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Mathews, Brandstater lift Fresno State over UCLA

Sep 27, 2008 - 11:22 PM PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- Ryan Mathews rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown and Wilson Ramos recovered a crucial late fumble as 25th-ranked Fresno State held off UCLA, 36-31, on Saturday.

Despite losing their last two games by a combined score of 90-10, the Bruins kept the pressure on the Bulldogs throughout - and had a chance to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, freshman tailback Derrick Coleman wasted a perfect scoring opportunity, coughing up the ball at the Bulldogs' 10-yard line.

Ramos recovered for Fresno State (3-1), and UCLA (1-3) never made another serious threat as the Bruins dropped their third straight game.

Mathews' 49-yard touchdown dash gave the Bulldogs an early 13-10 lead, and the sophomore came up big on the final drive as his team ran off the final 8:55 off the game time. Mathews converted a pivotal 4th-and-1 with 2:53 remaining, bursting through the line for a seven-yard gain.