Tailback Ryan Mathews has etched his name in the record books in his junior season and created a long-lasting legacy

Fresno State may have to make room on the press box wall on the west side of Bulldog Stadium and retire the number 21 again.

Even though he missed a game and a half with an injury, tailback Ryan Mathews was still able to tie or surpass eight major Fresno State rushing marks in his record-breaking junior season.

Mathews, who led the nation in total net rushing yards for most of the season, currently ranks second in the nation in net rushing yardage and he leads the nation in rushing yards per game with a 151-yard average.

Mathews was a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy at one point in the season and was a candidate for the Doak Walker award, which is given yearly to the best running back in the nation.

Entering his final game against Illinois, Mathews was just 95 yards away from having more rushing yards in a single season than any other player in Fresno State history. Mathews has broken numerous records this season and is quickly building a legacy that very few Fresno State players have.

Now with one game left (New Mexico Bowl), The Collegian will take a look back at the season Mathews had and examine the records he has either passed or can pass in the bowl game.

Most rushing yards in a season
New Record: Ryan Mathews – 1,664 (2009)
Previous Record: Rodney Davis – 1,586 (2002)

Most rushing touchdowns in a season
Record: Aaron Carver – 17 (1990), Anthony Daigle (1992), and Ryan Mathews (2009)

Most rushing touchdowns in a Career
New Record: Ryan Mathews – 37 (2007-2009)
Previous Record: Anthony Daigle – 35 (1991-1993)

Most rushing yards in a Career
Record: Ron Rivers – 3,473 (1991-1993)
Currently: Ryan Mathews – 3,136 (2007-2009)

Most 100-yard games in a season
New Record: Ryan Mathews – 10 (2009)
Previous Record: Aaron Carver – 8 (1989), Ron Rivers (1993), Dwayne Wright (2006)

Most consecutive 100-yard games
New record: Ryan Mathews – 9 (2009)
Previous Record: Wendell Mathis – 5 (2005)

Most rushing yards at Bulldog Stadium (single game)
New Record: Ryan Mathews – 234 yards (2009 v. Boise State)
Previous Record: Bryson Sumlin – 222 (2002 v. Hawaii)

Most rushing yards in Bowl game
Current Record: Rodney Davis 153 yards Silicon Valley bowl vs. Georgia Tech (2002)
New Record: The 2009 New Mexico Bowl will be Mathews’ first bowl game with the Bulldogs.