Fresno State Gets the Best of Virginia in Overtime

Paul Pinegar shrugged off midseason criticism and kept throwing for touchdowns.

Pinegar had five scoring passes, including the game-winning 25-yarder to Stephen Spach in overtime, as Fresno State defeated No. 18 Virginia, 37-34, in the MPC Computers Bowl on Monday.

“Winning feels great, especially against a Virginia team that has a great defense,” Pinegar said.

He was fabulous, completing 23 of 36 passes for 235 yards without an interception, helping the Bulldogs (9-3) erase a 21-7 second-quarter deficit and notch another victory against a big-name team.

Fresno State, the third-place team in the Western Athletic Conference, added the Cavaliers (8-4) of the Atlantic Coast Conference to a list of victims that has included UCLA, Colorado, Oregon State, Wisconsin, Washington and Kansas State in recent years.

Pinegar’s five touchdown passes were a record for the game, formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl.

Virginia got the first possession of overtime, taking a 34-31 lead on a 26-yard field goal by Connor Hughes.

It didn’t take Pinegar long to end it, though. On the first play, he zipped a pass inside the five to Spach, who fought off two tacklers and dropped into the end zone.

“We ought to be able to cover a post pass when we know it’s a post pass situation,” Virginia Coach Al Groh said.

The Bulldogs stormed off the sideline in celebration while the Cavaliers were left dazed.

“When you catch the ball in that situation, you’re just looking for the end zone,” Spach said. “You just keep on running. I knew I was really close.”

Virginia had things in hand after Wali Lundy followed blockers and rumbled across the blue turf at Boise State’s home field on a 20-yard scoring run that put the Cavaliers ahead, 31-24, with 6:20 remaining.

But Pinegar wasn’t finished. He started on the Bulldog 17 and moved his team to the Cavalier three in the final minute. Then, facing a fourth-and-goal situation, Pinegar rolled right and connected with Jaron Fairman for a touchdown with 11 seconds to play.

“My last option was to tuck it and run, but that would have been tough sledding to get in,” Pinegar said. “Jaron made a great catch. After he caught it, they swiped at his arm but he did a great job to hold on.”

Brent Vinsintainer added the point after, and it was tied at 31.

“We never panicked when we were down 14 points,” said Pinegar, who was criticized when Fresno State lost three games in a row after a 3-0 start. “We knew we just needed to stop making mistakes.”