Fresno State Athletics
Mathews, Goessling Earn All-America Honors
12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 15, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Two of the top performers on the Bulldog football teams were named to All-America teams Tuesday.
Junior running back Ryan Mathews, who for the majority of the season has led the NCAA in rushing, was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated. Mathews set a school record with 1,664 rushing yards this season and has score 37 career touchdowns, also a Bulldog record. His rushing average of 151.3 yard per game ranks ahead of Stanford's Toby Gerhart for best in the nation.
Mathews had nine consecutive 100-yard games this season and more his seven 50-plus yard runs were more than any other player in the nation. He put 234 yards and scored three touchdowns against No. 6 Boise State.
He will lead a powerful Fresno State offense into Saturday's New Mexico Bowl against Wyoming. The Dogs ranked No. 7 in the nation in rushing (231.6 ypg), No. 14 in scoring (34.3 ppg) and No. 19 in total yards (435.5 ypg). The New Mexico Bowl game will be at 1:30 p.m. PT and live on ESPN.
Goessling was named Honorable Mention All-America by Sports Illustrated after making 15-of-16 field goals on the season, including a Bulldog record 15 in a row, his current streak. Goessling is also perfect on his PAT attempts this season. Goessling kicked a game-winner to beat Louisiana Tech 30-28 on senior night in a "make or lose" situation.
They are the first Bulldog All-Americans since return specialist A.J. Jefferson was selected in 2007.
"We are very proud of Ryan and Kevin for making these prestigious All-America teams," said head coach Pat Hill, who has coached 17 All-America players in his 13 seasons as head coach
"We are Your Team!" Follow the Dogs on Twitter, Facebook and gobulldogs.com as they head to the New Mexico Bowl on Wednesday morning. Fresno State will play Wyoming on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT. The game will be live on KMJ Radio and ESPN.
