Homecoming

It's Homecoming 2005, and the opponent is the Utah State Aggies. The last time the Aggies traveled to Fresno State, David Carr threw six touchdown passes and the Bulldogs rolled to 70-21 blow out. This year's game looks to have a similar score, Fresno State is a -33 point favorite.

At one time Utah State was a thorn in the side for the Bulldogs. In 1990, Fresno State was coming off a embarrassing and devastating loss at Northern Illinois. Utah State came to town the following week, and Bulldog fans were expecting a huge blow out win against the Aggies. After suffering such humiliation the week prior in Dekalb, Illinois, Fresno State looked lethargic. Utah State never gave up and battled the Bulldogs to a 24-24 tie. Fresno State players exited Bulldog Stadium hearing a chorus of boos after Fresno State failed to score on the final drive of the game.

Utah State continued their luck against Fresno State the next season in Logan. Fresno State had just beaten UNLV 48-22, in redshirt freshman Trent Dilfer's first career start, and entered the AP poll at #25 with a record of 7-0. Senior quarterback Mark Barsotti was sidelined for the rest of the season with a broken leg, but Dilfer played great in his place against the Rebels.

Dilfer was to embark on his first career road start the next week at 1-6 Utah State. The Aggies and the Rocky Mountain climate killed the Bulldogs. Fresno State was out of synch and lost to the Aggies 20-19. Utah State went on to win their next three games in a row and finished 5-6, while Fresno State finished 10-2 with a 28-21 loss to Bowling Green in the California Bowl to end the season.

Fresno State left for the Western Athletic Conference after the 1991 season, while Utah State stayed in the Big West. They met again in a non-conference game in 1993, the Bulldogs won 30-14 against the best Aggies team since the 1970's. Utah State finished 1993, Big West champs with a 7-5 record and a Las Vegas Bowl win over Ball State.