Greater Expectations

That's exactly what true freshman RB Ryan Mathews just brought upon himself. He told Pat Hill he wants No. 21, so Hill called and asked blast-from-the-past Dale Messer if he would mind letting his jersey come out of retirement for this new kid on the block.

Messer said yes. Alls I know, is the kid better live up to the hype now. Hill must think he will, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to all that trouble.

So what did Mathews do in his days at West High in Bakersfield to deserve such amenities...?

Well, he led the nation in rushing. He turned down a late offer from USC (which should earn him bonus points in everyones' book) and his parents left one of the Ts out of his last name...on purpose!

Try that one on for size Evan O'Dorney!