Jan. 6, 2009

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - San Diego senior wide receiver John Matthews (Littleton, CO) hauled in some more post-season recognition today after being named to the 2008 Sports Network All-America team. He was named to the First Team and joins two other receivers, senior Ramses Barden of Cal Poly and junior Andre Roberts of The Citadel. Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards and Buck Buchanan Award recipient Greg Peach headed the First Team with a total of 92 players being named to the three teams.

Matthews, who earlier had been named a First Team FCS Associated Press All-American, was also recognized by College Sporting News on their 2008 Fabulous Fifty Division I FCS All-America Team. He recently was added to the roster of the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge that will be played on January 31, 2009, in El Paso, Texas at the Sun Bowl on the campus of UTEP. More than 200 NFL scouts are expected to be in attendance.

Matthews, who finished seventh in the recent Walter Payton Award voting, ranked No. 1 among all FCS receivers in five categories this season: receptions (102), receiving yards (1,478), touchdown receptions (21), receptions per game (9.27) and receiving yards per game (134.36 average). Matthews leaves USD as the all-time record holder for touchdown receptions (50) and receiving yards (3,615), and finished second in overall receptions with 195. The Toreros, under the direction of head coach Ron Caragher, finished 9-2 for the second straight year.