2004 MPC Computers Bowl

The 2004 MPC Computers Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Virginia Cavaliers on December 27, 2004, at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Fresno State won the game 37–34 in overtime on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Paul Pinegar to Stephen Spach.^[1]

2004 MPC Computers Bowl
Virginia Cavaliers Fresno State Bulldogs (8–3) (8–3) ACC WAC 34 37 Head coach:  Al Groh Head coach:  Pat Hill AP Coaches BCS 18 18 18
1 2 3 4 OT Total Virginia 14 7 3 7 3 34 Fresno State 7 3 7 14 6 37
Date	December 27, 2004
Season	2004
Stadium	Bronco Stadium
Location	Boise, Idaho
MVP	Paul Pinegar Marques Hagans
Referee	Jay Stricherz (Pac-10)
Attendance	28,516
United States TV coverage
Network	ESPN2
Announcers	Pam Ward (Play-by-Play) Mike Tomczak (Analyst) Heather Cox (Sidelines)
MPC Computers Bowl  < 2004 (Jan) 2005 >

Virginia had a complicated route to the MPC Computers bowl. Strong hopes based on a 5–0 start and a #6 ranking were dashed by a 36–3 blowout loss to Florida State and a third-place finish in the ACC.^[2] The Champs Sports Bowl typically took the fourth-place bowl eligible ACC team, but Virginia declined the bid as the game (played on December 21) would have conflicted with final exams.^[3] For a time the Independence Bowl was a possibility, as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) failed to produce enough bowl-eligible teams, but this was contingent on the MPC Computers Bowl getting a Big East school—either Boston College, Connecticut or Syracuse—to replace an ACC team.^[4] The MPC Computers bowl normally had the sixth choice of ACC teams, which would have been Georgia Tech or Clemson. Clemson declined all bowl invitations after a season-ending brawl, while Georgia Tech took Virginia's place at the Champs Sports Bowl. The Big East declined to send a team to the MPC Computers Bowl, so on December 1 Virginia accepted the bid.^[5]

Fresno State accepted a bid on December 1 as well, after finishing third in the Western Athletic Conference. It was Fresno State's six straight bowl game and its first one outside of California since the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl. Virginia and Fresno State had never played each other before.^[6]

References

1. "Bulldogs QB completes stellar day with game-winner". ESPN.com. December 27, 2004. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
2. Mandel, Stewart (December 22, 2004). "MPC Computers Bowl Breakdown: Bulldogs' defense looks to slow down Cavs' running game in Boise". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
3. Doughty, Doug (November 28, 2004). "UVa chooses studies over Disney World: President John Casteen says because of UVa's exam schedule, the Cavs will not play in Orlando's Champs Sports Bowl". Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
4. Schlabach, Mike (November 30, 2004). "Cavaliers Still Waiting To Fill Somebody's Bowl". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
5. Doughty, Doug (December 1, 2004). "Cavaliers heading to Boise: After passing on a trip to Orlando, Virginia accepts a bid to the MPC Computers Bowl". Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
6. "Florida accepts invite to Peach Bowl: Gators will play either Miami or Virginia Tech". MSNBC.com. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2010.