Highly rated star ., who led West Virginia in rushing in 2022, suffered a torn ACL during practice on August 7. The Houston Cougars were gearing up for a competitive 2024 season but faced a significant setback last Wednesday.
Mathis revealed his injury six days later through an Instagram story, stating it was a non-contact incident. Unfortunately, this has become a troubling trend in Texas, as Mathis, Texas running back CJ Baxter, and Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens all experienced season-ending injuries in the same week.
After transferring to Houston in May 2023, Mathis played in 10 games during the Cougars’ first season in the Big 12. He made two starts—one in the season opener against UTSA on September 2 and another in a conference game against Cincinnati on November 11, both separated by over two months.
Mathis recorded a total of 170 rushing yards on 41 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. He ranked fourth on the team in rushing production and third among running backs, trailing only Parker Jenkins and Stacy Sneed. In his single season with the Cougars, Mathis also recorded 11 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. His performance peaked at the beginning of the season and improved again in November after a midseason slump.
Having joined West Virginia in 2019, the sixth-year senior will retain eligibility as a seventh-year senior in 2025 due to this season-ending injury. He currently boasts 1,113 career rushing yards, 143 receiving yards, and a total of eight touchdowns.
With Mathis out, Houston’s running back situation will depend on true sophomore Parker Jenkins and fifth-year junior Stacy Sneed. Jenkins led the team in rushing yards in 2023 with 464 yards and three touchdowns, while Sneed, who had the most rushing yards among running backs in 2022 (501), added 282 rushing yards and one touchdown in 2023 after Jenkins and Mathis joined the team.
No other running backs on the Houston roster received carries last year, but Mathis’ injury provides an opportunity for Re’Shaun Sanford II, who missed his entire freshman season due to injury. The former 3-star recruit is expected to take on a more significant role in the run game in 2024.
Houston will begin its 2024 season at home against UNLV on Saturday, August 31.
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