MPC Bowl  victory

With the longest active streak among schools in the western United States, Fresno State made its sixth consecutive bowl appearance when the Bulldogs battled No. 18 Virginia at the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho last month. The Bulldogs defeated the Cavaliers, 37-34 in a thrilling come-from-behind win in overtime.

Under head coach Pat Hill, the 'Dogs not only made a school record sixth-consecutive bowl appearance ,  but appeared for the 19th time in a bowl overall. Fresno State owns the longest WAC bowl streak at six games.

See full coverage of the bowl game at gobulldogs.com.

Hill expressed his thanks to the Boise fans who showed up and supported the Bulldogs -- their WAC rivals. With 28,516 in attendance in Bronco Stadium, the majority of the audience made it clear they were pulling for the ‘Dogs. 

Hill called for Bulldog fans to show their gratitude when the Broncos come to town next year.

 “We owe a big thanks to the Boise State fans who came out and showed their support for us,” Hill told a Fresno television reporter.

“We need to do something to show our thankfulness. When Boise State comes here to play us next year, yes it will be an intensely heated game, but we should do something for their fans to show that we are thankful for their support in the MPC Computer Bowl Game in Bronco Stadium.”

Dr. Peter Smits, vice president for advancement who made the trip to Boise, said even though most of the fans were decked out in Virginia’s blue and orange color scheme which is the same for the Broncos, their hearts with the Bulldogs.

He added the football team’s success is big for Fresno State.

 “We have some excellent programs at Fresno State and our athletic program is one of them,” Smits said.  “We are proud of our team as they excelled in the national spotlight.”

Plans will be developed to honor the victorious gridders when they return to school for the spring semester in late January, possibly at a basketball game halftime, said Steve Weakland, associate athletics director.