I was just a freshman when it happened.
It was the 2006 football season and, much like this season, there were a lot of preseason expectations for the Bulldogs.
I couldn̢۪t wait to go see my new school dominate opponents at Bulldog Stadium and bring pride back to the Central Valley.
The scene was set. It was my birthday, the Bulldogs had a home game against Colorado State and I would celebrate my birthday with a Fresno State victory.
That idea went away in a hurry.
The Rams crushed my spirits and the Bulldogs 35-23 that season. This loss was one of eight that season.
Fresno State went on one of its worst losing streaks, losing seven games in a row and finishing that year with a 4-8 record.
Ever since that fateful Saturday night I̢۪ve had a bit of a sore spot for the Colorado State football team.
They ruined my first birthday in college and embarrassed my Bulldogs on our home field.
But now the Bulldogs have a chance at redemption. It was announced on Sunday that Fresno State will face Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.
Although I̢۪m probably the only person in Fresno excited about this matchup, I can understand the disappointment.
It̢۪s been quite a downward progression since the beginning of the season.
Bulldog fans began the season chanting ‘B-C-S,’ then changed it to ‘win the WAC,’ and now what? ‘Rock the Rams?’ I don’t think so.
The New Mexico Bowl is the first bowl game of the bowl season, airing at 11:30 a.m. on December 20 on ESPN.
Getting up early on a Saturday morning to watch the New Mexico Bowl after just finishing finals doesn̢۪t sound too appealing, but that̢۪s just me.
And to top it off, the game is being played in a state that̢۪s more known for being a testing ground for nuclear weapons than hosting bowl games.
Basically, I don̢۪t have much to be excited about in this bowl game except for my personal vendetta against Colorado State.
However, there is an optimistic outlook to have on this game, although it is a very ‘glass half-full’ outlook.
The Bulldogs and the Rams both used to play in the WAC together, so this game is a renewal of an old WAC rivalry.
Colorado State may be 6-6, but this could prove to be one of the most evenly matched bowl games this season.
Both teams have senior quarterbacks with very similar statistics.
Fresno State̢۪s Tom Brandstater and Colorado State̢۪s Billy Farris both have 17 touchdown passes.
Brandstater has a passer rating of 129.4 and Farris has a rating of 135.1.
This is the Rams̢۪ first bowl game since 2005 and nothing could be sweeter than to begin the holiday season with a bowl win for the Bulldogs.
Maybe Fresno State will deliver me a Christmas present this time to make up for leaving me empty-handed on my birthday.
But, the way this season has gone, I̢۪m planning on a lump of coal.
Bonecrusher • Dec 8, 2008 at 8:19 pm
where is that baseball schedule for 2009? I know we open at home against Washington and the conference schedule is finished….but where’s the rest? Will more than three teams show up for the Quik Tournament this season?
Bonecrusher • Dec 9, 2008 at 3:19 am
where is that baseball schedule for 2009? I know we open at home against Washington and the conference schedule is finished….but where’s the rest? Will more than three teams show up for the Quik Tournament this season?
Bonecrusher • Dec 9, 2008 at 3:19 am
where is that baseball schedule for 2009? I know we open at home against Washington and the conference schedule is finished….but where’s the rest? Will more than three teams show up for the Quik Tournament this season?
Wannabe Bulldog from Chico State • Dec 8, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Jimmy!
Just remember MY school does not HAVE football anymore. AND you want to complain about where and when the Bowl game is played. I would probably be just grateful for the way things played out in ’08 and hope for a better ’09 for football.
And “Oh – by – the Way”—-Baseball is just around the corner—Who was college baseball National Champs last year??!!
Wannabe Bulldog from Chico Sta • Dec 8, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Jimmy!
Just remember MY school does not HAVE football anymore. AND you want to complain about where and when the Bowl game is played. I would probably be just grateful for the way things played out in ’08 and hope for a better ’09 for football.
And “Oh – by – the Way”—-Baseball is just around the corner—Who was college baseball National Champs last year??!!
Wannabe Bulldog from Chico Sta • Dec 8, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Jimmy!
Just remember MY school does not HAVE football anymore. AND you want to complain about where and when the Bowl game is played. I would probably be just grateful for the way things played out in ’08 and hope for a better ’09 for football.
And “Oh – by – the Way”—-Baseball is just around the corner—Who was college baseball National Champs last year??!!
Jiggallo Jim • Dec 8, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Yeah, maybe a little more prestige if we took the Humanitarian Bowl call once more. Maryland-Fresno State in another Bulldog win over an ACC opponent would have had some more charm and restored some of that pride lost over the 2008 season.
Jiggallo Jim • Dec 8, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Yeah, maybe a little more prestige if we took the Humanitarian Bowl call once more. Maryland-Fresno State in another Bulldog win over an ACC opponent would have had some more charm and restored some of that pride lost over the 2008 season.
Jiggallo Jim • Dec 8, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Yeah, maybe a little more prestige if we took the Humanitarian Bowl call once more. Maryland-Fresno State in another Bulldog win over an ACC opponent would have had some more charm and restored some of that pride lost over the 2008 season.
TacoNoodleDinner • Dec 8, 2008 at 10:57 am
Fun story, Jimmy. I am looking foward to watching the bowl game, regardless. Let’s see if we have any pride left. Just in case Fresno loses, I plan on buying you something you will like for Christmas! It is a little thing we like to call… TUITION and RENT!
TacoNoodleDinner • Dec 8, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Fun story, Jimmy. I am looking foward to watching the bowl game, regardless. Let’s see if we have any pride left. Just in case Fresno loses, I plan on buying you something you will like for Christmas! It is a little thing we like to call… TUITION and RENT!
TacoNoodleDinner • Dec 8, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Fun story, Jimmy. I am looking foward to watching the bowl game, regardless. Let’s see if we have any pride left. Just in case Fresno loses, I plan on buying you something you will like for Christmas! It is a little thing we like to call… TUITION and RENT!