was short of last 40,076.
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