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Mathews runs show for Bulldogs.
From the Fresno Bee this morning. Picture in TBC.
Shy-guy Mathews' play says just enough
09/27/08 23:15:26
PASADENA - One play speaks to the greatness of Ryan Mathews and it's not the one they'll be showing on highlight shows. It's fourth down, in the Rose Bowl, 3 minutes left to victory, his team needing 11/2 yards that might as well be 11/2 miles. "We ran right off tackle," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said afterward. Of course they ran right off tackle. Everyone knew they were going off tackle. The bunny runs off Energizer. Popeye runs off spinach. The Bulldogs run off tackle. If UCLA had called timeout, wheelbarrowed out mortar and bricks and built a 10-foot wall over the right tackle area, it would have taken Fresno State's best shot. "We run power," Hill said. Quarterback Tom Brandstater turned and handed to Mathews. It looked like there was nothing there, probably because there was nothing there. He slammed into a sliver of light anyway, massive bodies scraping both his sides. He was a man late for work, trying to squeeze into a closing elevator. His foot caught. He stumbled, reached for the ground, balanced himself on a hand, then lunged forward for every inch. The Bulldogs needed 1 1/2 yards. Mathews got 7. The Bulldogs eventually knelt at the UCLA 4. The Fresno State band wailed. Hill waved a white flag with a red "W" on it. Bulldogs coaches hugged, not as if they'd hung on to beat an average team, 36-31, but as if they were Little League parents. This was a California big shot, you know, one of those pompous schools that wouldn't play in the San Joaquin Valley for seven figures and all the wine those farm kids at Fresno State could barrel. The Bulldogs had never beaten UCLA in the regular season, never beaten them in southern California, certainly never beaten them in the Rose Bowl, and so the 18,000 in the red-clad pilgrimage from Fresno took great pleasure in chanting and waving goodbye to the Bruins student section as it snuck out of its own stadium. At the center of the field, 15 microphones, 10 scribbling pens and seven cameras surrounded Ryan Mathews. This was the part he dreads. He doesn't talk much, not to anyone, but definitely not to strangers, and never to boast. He's well-spoken and pleasant, but as shy as the new kid in school. By the time he answered all the questions, dodged all the traps to compliment himself, he walked toward the north end of the Rose Bowl, where five sections of Bulldogs fans were still toasting victory. On the way, a radio guy reeled Mathews in. By the time he got to the north end, another dozen reporters wanted him to talk. He said things like, "I just wanted to get in the end zone," and "It's fun to play in the Rose Bowl," then he walked back, the last player off the field. Bulldogs fans chanted his name as he jogged into the tunnel. A 10-year-old from Sanger named Cody Mathison reached down for a high-five, and Mathews handed off his gloves. Don't use those gloves for football, Cody. They're past the warranty and it only took one game. They went 166 yards in just 21 rushes and scored a touchdown. They caught a pass on third-and-22, hurdled a corner and scored another. When he came out of the locker room, there were another dozen reporters and Mathews' head dropped. He turned and considered going back to his locker. They wanted to know about the highlight, the play where he'd jumped over UCLA corner Courtney Viney, landed and turned at the same time, then glided into the end zone. "... A corner or a safety or something got around [a blocker] and I just had to make a play," Mathews said "It ended up working out good." Yes, it worked out good. In much the way Pavarotti's singing and Poitier's acting used to work out good. "He hurdled over me," said Viney, who was a four-star recruit from Edison High in Fresno, "made a really good athletic play, scored the go-ahead touchdown. It was just a missed tackle." "Missed" would give the impression there was an opportunity. How do you grab a guy with a gymnast's balance and monk's personality? When the reporters all left, he was asked if he's gotten used to the attention. "Not really," he said. Do you hate it? "Kinda," he whispered. In high school, the quarterback got hurt and so they just hiked it to him every time. It's hard to imagine Mathews calling plays, being the vocal leader. "Sometimes," laughs Mike Lewis, who was his offensive coordinator at West-Bakersfield, "he'd butcher the calls and just go back there and make something happen." You can't be that good and hide, can't go for 166 and two touchdowns, leap a tackler in stride and grunt for the most important 11/2 yards of a game on national TV in the Rose Bowl in front of 73,000 and expect no one to notice. Mathews was asked if the Bruins had recruited him and he said they had. They asked why UCLA lost interest and he didn't explain that everyone but Fresno State gave up on him qualifying academically. When he did get his grades up, USC tried to steal him at the last minute, but Pete Carroll wanted him to play defense. Mathews wanted to bust through slivers of space with the game on the end of the plank. And like he says, that's worked out good. The columnist can be reached at mjames@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6217. Read his blog at www.fresnoComments
37 comments from 8 users
1
posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:03 PM
HI Nancy your the 2nd person for me to say HI Jason let me back on WAS -Allred-NOW Ronnies posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:05 PM
What do we call you now. Red, Allred, Ron, Ronnie? posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I'll answer to all Audrey posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Red I have to answer you over here on Nancy's Blog. Sam has locked me out of his blogs. I have no idea what you did. But, cut it out, whatever it was! Nancy has been fighting the conservative cause all by herself the last few days. She can use your help. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Nancy Sorry to distract from your sjubject. posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM
I was on Chantix for 3 weeks I was trying to quit smoking after 3 weeks I became a diffent person and I was having nightmare's I started calling people in here names one person Husband/ material I guess reported me and off I went But after 2 months off the Chantix I feel much better but I'm still a conservative posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:22 PM
How's the smoking going? I hope you quit. posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Audrey I have been smoking for 53 years it seems natural to me now never had any problems with it posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:30 PM
It's ok Audrey, no ones using it anyway..lol. posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Nancy I'm also sorry for using your post for me but I forgot how to post but will learn again posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Red I quit 11 years ago. Now I hate the smell of cigarettes. I think I'm allergic to them. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Nancy I'd comment on the Bulldogs but it wouldn't make any sense. I know ZIP about sports. Thanks for the loan of your blog. :-) posted by
arizboy6
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:32 PM
RYAN IS A REALLY OUTSTANDING PLAYER I HOPE HE GOES ANYWHERE EXCEPT THE RAIDERS,CARDINALS OR COWBOYS posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Don't worry bout it you two. iIt's fine. Ron, its like riding a bike.... :-) posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I wanted to quit but the Chantix really put me on my butt now afraid to try something else I guess self control is the best posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Red It took me 2 1/2 years to quit. Actually I got addicted to the gum for about two years, then progressed to the patch for 1 month. Then nada, finis. Done! posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I tried once before with sunflower seeds I was addicted to them after 3 months and still keep smoking I then had two habits posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Audrey, I knew very little about football, just the main parts before "the Boy." I went to all the West High home games and learned a little about High School Football. Then he went on to college ball and I learned something a little different. Still not much mind you. When he goes pro I guess I'll have to learn more about the NFL. I just wish they'd paint the ball neon fuscia so I could keep a better eye on it. posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Dry Cheerios and Boston Baked Beans...that's the trick. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I hear ya Nancy. I occasionally watch Baseball and a few other sports. Football confuses me. posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Do you remember a record/skit by Andy Griffith called "What is was was football?" That would be me explaining it. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Red Breaking the sunflower seed addiction was hard for me too. Now I don't smoke and don't eat sunflower seeds. Life's a drag. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:49 PM
No But I'd love to hear it sometime. I wonder if I can find it on the internet. Youtube? I loved Jerry Reeds comedy stuff too. posted by
CatherineBaker
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Sorry to derail things yet again (I don't know anything about football, either) but how ya doing, Mom? Feeling better? We're halfway through bathtime/bedtime. posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Cat Why didn't someone warn me about Nebulizers (?). I've had a terrible taste in my mouth all day after using one. Yuck Plus, it made me high as a kite. I cleaned this house today in 2 hours flat. I was flying (really). Actually the cure is turning out to be as bad as the bronchitis. Except I got a clean house out of it. posted by
CatherineBaker
on Sep 30, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Mom, I didn't know that Nebulizers made people high. My house is a mess, so I could use one right about now. I've only used Nebulizers a couple of times, and both times it just made me feel dizzy. You must have some good stuff in your Nebulizer. I hope you're feeling better--highness aside. posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Sam Nancy Audrey thanks for the warm welcome back and again Nancy thanks for letting me use your post Allred, Ron Ronnie posted by
CatherineBaker
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Hey Allred--Sorry! I meant to welcome you back, too! : ) posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Thank you Cat posted by
AudreyB
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Rose told me that Nebulizers have some of the same ingredients as meth. No wonder I was high. One dose had better cure me because I'm not using it again. posted by
Ronnies
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Audrey would it help quit smoking ? posted by
CatherineBaker
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Take your medicine Mom!!! I don't care if it's shoe polish--take it! Sorry for the yelling. Habit. But seriously, you should take your medicine. Now I'm gonna call Rose and tell on you. SHE'LL nag your leg off. posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:31 PM
posted by
sagefever
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Congrats to Ryan~ and to the whole clan. Hi Ron! Glad your back!! I have to use this blog too,I am also banned from Mr. Heaths blogs.Things are still pretty much the same here.Good luck on quiting. posted by
NancyII
on Sep 30, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I liked this article because most focus on his talent while this one really captured Ryans personality AND talent. He is the quietest kid around. Now Dante...that 's another story. Both good kids though. posted by
jfrancais
on Sep 30, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I'm glad too see Ryan doing so well. I remember some of the haters on TBC blogs before he signed with Fresno State saying he wouldn't make it past his 1st semester. It's good to see a kid from Kern County do great things and stay humble. I would like him to stay at Fresno State for 4 years but I'm being selfish as a Fresno State fan. posted by
michele1075
on Sep 30, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Nancy, sorry but I'm going to derail this real quick too. Audrey, can you come over my house about 630 a.m. when we are all leaving to start our day? Please don't forget your inhaler, if you would start upstairs first and work your way down because 2 hours is just awesome.....LOLOLOL!! (just playing with you!)
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