Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs to Play UCLA in Silicon Valley Football Classic
12/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 2, 2003
- Fresno State's Bowl History
- 2003 Statistics
- Quotes From Bowl Announcement Media Conference
- 2003-04 Bowl Schedule
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team will be making its fifth consecutive bowl appearance, as the Silicon Valley Football Classic extended an invitation to the Bulldogs today for the 2003 classic. Fresno State will play UCLA of the Pacific-10 Conference in the Dec. 30 game at San Jose State's Spartan Stadium. It marks the fourth year in a row Fresno State will play in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. The bowl match-up is contingent upon the Big 12 Conference having two teams in the BCS.
"We are thrilled to get an opportunity to play UCLA in a bowl game," said head coach Pat Hill. "The Bruins have an outstanding history and tradition and come from a prestigious BCS conference. We are very fortunate to play them. I'm sure our fans will be excited about this match-up and the opportunity to play the Bruins."
The Bulldogs last played the Bruins in 2000, losing 24-21 at the Rose Bowl. Despite their close proximity, Fresno State and UCLA have played just six times in history, with the Bruins winning each. All six of those games were played at UCLA.
"This is a great tribute to this 2003 team and our program," said Athletics Director Scott Johnson. "The Bulldogs have battled through injuries all season long. To win eight games against the toughest schedule in school history is a wonderful accomplishment. It's going to be a great opportunity to finish this season strong. There's not doubt UCLA has an excellent team and program. This is a great showcase for the Bulldogs to play such a storied program in a bowl game."
Fresno State (8-5, 6-2 in the WAC) has appeared in four straight bowl games, defeating Georgia Tech 30-21 in the 2002 Silicon Valley Football Classic. Fresno State tied for second place in the WAC. All five of Fresno State's losses in 2003 have come to teams that are going to bowls, including two teams currently ranked in the top 10 of the BCS standings -- No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 8 Tennessee.
Under Pat Hill, the Bulldogs are making a school record fifth consecutive bowl appearance. This is the third bowl game in a row that the Fresno State will be playing an opponent from a BCS Conference. The Bulldogs lost to Michigan State of the Big Ten in the 2001 SVFC and defeated Georgia Tech of the ACC in last year's game.
"Playing a BCS school in a bowl game is a great reward for a very good season," Hill said. "This team deserves a lot of credit for keeping it together and driving for this bowl berth. Our kids deserve a lot of credit for battling through a demanding season. Playing UCLA will be a great way to finish this season and a great way for this senior class to go out. This Silicon Valley Football Classic has been great opportunity for our program to play nationally recognized opponents in a bowl game. It is a great experience and a great bowl game."
The Bulldogs will be making their 18th bowl appearance and are 9-8 all-time in bowl games. Fresno State has the longest WAC bowl streak at five games.
UCLA finished up the regular season 6-6 (4-4 Pac-10) under first-year head coach Karl Dorrell. The Bruins started the year strong, winning six of their first eight games. Included in those victories were wins over California, Washington and Arizona State. The appearance in the Silicon Valley Football Classic marks the 25th time in program history the Bruins will play in a bowl. They are 13-11 all-time in postseason games. However, UCLA has posted wins in 10 of its last 14 bowls.
Ticket applications for the Silicon Valley Football Classic will be mailed to Bulldog Foundation Members and season ticket holders Wednesday. Beginning Dec. 6, tickets will be available to the general public through the Bulldog Ticket Office or online at www.gobulldogs.com.
