The pride of Fresno State - #21 RB Ryan Mathews In this youtube video, you'll see highlights from his true freshman and sophomore seasons: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8fLyL1yHmg[/youtube] As a high school senior, Mathews led the NATION in rushing with 3,396 yards and 44 TDs...as a quarterback. He also threw for 851 yards and 11 scores. Just about every Pac-10 offered him a scholarship, but they wanted him to play safety or linebacker. Fresno's coach Pat Hill promised Ryan that he'd score touchdowns if he committed to the Bulldogs...Coach Hill must be a psychic. Freshman year (2007): In 11 games, Mathews rushed for 866 yards and 14 TDs, leading the team in both categories. This is a team with four guys that had over 100 carries. Mathews was just over 200 pounds as a true freshman. Sophomore year (2008): In 8 games, Mathews rushed for 606 yards and 6 TDs. Mathews was plagued by a minor knee injury for most of the season. Mathews weighed about 205. Junior year (2009): In 7 games, Mathews has rushed for 1,131 yards and 9 TDs. He's playing like a man-possessed. He came into spring ball weighing 220 - with his size now, his body can take the punishment. I know Ryan isn't making a lot of receptions, but he has great hands...Fresno just doesn't pass to their backs very much. Why should they? Mathews is doing plenty of damage on the ground. With the way Mathews is playing, there's no reason not to believe that he'll rush for over 2,000 yards and become a first round pick. Remember, he's only played running back for 3 years - there's so much potential with this kid. He's getting bigger, stronger, and faster with each passing season. I'm praying that he stays healthy all season long because if he does, he will be a first round pick, much like UCONN's Donald Brown last season. I know some of you guys will come at me with the "he doesn't play anybody" excuse. This is Fresno State...they play anybody, anytime, anywhere. Mathews had awesome games against Cincinnati, Wisconsin, and Boise State. Some awesome stats: For most of the season, Mathews has been the nation's leading rusher...and it's probably going to stay that way with games against Utah State, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana Tech, and Illinois remaining. Mathews has 7 carries of 50 yards for more - he leads the nation in this as well. What I like about him as a runner: Just a downhill runner that wants guys to get in his way. One of the best stiff arms in all of college football - he gets a couple big runs a game because of it. When Mathews was a freshman, I knew he was going to be a special player, but I didn't know if he had breakaway speed. After 2009, he's proven me wrong...he consistently breaks off HUGE runs. No one is chasing him down anymore. The best vision that I've seen in a long time...and he hasn't even played tailback for very long. This is the strongest part of his game. Mathews has NEVER fumbled the football. MOST IMPORTANT: He does his fucking job, each and every game - protects the ball, finds holes, makes big plays, and scores touchdowns.
He seems like an all-around type of NFL HB that is underrated but will always get the job done, I like the Donald Brown comparison.
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/1687811.html This a great article. It just shows how hard Pat Hill works to get his players and his program noticed. Ryan Mathews has star potential. His attitude is awesome - this kid wants to keep getting better and better. Every time he takes a hand off 50 plus yards to the house, it's him saying "fuck you" to the Pac-10 schools that said he couldn't...
No, really, I'm being serious. You don't have your location or anything so I'm not sure what college team you root for. EDIT: Actually, I thought you were a South Carolina fan, but I'm not sure...
Yea...I am. I graduated from there. My family relocated to South Carolina a few years ago, so I decided to stay close to them and continue school at University of South Carolina...that's why you'll see me support the SEC and the Gamecocks and then also mid-majors like my Fresno Bulldogs. I'm actually about to finish up school - I don't really know where I'll end up. Wherever it is, I'll support both teams. (Why the hell else would I start a 65 rated David Carr at QB in our Madden franchise?)
I dont know if it was the light in the video but it looked like he had tree trunks for legs, really thick. He looked pretty good, solid vision maybe a little more speed but other than that he looked damn good
That video shows highlights from only 2007 and 2008 - Mathews has gotten bigger and faster. Like I said in my original post, I questioned Mathews' breakaway speed at first, but he's proven me wrong this season. The guy is ripping off big run after big run because he's much faster.
Mathews really opened my eyes earlier this year. I've been following College Football for quite a few years and I have NEVER seen another RB make so many huge runs, it's incredible. Mathews is definitely Rd 1 talent. It's a shame he's in the WAC, teams/players just don't get the national recognition. The Wac is a Damn good conference and half of the teams would beat at least half of the Big Ten. If Mathews was in the SEC he would be a top 5 pick.
I wish our lines weren't crumbling so we could take this guy. I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled when the WC Bulldogs play
Another huge game for Ryan Mathews against the Utah State Aggies... Early in the second quarter, Mathews left the game with an apparent rib injury, but he came back late in the third and the Bulldogs offense took off. Mathews ran for 140 yards rushing in the fourth quarter. He ended up with 23 carries for 185 yards and 2 TDs...and it's very clear that if he goes down, Fresno's season is over. Mathews is still the nation's leading rusher and it's not even close - 1,316 yards and 11 TDs in 8 games. The second best back is Auburn's Ben Tate with 1,067 yards in 9 games.
