It wasn't the outcome they'd hoped for, but the Fresno State Bulldogs return home from las vegas with their heads held high.
It was a tough way to end a season that got the Bulldogs close to a BCS bowl game bid.
But loyal fans are putting the season into perspective.
"It's not that hard of a hit because from where we came from and for us to be where we're at, I think it's something worth acknowledging. So it's still a victory in my book," said Mario Nunez, a Bulldogs fan.
Fans who couldn't make the trip out to Las Vegas almost 400 miles away showed support from home by packing local businesses to watch the Bulldogs on a national stage.
For Fresno State senior Nikita Fox, the football team's success has made her last year as a Bulldog that much more memorable.
"It's been pretty epic. Definitely a great way to spend my senior year. I've been to a lot of games and it's been quite exciting," Fox said.
It was a season with its highs and lows. This game was a heartbreaker for fans.
Francisco Ibal and his friends spent the afternoon hoping for a win.
"I'm sad, it would've been nice to be there," Ibal said.
"I was excited about the whole season because I watched every single game," Gurjant Singh said. "It was good, but at the last, I'm kind of sad right now the way it ended."
'There's always next year'--it's not just a saying for Bulldog fans.
"No matter what. They could lose every game every year and we'd still remain fans," said Bobby Mora.
It was a tough way to end a season that got the Bulldogs close to a BCS bowl game bid.
But loyal fans are putting the season into perspective.
"It's not that hard of a hit because from where we came from and for us to be where we're at, I think it's something worth acknowledging. So it's still a victory in my book," said Mario Nunez, a Bulldogs fan.
Fans who couldn't make the trip out to Las Vegas almost 400 miles away showed support from home by packing local businesses to watch the Bulldogs on a national stage.
For Fresno State senior Nikita Fox, the football team's success has made her last year as a Bulldog that much more memorable.
"It's been pretty epic. Definitely a great way to spend my senior year. I've been to a lot of games and it's been quite exciting," Fox said.
It was a season with its highs and lows. This game was a heartbreaker for fans.
Francisco Ibal and his friends spent the afternoon hoping for a win.
"I'm sad, it would've been nice to be there," Ibal said.
"I was excited about the whole season because I watched every single game," Gurjant Singh said. "It was good, but at the last, I'm kind of sad right now the way it ended."
'There's always next year'--it's not just a saying for Bulldog fans.
"No matter what. They could lose every game every year and we'd still remain fans," said Bobby Mora.