Fresno State Coach Pat Hill expressed his thanks today to the Boise fans who showed up and supported their WAC rivals against the Virginia Cavaliers in Monday’s MPC Computer Bowl.
With 28,516 in attendance in Bronco Stadium, the Bulldog’s upset the Cavs 37-34 in overtime, winning their third straight bowl game. About 1,500 were Bulldog fans but the majority of the bowl audience made it clear they were pulling for the ‘Dogs.
At a media availability this afternoon in the Duncan Athletic Building at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, 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 yesterday 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, one of only two bowl games featured by ESPN yesterday, 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.”
Athletic Director Scott Johnson will be interviewed live on KSEE Ch. 24 (NBC) at 6:30 p.m. today.
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.
