Bowl Season has arrived! I'm interested to see how Pat Hill handles this game. Wyoming is probably the worst team in a bowl game, but Hill always seems to coach his team to the same level of competition. Hill's contract was recently extended, so this could be a statement game to all of people that wanted him gone. Basically the only reason you should watch this game: Fresno State's junior running back Ryan Mathews. He can run over you or around you. Mathews is the real deal. At 5'11 225, he's built to carry a team and he's done that this year for the Bulldogs. 1,664 yards and 17 TDs in 10 games. (6.8 yards per carry) Rushed for 100 or more yards in every game but two. The only games he didn't rush for over 100 in are the two games he missed with a concussion. Before you try to knock him for playing against weaker competition, his biggest games were against Boise State, Cincinnati, and Illinois. Former Bulldog Lorenzo Neal, who is one of the best fullbacks in NFL history, says that Mathews is the best player to ever put on a Fresno State uniform. This is probably Mathews' last game as a Bulldogs. He'll more than likely turn pro after today's game.
Do you think Matthews will enter the 2010 draft? Will today's performance affect his decision at all?
It would be smart for him to leave early. He's had some minor injuries during his career, but nothing too serious. There's really no reason for him to come back and risk injury. Mathews had an extremely productive season, so he should leave while his stock is high. I've seen a bunch of different interviews with the kid and he's talking about staying for his senior year, but Coach Pat Hill will tell him to leave and take the money. He wants what's best for his players.
Nice run by Mathews on the 4th and 3, then galloped into the EZ the next play. Tremendous balance on this kid.
14-14...I was pretty upset with Fresno's play-calling until that last drive. This game should NOT be close. Ryan Mathews looks like he'll get 100 yards yet again with 66 yards in the first half. Jamel Hamler answers Wyoming's circus catch with another great catch. Hamler's going to be a great receiver for the Dogs. I'm excited about the future of the program, even with Mathews most likely going pro.
Yep, that second touchdown catch was a great play. EDIT: What's the story with your QB? He doesn't seem half bad.
Ryan Colburn is sort of a stop gap at the quarterback position. All Fresno fans are desperately waiting for David Carr's younger brother to take over at QB. Derek Carr is the kid on the sideline wearing #22. He's usually #8, but he's supporting Anthony Harding, a senior RB, that's out with an injury and didn't travel with the team. Colburn's had an up-and-down year. He was god awful against Boise, Cincy, and Wisconsin. However, he was very efficient in all of Fresno's 8 wins. He has an incredibly weak arm, but he's accurate. I'd take him over a lot of WAC quarterbacks...he comes to play and he loves contact. His stats look good right now: 9/10 and a TD, but seven of those completions are screens.
I actually can. I'm sick and tired of Pat Hill...he talks a big game and then let's his team lose every single close game they're in. He's a good recruiter, but that doesn't mean shit if you can't win. The Illinois game was a total fluke. I'm happy they won, but it was VERY lucky. Hill supposedly signed an extension at the beginning of the week, but I'm hearing that it wasn't going to be in writing until after the bowl game. This could be the end of the Pat Hill era in Fresno.
Carr is supposedly the best quarterback to ever sign with the Bulldogs. It won't mean anything to anyone if he can't beat Boise State and win the WAC.
