That felt pretty good, didn̢۪t it?
When was the last time Fresno State fans could say, “We won by 51 points!â€Â
FYI, the Bulldogs defeated the San Jose State Spartans, 63-12, back in 1999, so it̢۪s been 10 years.
Fresno State looked nearly invincible in their 51-0 victory over UC Davis, delivering hope to all Bulldog fans across the Valley.
But for most of us, there hasn’t been such a thing as a “comfortableâ€Â lead when watching Fresno State football.
Even when I̢۪m watching a game on TV I usually have to keep the Pepto Bismol near by.
But during Saturday̢۪s game I sat back comfortably without a care in the world and even had some time to update my Facebook status, while the Aggies were humiliated.
Seems like it should be smooth sailing, right? Uh, think again.
What have ̢۪Dog fans learned in the past my friends? NEVER GET TOO EXCITED!!
Allow me to give you a few examples:
Exhibit 1) 2005 – The USC Game
The 8-1 Bulldogs went into Los Angeles to take on the Trojans in arguably the biggest game in school history with all the hope in the world.
Five Paul Pinegar turnovers and 500 all-purpose yards from Reggie Bush later, Fresno State takes USC to the brink but drops the game 50-42.
Then, the Bulldogs went on to lose three straight and don̢۪t even win the WAC title.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. But wait, let̢۪s continue.
Exhibit 2) 2006 – Oregon’s Fake Field Goal
Similar to last Saturday̢۪s win against Davis, Fresno State opened the 2006 campaign with an impressive victory.
The Bulldogs defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack, 28-19, beginning the year with a leg-up in the Western Athletic Conference.
Fresno State had a load of talent back for the ̢۪06 season and things were lining up for the Bulldogs to take down the Oregon Ducks in week two.
And just like the previous year̢۪s USC game, the ̢۪Dogs gave a Pac-10 foe all they could handle.
But a couple of special team foul-ups and a fake field goal score for the Ducks doomed the Bulldogs in week two and for the remainder of the season.
Pat Hill̢۪s squad lost its next seven games and didn̢۪t make a bowl game for the first time since 1998.
Hang in there, we haven̢۪t even reached the brutal part.
Exhibit 3) 2008 – Wilted Roses
Fresh off its historic victory in the Rose Bowl over the UCLA Bruins, Fresno State had fans believing for the first part of last season.
Despite a tough loss to Wisconsin at home, fans were still thinking the Bulldogs had a chance at the WAC title – until Hawaii came to town.
The Warriors always pose a problem for the Bulldogs, but this loss to Hawaii might have been the most painful.
Fresno State made six turnovers and kicker Kevin Goessling couldn̢۪t find the uprights, resulting in a 32-29 loss and another downward spiral.
And now the grand finale …
Exhibit 4) 2001 – From Nationally Ranked to the Tank
It seems like a recurring theme every season, but Boise State seems to be Fresno State̢۪s kryptonite, although the Bulldogs are hardly Superman.
The Bulldogs are 1-7 against the Broncos under Hill, but one loss probably stings a little more than the other six.
David Carr and his ’Dogs were No. 8 in the nation, on the precipice of becoming the first ever “BCS Buster,â€Â but Boise had other ideas.
It was Hill̢۪s first ever matchup with the Broncos and it might̢۪ve started the trend.
Boise State stunned Fresno, defeating the Bulldogs 35-30 and ending any big bowl hopes.
Adding insult to injury, Fresno State lost at Hawaii the following week and ended the season with a loss to Michigan State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
Closing Argument
Sorry to conjure up any bitter feelings you might have had, but all these examples have been used to prove the point that Fresno State fans need to keep things in perspective.
These next three games will be absolutely brutal for the Bulldogs. Not that the Bulldogs are already penciled in for a loss, but each of the next three contests will be physically and emotionally draining.
Sandwiched between trips to Wisconsin and Cincinnati is a home date with Boise State on Sept. 18.
But let̢۪s relish Saturday̢۪s win as long as possible.
Come Saturday I̢۪ll be headed back to the medicine cabinet, opening up a new bottle of Pepto for the 2009 season.