Fresno State’s Bridges healthy again after health scare before UNLV game

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno State senior defensive end Devo Bridges is back practicing with the team this week.

Bridges, a sixth-year captain for the Bulldogs, had a scary episode last week before Fresno State’s game at UNLV.

He experienced shortness of breath before the game with the Rebels, which meant, instead of playing in the game at Allegiant Stadium, he spent some time in a Las Vegas hospital that day.

He says it’s the first time he experienced an episode like that.

“You know, I wanted to play so bad,” said Bridges after practice on Tuesday. “I’d die on that field if I could. There’s more to life than just football, so they decided for me not to play. I’m 100 percent back now, excited to be back on my team, you know, everyone checked on me and stuff like that. There’s more to life than football, so I appreciate their support.”

Devo didn’t want to get into specifics about what the diagnosis was from the doctors.

“I’m back now, so that’s all that matters, so I’m good,” said Bridges.

But there is definitely a new appreciation for the game, after going through something like this.

“I’m so glad to be back, the game could have been taken away from me, so I learned to appreciate it more,” said Bridges.

He and the Bulldogs (3-2) host Washington State (4-1) this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Valley Children’s Stadium, trying to bounce back from that rough 59-14 loss at UNLV.

“Getting the win, getting back on track, that’s the number one thing, winning,” added Bridges.

The Rialto, Calif. native has some good memories from the last time he suited up against the Cougars, when Bridges was named the Defensive MVP, in the Bulldogs 29-6 win over the Cougars in the 2022 Jimmy Kimmel Los Angeles Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

“Something Coach Teddy used to say, flick back and flip up,” said Bridges, in reference to that MVP performance in the LA Bowl, in which he had a career-high eight tackles, along with a career-high 2 sacks. “Look back at memories and build your confidence, so that’s something that definitely helps.”

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