1990 California Bowl


The 1990 California Bowl was an American college football bowl game played on December 8, 1990 at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California. The game pitted the San Jose State Spartans and the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Background

The Spartans went a perfect 7–0 in conference play, with a tie to Louisville in their opener and losses to #20 Washington and California. It was their first Big West Conference championship since 1987, along with their fourth in nine years. The Chippewas were co-champions of the Mid-American Conference. They had only two losses and one tie in their first conference title since 1980. This was their first ever bowl game appearance.

Game summary

San Jose State had 28 first downs to Central Michigan's 13, 200 rushing yards to their 63 and 442 passing yards to the Chippewas' 220. Both teams turned it over twice. San Jose State, despite having 12 penalties for 118 yards, had the ball for 37:11. Sheldon Canley rushed for 164 yards on 23 carries and five touchdowns.

Aftermath

The Chippewas did not win the MAC title again until 1994, where they advanced to the successor to the California Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl against UNLV. They did not win a bowl game until 2006. San Jose State were co-champions of the Big West with Fresno State, but the Bulldogs were invited to play. They did not return to a bowl game again until 2006. They have not won a conference championship since 1991.