Trent Dilfer, who told reporters on Wednesday that he's retiring after 13 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL, was only a freshman at Fresno State when he made what has to rank as one of the clutch passes in his illustrious career.

The scene: Nov. 23, 1991, San Jose State vs. Fresno State, a then-record 40,513 fans in Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs were ahead 31-13 with just a little over three minutes to go. Then Spartans quarterback Jeff Garcia threw two touchdown passes 20 seconds apart to make it 31-28.

At stake was a Cal Bowl berth. The Bulldogs need a victory. The Spartans needed a win or a tie.

It was third-and-8, about two minutes left. Dilfer dropped back and completed a 29-yard pass to Malcolm Seabron. The Bulldogs ran out the clock.

Dilfer threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for another score.

Said Bulldogs coach Jim Sweeney: “He was absolutely amazing.”

Almost a generation has passed since Dilfer arrived at Fresno State. It’s all too easy to forget how good he was.