Matt Quillen

Matt Quillen

Player Profile

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Albuquerque, N.M.
High School:
La Cueva HS
Height / Weight:
6-0 / 250
Position:
Fullback
Birthdate:
08/10/1985
Experience:
3L

NEW MEXICO: Arguably the best blocking fullback in the Mountain West Conference...No. 1 job is to clear the way for two-time first team all-MWC running back Rodney Ferguson and shifty Paul Baker, but he is also a solid receiver out of the backfield and has good power and deceptive speed as a ball carrier...a tough player who can punish defenders in the run game...a load at 6-0, 250, giving the Lobos a powerful 1-2 punch out of the backfield when paired with the 234-pound Ferguson...rarely makes any mental mistakes and is very assignment sound...34 career games with 18 starts...will play more of an H-back role in 2008 and could also line up in a tight end position at times...has incredible power in the weight room, earning the team Beefmaster award this past spring for players weighing between 250-274 pounds...put up 540 pounds in the squat, 405 in the bench, 370 in the incline and set a position record with a 384 power clean...five former high school teammates (Sr. LB Zach Arnett, Jr. DB Frankie Baca, Sr. DB Jake Bowe, Jr. DB Clint McPeek and So. LB Greyson Wieczorek) also play for UNM.

2007 (JUNIOR): Played a big part in helping RB Rodney Ferguson earn first team all-MWC honors for the second straight season and also in back-up Paul Baker's surprising MVP performance in the New Mexico Bowl...cleared the way for the Lobo running backs, blocking from a variety of positions in Dave Baldwin's multiple formation offense, and did a nice job in pass protection as well...also had 8 catches for 44 yards (long of 17) and picked up 40 yards on 4 rushing attempts with a long of 33 on his first carry of the season...11 games (5 starts) on the year, but missed games against San Diego State and Air Force with an ankle sprain he suffered at Wyoming in game 6...returned to full action on Nov. 10 vs. Colorado State. `07 HIGHLIGHTS: vs. Nevada (New Mexico Bowl)...Outstanding effort, helping to pave the way for back-up running back Paul Baker's career-high 167 rushing yards...also had a couple of carries himself (2 yards) and didn't allow any sacks...vs. UNLV...Solid afternoon, punishing defenders to help pave the way for the Lobos' 171 rushing yards, including 115 from Rodney Ferguson...vs. Colorado State...Returned to the starting lineup and full offensive duty, firing upfield to help clear the way for Rodney Ferguson's 110-yard rushing day...also had a 3-yard catch...vs. Sacramento State...Helped Rodney Ferguson cruise to 129 yards on 18 carries and was outstanding in pass protection, but also enjoyed the best yardage day of his career...went untouched up the middle for a 33-yard gain on his lone rush and caught 2 passes for 14 yards...at Arizona...2 grabs for 7 yards, but more importantly sealed the edge on a few long Ferguson runs...helped Ferguson rush for a game-high 94 yards against one of the Pac-10's most experienced and talented defenses...vs. New Mexico State...Had key blocks on a pair of long Rodney Ferguson runs and picked up 17 yards on a screen pass reception...at UTEP...Outstanding performance once again against the Miners, helping to clear the way for the Lobos' 193 rushing yards...did not allow a sack or any hits on the QB.

2006 (SOPHOMORE): Quietly enjoyed an outstanding season as a blocking back...started all 13 games, firing upfield to cut down defenders and open holes for the MWC's leading rusher, Rodney Ferguson...also had 32 yards on 14 carries and 8 catches for 53 yards. `06 HIGHLIGHTS: vs. San Diego State...Enjoyed a big blocking day, teaming with The Hitmen to blow open some massive holes to clear the way for Rodney Ferguson's 210 yards rushing...Ferguson had 4 runs of 20+ yards, including a 49-yard TD on a 3rd-and-1 play, and wasn't touched until he reached the secondary on his long gains...at No. 23 BYU...Best yardage game of his career, picking up 27 on 3 catches along with a 5-yard run...had a 10-yard gain on a 3rd-and-5 pass to set up a 1st quarter FG and a career-long 17-yard catch-and-run late in the 4th...also helped clear the way for Rodney Ferguson's 138 yards rushing - the most by an opposing RB against the Cougars all year...vs. TCU...Helped the Lobos pound out 102 rushing yards against the nation's No. 4 rushing defense...had 2 carries for 7 yards and bowled over a defender for a 7-yard gain on a 3rd-and-6 screen pass, setting up Rodney Ferguson's 2-yard TD plunge on the next play...vs. UTEP...Turned in one of his finest games against a veteran Miner defense, helping Rodney Ferguson pound out 162 yards on 34 carries...knocked would-be tacklers off their feet and walled off holes all afternoon as UNM dominated the line of scrimmage...also did a fine job of pass protection and got a couple carries of his own, including a career-long 6-yard gain to end the game.

2005 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Played in 10 games, mostly on special teams, but also lined up in the backfield in six games to block for DonTrell Moore or Adrian Byrd...season-high 16 plays in his collegiate debut vs. UNLV and later in the year at San Diego State.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2004 graduate of Albuquerque La Cueva HS...named 2004 New Mexico Prep Male Athlete of the Year by the Albuquerque Journal...first team all-state fullback for the Class 5A state champs in 2003, rushing for 565 yards and 13 TDs...a three-year starter at fullback...also second team all-state linebacker with 67 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery...the Bears scored more than 600 points and allowed just 55 during a perfect 13-0 season last fall...played for head coach Fred Romero...Louisville Slugger All-American and first team all-state catcher as a junior as the Bears went 29-0 and won the state title...drove in 41 runs as a senior, playing designated hitter, to help La Cueva repeat as 5A champs and extended its winning streak to 58 games...played for former Lobo football manager Stan McKeever...ended his prep career riding a personal 70-game winning streak in football and baseball.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 10, 1985, in Albuquerque...age is 23...full name is Matthew James Quillen...son of Jim and Janice...has two sisters, Tarin (25) and Amanda (20)...majoring in Criminology with a minor in History.

Translate site to spanish