Fresno State Athletics
Mathews Named Walker Semifinalist
11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors announced today the 10 semifinalists for the 2009 Doak Walker Award, among them is Fresno State's outstanding junior back Ryan Mathews.
"Ryan is a special player and a special person," said head coach Pat Hill. "I have not seen a better running back in the nation this year. He's the complete package. He can block in pass protection, he's got hands and he's a powerful running back. He's so strong that he takes defenders to the ground with his stiff arm."
The semifinalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Donald Buckram (Jr.) UTEP
Jonathan Dwyer (Jr.) Georgia Tech
Toby Gerhart (Sr.) Stanford
Mark Ingram (So.) Alabama
Dion Lewis (Fr.) Pittsburgh
Ryan Mathews (Jr.) Fresno State
Jacquizz Rodgers (So.) Oregon State
C.J. Spiller (Sr.) Clemson
Ben Tate (Sr.) Auburn
Ryan Williams (Fr.) Virginia Tech
Nine games into the 2009 season, Mathews continues to prove he's the nation's most exciting and explosive running back. For the sixth-straight week he leads the nation in rushing, and not just barely. Mathews, at 162.1 yards per game, has a commanding lead (nearly 27 more yards per game) over No. 2 Toby Gerhart (135.22). He has two of the NCAA's top 10 rushing performances this season. He's powering a Fresno State ground game that ranks fifth in the NCAA in rushing yards. He moved into third place on the Bulldog career rushing yardage with 2,931 yards and has scored 33 touchdowns.
The most impressive part is that he's done it against good competition, No. 5 Cincinnati, No. 6 Boise State and No. 21 Wisconsin. His career-high 234 rushing yards against Boise State was amazing considering he alone has accounted for 25% of the entire rushing yards the Broncos have allowed this season (919) through nine games. He extended his school record streak of consecutive 100-yard games to nine He's put up these numbers despite not many fourth quarter carries. In the last five games combined, he's only had 21 carries in the final quarter, and didn't play in the fourth in either the Hawai'i or New Mexico State games. He had two carries in the fourth against San Jose State.
The 130 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes to determine the 2009 finalists. On Monday, November 23, three finalists will be named, and a second vote by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will determine the recipient. The 2009 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, December 10.
The Award is named after three-time SMU All-American running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
"We Are Your Team" - Don't miss the `Dogs on the Bulldog Sports Network as they face the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, November 14th at 1:00pm (KAIL MY53 - Comcast Cable, Channel 13). The team will return home to face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in their final home game of the 2009 season on Saturday, November 21st at 2:00pm. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" Program will also be taking place so be sure to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game. For tickets and more information, visit GoBulldogs.com or call the Bulldog Ticket Office at 278-DOGS.
