Bowling Green Is Bowl Winner Over Fresno

Fresno State failed to score in three tries from the three-yard line at the end of the game and lost to Bowling Green, 28-21, Saturday in the California Bowl before a crowd of 34,877.

The Bulldogs (10-2), winners in their past four California Bowl appearances, began a last-ditch drive from their one-yard line after an interception by cornerback Tony Brown with 2:29 left. Quarterback Mark Barsotti mixed passes with runs by himself and fullback Lorenzo Neal to reach the three. It was second and goal with 12 seconds left.

Barsotti threw an incomplete pass, his next pass was knocked down and he was sacked on fourth down as Fresno State (10-2) lost for the first time in five California Bowl appearances.

Bowling Green (11-1), which won its first California Bowl game in three tries, scored twice before Fresno’s offense could get on track.

Barsotti, playing his first game after suffering a broken leg at midseason, showed he was mobile on a three-yard touchdown run around the right side.

After the Falcons scored on a nine-yard pass from Erik White to Mark Szlachcic early in the second quarter, reserve tailback Anthony Daigle ran 57 yards around the left side to pull heavily favored Fresno within 21-14 at halftime.

Bowling Green scored early in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs came back to score on a five-yard pass from Barsotti to Marty Thompson.

This year’s game was the last in an 11-year series between the champions of the Mid-American Conference and the Big West. With Fresno State moving to the Western Athletic Conference, officials hope to have an open bowl next season.