Fresno State vs. New Mexico State Football 2009
NCAA Rushing Leader Mathews Needs 26 Yards to Reach 1,000
Mathews, the nation’s leading rusher, will try to crack the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time in his career when the Bulldogs meet the Aggies in the Western Athletic Conference football game at Las Cruces, N.M.
Fresno State (3-3 overall, 2-1 WAC) will be gunning for its third consecutive victory, and will also try to improve to 16-0 all-time against New Mexico State (3-4, 1-2).
Mathews ran 20 times for 233 yards in his team’s 41-21 WAC win over San Jose State last week to tighten his on the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision’s rushing lead. He’s rushed 131 times for 974 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound junior is averaging 162.6 yards per game to lead the FBS. His nearest competitor is Marshall’s Darius Marshall, who is running for 136.5 yards per game.
On Saturday, Mathews will face a New Mexico State defense that was shredded for 315 rushing yards by Louisiana Tech last weekend. The game is scheduled for 7:15 PST and will be telecast by ESPNU.
New Mexico State Offense Ranks Last in FBS
New Mexico State’s biggest problems, though, have been on offense. The Aggies are averaging just 250.1 yards per game, ranking last of the 120 teams in the FBS. And they’re 117th in scoring at 14.7 points.
First-year head coach DeWayne Walker has been rotating two quarterbacks, with sophomore Jeff Fleming and freshman Trevor Walls taking snaps. Fleming has completed 49 of 93 passes for 446 yards and two touchdowns, with six interceptions. Walls is 41-for-79, for 340 yards, with two TDs and four picks.
Todd Lee is the top receiver with 18 catches for 208 yards in six games. Marcus Anderson has 16 catches for 145 yards, and Marcus Allen’s made 15 receptions for 195 yards.
The most consistent weapon has been running back Seth Smith, who’s run for 598 yards on 4.2 yards per carry. But another standout back – Marquell Colston – is no longer with the team. Colston (249 yards, 2 TDs) was suspended after being charged with battery following a fight with his live-in girlfriend.
Louisiana Tech Game Was Low Point for Aggies Defense
Despite its struggles on offense, New Mexico State has been competitive most of the season, pulling out close wins over Utah State, New Mexico and Prairie View A&M. In a 34-17 loss to San Diego State, the Aggies gave up only 252 yards – fewer than the Aztecs managed against nationally ranked BYU.
But last week vs. Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State was steamrolled for 540 yards – 111 more than its previous season high. On the season, the Aggies are giving up an average of 363.7.
Linebackers Jason Scott and Ross Conner lead the Aggies in tackles with 62 and 56, respectively. Free safety Stephon Hatchett is third with 44 tackles. Pierre Fils paces NMSU with five sacks, and fellow defensive end Donte Savage has a team-high seven tackles for loss in addition to four sacks.
New Mexico State has struggled against the run, ranking 105th in the FBS with an average of 186.3 yards allowed per game. So Mathews and the Bulldogs might be licking their chops.
Mathews Not Bulldogs’ Only Weapon
Mathews’ 233 yards, which were collected in three quarters, came against a San Jose State run defense that ranks 119th in the FBS. He fell a yard short of his career high – which was set earlier this season against a Boise State defense that ranks 21st.
While Mathews has gained national acclaim, even picking up a vote in the ESPN experts’ Heisman poll, he’s not the Bulldogs’ only weapon. In fact, he’s not even their only standout running back. Freshman Robbie Rouse has rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns, averaging eight yards per carry.
Fresno State’s also had some success with the aerial game. Ryan Colburn is completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,027 yards and 11 TDs. He threw seven interceptions over his first seven games, but has had none in his last two.
Seyi Ajirotutu heads the receivers with 21 catches for 292 yards and two TDs. Devon Wylie has 15 receptions for 242 yards and four touchdowns.
Fresno State ranks ninth in the FBS in total offense with 461.2 points per game, and its rushing offense (279.7) is third. The Bulldogs are averaging 36.5 points.
Bulldogs Defense Improving
Coach Pat Hill’s Bulldogs are giving up 25.2 points and 365.7 yards per game – averages that predictably improved during the Bulldogs’ last two victories. Playing Hawaii and San Jose State was a picnic compared to a three-game stretch of losses to Wisconsin, No. 6 Boise State and No. 5 Cincinnati.
Defensive end Chris Carter has been Fresno State’s most feared player, as he has four of his team’s five sacks this season. Middle linebacker Ben Jacobs leads the Bulldogs in tackles with 40, and defensive back Moses Harris second with 30.
The secondary also features Desia Dunn, who leads the team with six pass breakups and is third with 26 tackles.
In addition to averaging less than a sack per game, Fresno State hasn’t come up with many takeaways. The Bulldogs’ opponents have turned the ball over just six times.
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