Mathews 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