Fresno’s Cox Makes Good on Second Try : California Bowl: Bulldog linebacker misses sack, then intercepts pass and scores in 27-6 victory over Ball State.

Linebacker Ron Cox is Fresno State’s best pass rusher. But he’s dangerous even when he doesn’t get the quarterback.

Cox missed a chance for a fourth-quarter sack, but intercepted David Riley’s pass and returned it 58 yards for the game-clinching touchdown as Fresno State won the California Bowl, 27-6, over Ball State Saturday.

“The interception was an awesome play by Cox,” said Fresno Coach Jim Sweeney, whose Bulldogs have won this game four times in nine years. “He not only jumped the defender and made a great run but put some grass between him and the defender.”

Cox, a third-team Associated Press All-America who had 26 1/2 sacks during the regular season, had Riley slip out of his grasp. Riley then scrambled toward the sideline, turned and threw back across the field, where Cox was waiting. He returned it for his first collegiate touchdown and a 20-6 lead.

The Bulldogs’ defense had four second-half interceptions, including one in the end zone by cornerback James Williams to halt Ball State’s final scoring bid.

Ball State Coach Paul Schudel felt the difference was Cox’ interception and two long passes by Fresno State quarterback Mark Barsotti.

Sweeney said Ball State was hurt by several dropped interceptions.

“Had they made their interceptions, it could have been a different story,” Sweeney said.

Barsotti teamed with split end Stephen Shelley on a 91-yard touchdown pass with 1:22 left in the second quarter to give Fresno State (11-1) a 10-6 halftime lead.

Fresno State, the Big West Conference champion, finished the scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass from Eric Buechele to tight end Curt Thornton.

Ball State, the Mid-American Conference champion, had taken a 6-3 lead on a one-yard touchdown plunge by Tom Barbee. The drive was sparked by passes of 31 yards to Jeff Hammond and 34 yards to Sean Jones.

Fresno State scored first on a 33-yard field goal by Steve Loop, who added a 27-yarder in the third quarter.

Defense dominated the first quarter as neither team mounted a serious scoring threat, resulting in only the third scoreless quarter in the game’s nine-year history.

Fresno State was being penalized three times for delay of game in the first half. Overall, there were six delay calls, four against the Bulldogs and two against Ball State (7-3-2).