100 in 100: Ryan Mathews (36 of 100)
by Drew Kerr on Feb 16, 2010 12:31 PM PST
in 100 in 100 (2010)
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PrintMathews finished second in the Nation in yards rushing behind only Toby Gerhart. He had missed the second to last game against Louisiana Tech which many speculated would have been the game to make up the difference of the 63 Yards he fell short of Gerhart on. The Fresno State Bulldogs benefited tremendously by having a weapon like Mathews running the ball. They piggy-backed on the Junior Running Backs shoulders all season long to an 8-4 record but lost in the New Mexico Bowl against Wyoming. Even though the team lost, Mathews still managed to rack up 144 Yards and 2 Touchdowns in that game.
There has been much debate on whether or not Mathews will be a starting running back at the next level. Many assume that he will most likely share time and give a team a good one-two punch. I believe that Mathews will be a back up to begin with and work his way in to even a semi-starting role. The proof will be in his play as to what he will amount to in the NFL.
Mathews led the nation in rushing with 150.67 yards per game and finished the season 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns on 276 carries.
Below, I'll provide a highlight feed, some of the stats Mathews accomplished throughout his collegiate career, and a projection as to when he may be selected in the '10 draft.
The video here illustrates just why exactly Mathews was nearly the leading rusher in college football last year. His vision is impeccable. He saw the field better than possibly any other running back in the nation and was able to set up defenders way ahead of time. He may not be the fastest running back but his vision alone should help him very well at the next level.
AWARDS AND HONORS:
- 2008 First Team All-American
- 2009 First Team All-American
CAREER STATS:
| Stats Overview | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||
| YEAR | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2007 | 145 | 866 | 6.0 | 67 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 113 | 606 | 5.4 | 49 | 6 | 8 | 146 | 18.3 | 61 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 276 | 1808 | 6.6 | 77 | 19 | 11 | 122 | 11.1 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Regular Season Game Log | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | ||
| 9/5 | UC Davis | W 51-0 | 11 | 106 | 9.6 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 9/12 | @Wisconsin | L 34-31 | 19 | 107 | 5.6 | 55 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 9/18 | Boise State | L 51-34 | 19 | 234 | 12.3 | 69 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 9/26 | @Cincinnati | L 28-20 | 38 | 145 | 3.8 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/10 | @Hawaii | W 42-17 | 24 | 149 | 6.2 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/17 | San Jose State | W 41-21 | 20 | 233 | 11.7 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/24 | @New Mexico State | W 34-3 | 25 | 157 | 6.3 | 68 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/31 | Utah State | W 31-27 | 23 | 185 | 8.0 | 46 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/7 | @Idaho | W 31-21 | 26 | 143 | 5.5 | 77 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/14 | @Nevada | L 52-14 | 8 | 32 | 4.0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/21 | Louisiana Tech | W 30-28 | Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats. | |||||||||||||
| 12/5 | @Illinois | W 53-52 | 32 | 173 | 5.4 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009 Postseason Game Log | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||||
| BOWL | OPP | RESULT | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| NEW MEXICO BOWL | @Wyoming | L 35-28 | 31 | 144 | 4.6 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SUMMARY AND PROJECTIONS:
It is my opinion that Mathews will have success at the next level... to the degree of which will remain a mystery until he gets there. He has the tools, he has the vision, and he has the work eithic to make it. I believe, along with the majority, that Mathews will undoubtedly be selected in the 2nd Round. There is even a slight chance that he could go at the end of the 1st.
Possibilities -- 2nd Round; Picks: 33-64
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2nd round maybe 3rd.
I just don’t think he has the speed to make it in NFL. I watched him a lot since I live in Fresno now, and the caliber of athletes he played against made him better than he is. He outran people in College, and had he been playing against Florida or Alabama, I don’t think it would have happened.
I guess only time will tell, but I’m not impressed by him. Or even Gerhart. Just don’t think they have the speed and quickness to make it in NFL. They are kind of like Tebow, or Hansborough (in basketball). Great college athletes, but not good enough for Pros.
I just watched the highlight video
And I have to say, he looked pretty fast around the 1 minute mark but I don’t remember him having a lot of speed in college. Everytime I watched him I kept thinking, superior athlete in the WAC, and that’s it.
His stiffarm is one of the best i have ever seen.
Mathews has all the tools to become an elite back at the next level. And to those saying he doesnt have enough speed, according to http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=647 he has been running in the 4.3 zone. I went to several Fresno State games and I know how fast he is on the field. If thats not fast for a back of his toughness, nothing is. I would take him over any other “all purpose” back in the draft."
"...and Bocock is in the whole"
No fumbles
at all? Very impressive. If we don’t get Spiller and he possibly falls to the 3rd to us, I wouldn’t mind having him.
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he fumbled twice in this past year i believe. He is nowhere near careless with the ball though.
"...and Bocock is in the whole"
Oh okay
guess that stat sheet doesn’t include fumbles.
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by mountaindew77 on Feb 16, 2010 2:05 PM PST up reply actions
Good runner for a zone-blocking scheme
The guy reminds me of some the runners the Bronco’s used to use so effectively. Good but not great straight line speed and agility. Reads his blockers well and then hits the hole when the lane opens up.
While I don’t see the 49er’s taking him, I definitely could envision Seattle, with Gibbs as their OL coach, taking him in the early third or even in the second depending on how he times at the combine
this guy is an aminal...
he will be a gem for whoever gets him
v #10Boise State: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF7rbevTpsM
pretty sure he led CA, or broke the CA high school rushing record before choosing to play for the ’dogs
he led the nation in russing yards.
"...and Bocock is in the whole"
Awww...
For a second I read that as “he led the nation in russian yards”.
Which made me very happy. Then I saw what you actually wrote. And I was less happy.
I don't know about that, to the groin.
by howtheyscored on Feb 16, 2010 1:48 PM PST up reply actions
wow...
…even better. So he led the nation in rushing yards coming out of high school…then shoulda woulda coulda led the nation in rushing yards as a jr in college.
spiller makes more sense for the niners, but matthews would be a great consolation prize in the 3rd rnd
Matthews is a beast
A hard runner who follows his blocks well, hard to take down and decent speed. He will do well in the NFL.
"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son."
Fresno state
Id trade up in the second round to get him
49ers are the best there was the best there is and the best there ever will be
by swagger on Feb 16, 2010 2:56 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Thank you
was beginning to think I was the only one.
Just wonder if he can catch the ball out of the backfield like Frank Gore. Which will be tested at the combine. If he can he’ll be the most complete back in the draft.
From semi-credible sites I’ve heard that Mathews was running sub 4.4 times, benching 225lbs 22 times, with a vertical of 37 inches.
1.Trent Williams 1.Brandon Graham 2. Syd Thompson 3.Torell Troup 4.Andrew Quarless 5.John Jerry 6.Mike Kafka 7.Quinton Andrews 7.Preston Parker
You should be the only one.
He is nowhere near as explosive as Frank.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 16, 2010 10:37 PM PST up reply actions
Explain.
I live in Fresno County, where the local TV news has been very good at showing Fresno State game high lights. Only got to watch one whole game on TV and was very impressed by Mathews. Hard to compare with Gore because of the difference between NFL and College, but that one complete game and the weekly high lights show a very explosive RB. And he runs with good power moving the tacklers back several yards. Defenders paid a price if the met him head on.
Compared to Frank
It looks like he’s just walking.
The two players aren’t comparable.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 17, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
He runs much different than Gore
I don’t understand the Gore comparison’s. Not to mention He’s 5’11" 220 and Gore is 5’9" (if that) 217 and much more compact.
I don’t see the resemblence really.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
He looks legit
49ers Al Grito De Guerra!!! hahaha
by 49erSalvatrucha on Feb 16, 2010 3:16 PM PST up reply actions
2 inches and 3lbs more than Gore
I guess that’s a flawed comparison.
They’re both patient runners who are quick in small spaces. Neither will ever be labeled a bruiser or a speed back but they have a balance to their running style. They both break off a number of big plays with sheer determination, breaking multiple tackles along the ride. And nagging injuries hampered both of them.
1.Trent Williams 1.Brandon Graham 2. Syd Thompson 3.Torell Troup 4.Andrew Quarless 5.John Jerry 6.Mike Kafka 7.Quinton Andrews 7.Preston Parker
Gore is not as patient as Matthews (a good thing in this comparison), Gore is much quicker in the hole, and is a much more explosive back.
Frank Gore had two serious knee injuries (and surgery) in college. Had he stayed healthy, he would have been drafted in the 1st round.
Frank Gore was an elite talent with injury issues, Matthews is a solid RB.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 16, 2010 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
Mathews
Seems to have nagging injury issues. Not requiring anything big, but he does go down every once in a while.
by Poundtherock on Feb 16, 2010 10:41 PM PST up reply actions
Frank Gore had major knee surgery in college
Twice, I believe.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 17, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
Gore is closer to 5’8 I’d imagine… in fact someone on here said they stood next to him in an elevator and that 5’9 was bogus because they were 5’9 themself and Gore seemed much shorter. And Mathews is probably closer to 6’0…. just look at their builds, they’re completely different. Gore carries most of his weight below the waste and Mathews above the waste.
But that’s not what I was talking about… neither one of them remind me of the other… I don’t think the comparison could be any less accurate. Mathews is more of a Ryan Grant type of guy of anything as far as running styles are concerned. Put highlights of both next to each other and their styles are almost identical.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
Mathews is more of a Ryan Grant type
Great Comparison.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 17, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
No he just looks good
49ers Al Grito De Guerra!!! hahaha
by 49erSalvatrucha on Feb 16, 2010 3:22 PM PST reply actions
he runs
like a slow adrian peterson
Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.
by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Feb 16, 2010 5:51 PM PST reply actions
Also,
the lack of speed especially seems to appear at the end of long runs. He takes it down a notch around the 30 yard mark.
Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.
by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Feb 16, 2010 5:54 PM PST up reply actions
Doesn't fumble like "THE" Adrian Peterson, so he has one up on him in that regard.
Tribute to #42 Ronnie Lott
lol
So true.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Feb 16, 2010 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
Love Ryan Mathews
I am a big Fresno fan so I may be biased, but remember, biased doesnt mean that I’m wrong. (for example, I’m a fan of Michael Phelps, but that still means he’s the best swimmer today)
I’ve watched Ryan Mathews since he was a freshman, and I must say, he does remind me of Adrian Peterson, good and bad.
His freshman year he was beastly for a freshman, and in a great class of RB’s, from which “Batman” (Clifton Smith) was a center-piece. The expectations for his Sophomore season were huge.
Sadly his sophomore season, although great for how much he played, was injury prone. He could have done a lot of damage, but nagging small injuries kept him down.
Of course his Junior season was amazing, and his statistics show his exceptional mix of quickness, viciousness, burst and smarts. And although he is a GREAT football player, he seems to have a speed issue if he’s not pushed by someone. He is one that has football speed, not combine speed. In short, he wont be picked by Al Davis for his speed, but will be a great football player despite it.
Another thing about Ryan Mathews is what a great guy he is, honestly, he is a nice guy. I saw him before a game and he just seems to be humble and nice.
He also has some fumble problems, but he has improved it over the season. Not saying he wont have some of these problems in the NFL, but I know this guy will work hard to become the greatest.
If he were still available in the second, I would be overjoyed to get him, not just for his running ability, but his return ability. He reminds me a whole lot of Clifton Smith in that respect.
my bad
Didn’t mean to include “he has had some fumble problems” because he hasn’t. haha
by Poundtherock on Feb 16, 2010 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
Good running style
His big plus is that yes he does not appear to be the fastest back, but I like the versatility of his running style. I can’t see him playing here though because he needs to show that he can take on a role that will add to what we already have with our backs. I just don’t see that in him.
Ryan Grant v2.0?
Not because of the first name but because he seems to be what the Packers thought Grant should be……..yeah, I think this will only make sense to me……..
Haha... I said that above so it must be a decent comparison
But that’s not what I was talking about… neither one of them remind me of the other… I don’t think the comparison could be any less accurate. Mathews is more of a Ryan Grant type of guy of anything as far as running styles are concerned. Put highlights of both next to each other and their styles are almost identical.
The Tim Tebow Story "A Bust In The Making" ...Part 2 Coming After The Draft...Stay Tuned.
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