Fresno State Athletics
Mathews Named Bulldog MVP
11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 22, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team celebrated the 2009 season Sunday afternoon with the annual football awards banquet at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fresno. Nearly 500 Bulldog fans and enthusiasts attended.
As selected by his fellow teammates, junior running back Ryan Mathews was presented the afternoon's top award as Bulldog MVP by head coach Pat Hill. A three-year starter, Mathews currently leads the nation in rushing for the seventh-straight week at 149.1 yards per game and holds two of the NCAA's top 15 rushing performances this season. Mathews is third on the Bulldog career rushing yardage list and set a school-record streak of consecutive 100-yard games with nine. He is an explosive defensive weapon for the Bulldogs.
"I have not seen a better running back in the nation this season," said Hill. "And I can say without question he's the best running back I've been around. He is a catalyst for our offense and we are looking forward to getting him back for the Illinois game."
In addition to his MVP honors, Mathews also received Most Valuable Back recognition on the offense averaging 161.6 yards per game and playing as a fast and powerful back all season long. Mathews has 467 carries for 2,963 yards for 33 touchdowns in his career.
Sophomore kicker Kevin Goessling was named Special Teams Player of the Year. Goessling showcased his leg power by setting a 58-yard field goal in 2008 to clinch the game in the final seconds for a Fresno State win at Utah. An outstanding student, Goessling maintained excellence in the classroom and made seven of his final eight field goals to end the season that year. He has shown immense improvement in delivering field goals this season and was ranked as one of the nation's best.
Senior fullback Reynard Camp was selected as the Don Duncan Over-Achiever Award winner. A walk-on to the team in 2005, Camp has progressively grown into his position, working his way onto the field and increasing appearances and stepping up performances in the games. Camp worked his way into becoming a powerful player who excels on special teams and opens holes for Bulldog running backs.
For the Director's Academic Award, the recognition went to senior defensive back Moses Harris. A four-year starter on the team, Harris has won Academic All-WAC honors the last three seasons and will contend for the honor this year, along with Academic All-America honors. Actively involved in his academics, Harris served as President of Fresno State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and studied abroad in Hong Kong in 2008.
"Moses is the epitome of a Bulldog football student-athlete," said Hill. "He's excelled on the field, on campus and in the classroom and been recognized nationally for his hard work."
Harris will be honored at the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Awards Dinner in New York City on Dec. 8 as a finalist for the Campbell Award, also known as the Academic Heisman.
The Most Valuable Defensive Back honor also went to Harris. He has had 49 tackles and 18 assists this season and is a proven strong leader to his teammates. Junior defensive lineman Chris Carter was awarded Most Valuable Lineman on the defense. Carter was one of the top returning defensive players in the WAC this season and among the WAC and national leaders in tackles for losses despite playing most of the year with a club on one hand.
On the offensive side, junior right guard Andrew Jackson was recognized as Most Valuable Lineman. Battling an injury last spring, Jackson came back this season full force. Jackson has blocked three kicks in his career and has proven his ability to excel on both teams.
The one and only other award voted on by the players is the Most Inspirational Player award, which was given to junior defensive back Lorne Bell. As a player who has overcome an exceptionally tough injury, Bell has evolved into a leadership position on the defense as well as into hard hitting player. Bell has 47 tackles this season and has fought a long road to get himself back in the game and on the field.
The Scout Team Awards were given to sophomore wide receiver Rashad Evans and freshman linebacker Jeremiah Toma. Team captains were also highlighted and honored for their leadership.
Here's a breakdown of the awards handed out during the ceremony:
Don Duncan Over Achiever Award: Reynard Camp
Dick Duncan Scout Team Player (Offense): Rashad Evans
Dick Duncan Scout Team Player (Defense): Jeremiah Toma
Team Captain (Offense): Ryan Colburn
Team Captain (Defense) : Ben Jacobs
Team Captain (Special Teams): Robert Malone
Most Valuable Lineman (Offense): Andrew Jackson
Most Valuable Lineman (Defense): Chris Carter
Most Valuable Back (Offense): Ryan Mathews
Most Valuable Back (Defense): Moses Harris
Special Teams Player of the Year: Kevin Goessling
Director's Academic Award: Moses Harris
Most Inspirational Player: Lorne Bell
Most Valuable Player: Ryan Mathews
Now, the `Dogs turn their attention to a Big Ten road trip to face off against Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. PT. Fresno State expects a bowl invitation announcement in the coming weeks.
"We Are Your Team"- The Fresno State football has a week off before closing out the season on December 5 at Illinois.
