Mercy Bowl

The first Mercy Bowl was played in Los Angeles, California, on November 23, 1961. The match-up pitted Fresno State and Bowling Green. While Fresno State defeated Bowling Green 36-6, what overshadowed the game shortly after it was played was a plane crash that killed members of the Fresno State delegation. A second Mercy Bowl was played on December 11, 1971, which commemorated the plane crash victims in 1961. Ironically, three assistant coaches for Fullerton State, Fresno State's opponent in the second Mercy Bowl, were killed in a plane crash in November 1971. Fullerton State defeated Fresno State 17-14. The game was disbanded thereafter.