Anthony Harding added two fourth-quarter touchdown runs and 99 yards rushing for the Bulldogs (7-4, 4-3 WAC), who beat San Jose State (6-6, 4-4) for the 14th time in the past 15 meetings.
Both teams came into the game with the six wins necessary for going to a bowl game but were hoping to bolster their credentials with a strong performance on national television and in front of several bowl representatives.
With the WAC possibly having six bowl eligible teams and only three automatic berths, this game was crucial to the postseason hopes for both teams. Neither team looked worthy of a bowl, but Fresno State might have done just enough to earn a trip.
The Bulldogs had been unable to move the ball at all before West's return of a short punt by Philip Zavala tied the game at 10 late in the third quarter. Fresno State had been limited to three first downs and 54 yards of offense to that point.
After forcing a punt by San Jose State (6-6, 4-4) on the next drive, Fresno State went to its ground game, running the ball on all 11 plays of a 69-yard drive. Harding's 8-yard run gave the Bulldogs a 17-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Harding added a 21-yard touchdown run with 5:02 left that made it 24-10 and put the game away.
Running back Brandon Rutley threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to David Richmond on an option play in the first quarter for San Jose State's only touchdown. After losing four of their final five games, the Spartans must now wait and hope that a bowl will still be interested in inviting them.
Fresno State, which finished the season next weekend at No. 9 Boise State, could have found itself in a similar situation. The Bulldogs, however, managed to pull it out after they committed three first-half turnovers and got a 5-for-18 passing performance from Tom Brandstater.
The Spartans made plenty of mistakes of their own. Jared Strubeck missed two field goals and San Jose State committed 10 penalties for 88 yards.
Sean Flynn made his first career start in his final regular season game, playing for the injured Kyle Reed. Flynn finished 20-for-36 for 170 yards. Yonus Davis returned after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury but gained only 36 yards on 12 carries.
The Spartans' lone offensive highlight came a fumble by Vince Pascoe gave them the ball at the 35. On the next play, Flynn took the shotgun snap and pitched a lateral to Rutley, who threw a strike to Richmond for the first score of the game.
The teams traded field goals after that, giving the Spartans a 10-3 halftime lead.