(3rd day of blogs looking back on Fresno State athletics in 2007-08.)

And don’t underestimate the influence of coach Pat Hill’s football team to the success of Fresno State’s athletic program in 2007-08.

A timeline of 2007-08 shows two distinctly different periods. Fresno State’s reputation took a beating throughout the first six months. Then, on Dec. 31 in Boise, Idaho, Hill’s Bulldogs manhandled Georgia Tech in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl. It was Fresno State's second victory of the season over a Bowl Championship Series school.

The Bulldogs, 4-8 in 2006, finished 2007 with a 9-4 record.

Coincidence or not, the year’s final six months were full of good news for Fresno State.