POST GAME NOTES

Dec. 19, 2009

New Mexico Bowl
Wyoming 35, Fresno State 28 (2OT)
Dec. 19, 2009
University Stadium - Albuquerque

POSTGAME NOTES

Ryan Mathews scored his 37th and 38th career rushing touchdowns in the game, tying a New Mexico Bowl record for most rushing TDs in game. His first tied the game at 7-7 with a 4-yard run. That followed a big fourth down conversion in which Mathews reeled off a 29-yard run to put the ball at the 4 yard line. His touchdown extended his career school record.

Mathews posted his 11th 100-yard rushing game of the season, most by a back in school history and tying the WAC record set in 2000 by LaDainian Tomlinson of TCU.

On the day, Mathews had 144 yards on 31 carries. He finishes his third season at Fresno State second for career rushing with 3,280 yards on 530 carries with 38 TDs to average 6.2 yards per carry. Mathews ran for 1,808 yards in 2009, surpassing Rodney Davis's record of 1,586 by 222 yards.

In the WAC record book, Mathews finishes fourth in single season rushing yards, 16th all-time in career rushing yards and 12th in rushing touchdowns.

Jamel Hamler's two-touchdown game gives him four in the last four games. Two of those touchdowns were acrobatic, as he scored with 2 seconds remaining against Illinois as he stretched the ball across the goal line and then a leaping catch against Wyoming and landing with his feet in bounds. Replays on both plays proved touchdowns were the correct calls on the field. He added his second TD of the game on a reverse pass from fellow receiver Chastin West.

Hamler's two touchdowns tied a New Mexico Bowl record for most in a game, held by five other players in including teammates Lonyae Miller (2008), Anthony Harding (2008) and Ryan Mathews (2009).

Ben Jacob's blocked kick at the end of the half of a 50-yard field goal attempt by the Cowboys was the fifth of his career. It was Fresno State's fifth of the season, 84th of the Pat Hill era and the 49th since 2002, most in the nation. It was the second on New Mexico Bowl history.

Chastin West completed his first pass attempt of his career, a 43-yard pass to Jamel Hamler on Fresno State's first drive of the third quarter to give the Dogs their first lead of the game, 21-14.

Junior Chris Lewis got his first career interception and had a 27-yard interception return, breaking a New Mexico Bowl game record for most return yards on an interception. His interception was tipped by Cornell Banks and he returned to the Wyoming 6 yard line. Mathews scored two plays later to give the Dogs a 28-17 lead.

Senior Wilson Ramos made his first quarterback sack of the season, UW dropping quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuals in the third quarter.

The game was the first overtime game in New Mexico Bowl history and Fresno State's second double-overtime game in the 2009 season.

Fresno State Athletics