Bulldogs' Mathews is a national treasure

Catch the Fresno State running back while you still can.

Published online on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Take a look at Ryan Mathews.

A good, long look.

And appreciate him while you can.

That was Fresno State coach Pat Hill's message this week to the media and fans about his team's star.

You could be watching the best running back in the nation.

"I hope you know you're watching a very special player here at Fresno State," Hill said this week as the Bulldogs prepared to host San Jose State on Saturday. "This week against San Jose, if you're going to come to watch somebody, come watch this team. But really, come and take a good look at Ryan Mathews."

Blessed with power (see the stiff-arm against Hawaii) and speed (do a YouTube search of his 234-yard performance against Boise State), Mathews is healthy for the first time in his career and performing at an elite level.

The junior has moved back atop the national leaderboard with an average of 148 rushing yards per game. In five games and 111 carries, Mathews has 741 yards and six touchdowns.

Only Stanford running back Toby Gerhart has more rushing yards than Mathews at 746, but the Cardinal has played six games. Marshall's Darius Marshall is just behind Mathews in yards per game at 147.

"Ryan Mathews is certainly as good as anybody in the country," said San Jose State coach Dick Tomey, whose Spartans have faced Gerhart and USC's stable of running backs.

Then consider this about the Bulldogs star:

Mathews played just one quarter in Fresno State's 51-0 win against UC Davis to start the season. And, he played just 21/2 quarters in Fresno State's 42-17 win against Hawaii last week.

That means the bulk of his yards came against No. 5 Boise State, No. 8 Cincinnati and formerly ranked Wisconsin.

"This year, he's very healthy, very strong," Hill said. "He's picking up momentum as he goes. He's gained yards against some pretty good competition.

"It's not like he's racking up yards against anybody's weak sister."

Mathews is on pace to shatter the Bulldogs' single-season rushing record of 1,586 yards set by Rodney Davis in 2002.

If Mathews gains 787 more yards (meaning 1,528 for the season), he'll be only the third running back in Fresno State history to reach the 3,000-yard career plateau. Ron Rivers (3,584, 1991-93) and Michael Pittman (3,186, 1993-97) are the two there now.

And with the rest of Fresno State's schedule much less formidable compared to its early stretch, the only major hurdles in the former West High star's way are his injury history and limits on his carries should Fresno State win any more blowouts.

"I think it would mean a lot to our region if we had the leading rusher in the nation," Hill said. "When you hear about a guy leading the nation from USC, it's a big deal.

"You've got a guy here from Bakersfield who's leading the nation in rushing after five weeks, playing against very good opposition. I think it's something we should all take a lot of pride in."

Should Mathews continue his pace, Fresno State plans to promote him more for postseason awards, such as All-America honors.

"There's a timing strategy to it," said Steve Weakland, Fresno State's sports information director. "The earlier you do it, the less effective it can be."

A shot at the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player might not be realistic, but the Doak Walker award (given to the nation's top running back) just might be within reach.

NFL scouting services also have taken notice.

Mathews started the season as the 12th-best running back prospect for the 2011 draft class, according to the Web site NFLdraftscout.com. He has since risen to No. 4.

Hill knows full well that Mathews' shot at skipping his senior season to play in the pros is improving.

"Hopefully," Hill said, "he'll be around for another one, but you never know."

Fresno State's game at New Mexico State on Oct. 24 has been picked up by ESPNU. Kickoff is now 7:30 p.m. PDT to accommodate the broadcast. It was originally scheduled for a 5 p.m. kickoff.

Bulldog Sports Network was originally going to broadcast the game but has added the Oct. 31 home game against Utah State as a replacement.