Fresno State Athletics
First Rounders Return
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - The stars shined bright at Bulldog Stadium Saturday night as three former Fresno State student-athletes and NFL first-round draft players returned to their alma mater to check out the 2010 team and stand on the sidelines where they once played. Trent Dilfer, David Carr and Ryan Mathews, made the trip back to the Valley and back to their college roots for the Bulldogs season opener.
Dilfer, who played for the Dogs from 1990-1993, was a standout quarterback throughout all levels of his career. With the Dogs, he led the nation in pass efficiency en route to being named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, and helped his team win or share the conference title for three straight seasons, including a win over USC and a Freedom Bowl victory. He was the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and captured a Super Bowl win with the Baltimore Ravens. Amongst other NFL teams Dilfer played for were the Seattle Seahawks, the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers. Now retired from his playing days, Dilfer is an analyst for ESPN and called tonight's game.
Just last season, running back Ryan Mathews made headlines and history becoming the nation's leading rusher averaging 150.67 yards per game in 12 games totaling 1,808 yards on 276 carries and 19 touchdowns as a Bulldog. Mathews was named first team All-WAC and second team All-American in the midst of multiple awards during his college career. In 2009, Mathews became the 12th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers in the first round of draft, becoming yet another and the next former Bulldog to make it into the pros.
Starting quarterback for the Dogs in 2000 and 2001, David Carr led his team to a 7-5 and 11-3 record while he was in the position at Fresno State. During his career, the Bulldogs climbed as high as no. 8 in the polls and he completed 587 of 934 passes for 7, 849 yards. Carr was also featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated during his collegiate career. In 2002, Carr became the first overall pick of the NFL draft, to the Houston Texans. His career path includes positions with the Carolina Panthers, the New York Giants, and now, the San Francisco 49ers. On September 8, 2007, Fresno State retired Carr's #8 jersey in his honor.
"It's always good to be back," said Carr. "The people here are awesome and that's why whenever I get some free time I like to come back. It's good to see people and see the fans no matter how long ago you have played, even if it was eternities ago, people still know you. The team looks good and I see so much talent and experience out there. My greatest memory of playing at Fresno State is the stadium and the atmosphere. It is unlike anything and such a community. I feel like I know the people. Fresno is a special place and it's great to be back."
