Fresno State Athletics
Former Bulldog Pittman Leads Tampa Bay to Super Bowl
1/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 26, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - For the second time in three years, a former Fresno State football player played a key role in bringing a Super Bowl title to his respective team.
This year, it was running back Michael Pittman who helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their first Lombardi Trophy. Pittman rushed for a game-high 124 yards in the Buccaneers' 48-21 win over the Oakland Raiders.
Pittman ranks as Fresno State's second all-time leading rusher with 3,017 yards. He trails only Ron Rivers' 3,473. Pittman was a Bulldog between 1993-97 and lettered on the '93 squad that was a WAC co-champion and played in the Aloha Bowl against Colorado.
"Michael Pittman got this team started in the second quarter," said Steve Young, an on-site analyst for ABC. "His team got going after that."
"Don't forget Michael Pittman," said Al Michaels, who handled play-by-play for ABC. "His 124 yards were one of the keys to the game."
In 2000, it was quarterback Trent Dilfer who helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to a championship in Super Bowl XXXV. Dilfer, who guided the Bulldogs to two co-WAC titles and a victory over USC in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, threw for 153 yards and a score in the Ravens' 34-7 win.
Dilfer was a third-team All-American in 1993 and had his No. 12 retired in 2000.
