The CSU Rams’ conference championship hopes are no longer in their hands. With a chance to control their own destiny in the Mountain West Conference title race, the Rams fell flat in a trip to California’s Central Valley, losing 28-22 at Fresno State late Saturday night. CSU scored on its first drive to take a 7-0 lead but didn’t score again until after Fresno State built a 28-7 by the end of the first half. That ended up being too tall of a hill for the Rams to climb. As a result, CSU dropped to 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the Mountain West. That means the Rams will need help in order to earn a spot in the conference title game, with UNLV (9-2, 5-1 MW) holding the tie-breaker should both finish tied for second. Boise State (10-1, 7-0) will host the title game on Dec. 6 after clinching the top spot in the regular-season standings with a narrow win at Wyoming on Saturday. The Rams host Utah State (3-3, 4-7) in their regular-season finale next Friday, while UNLV hosts last-place Nevada (3-9. 0-6) next Saturday. Mikey Keene threw two touchdown passes, Bryson Donelson had a career-high 150 yards rushing and a TD on 13 carries to lead Fresno State. Donelson, a freshman, went into the game with 199 yards rushing this season, including his previous season high of 58 yards in the season opener. Keene was 20-of-28 passing for 181 yards with no interceptions. Mac Dalena finished with seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-5, 4-3 MW). Justin Marshall capped a 12-play, 77-yard opening drive that took nearly 6 1/2 minutes off the clock with a 10-yard TD for the Rams and finished with 94 yards rushing. Donelson ran for 21 yards and Keene hit Raylen Sharpe for a 38-yard gain to set up a 16-yard TD run by Donelson to make it 7-7. Joshua Wood followed with a 4-yard scoring run before Dalena caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with 3:18 left in the second quarter and Keene hit Jalen Moss for a 15-yard TD less than 3 minutes later that gave the Bulldogs a 28-7 lead at halftime. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi ran for a 9-yard TD late in the third quarter, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jamari Person and then hit Vince Brown II for the 2-point conversion to trim Colorado State’s deficit to 28-22 with 17 seconds left. But the Rams were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick. Related Articles College Sports | AP college football poll, Week 13: CU Buffs climbs up top 25, CSU Rams earns votes College Sports | Keeler: CSU Rams continue Mountain West championship push, pound Wyoming for first Bronze Boot win since 2020 College Sports | CSU Rams vs. Wyoming football: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions College Sports | Bronze Boot extended: CSU, Wyoming announce renewal of football rivalry from 2028 to 2035 College Sports | CSU gave Avery Morrow a second chance after his assault conviction. And Rams’ top running back is making most of it Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.