Exclusive Interview
                                                       Anthony Harding

                                  By: Aaron Fischman

 

December 17, 2008 - A Conversation With Anthony Harding

Anthony Harding is a junior running back for the Fresno State Bulldogs. This season he has rushed for 702 yards (bringing his career rushing total to 1,246 yards) and 4 touchdowns. At 6'0", 215 pounds he has been described as a "dependable and durable back" with a "knack for getting tough yards".

This is Harding's second interview with The Deli, having graciously spoken with us last year before the Humanitarian Bowl. We're grateful to have him back for a repeat appearance.

On Saturday the Bulldogs (7-5) will square off against the Colorado State Rams (6-6) in the New Mexico Bowl.

Aaron Fischman: In the second game of the season, the Wisconsin Badgers played your team in a hard-fought battle. Though you were down 10-0 at the half, you guys nearly came out with the victory. What did that game tell you about this year's team?

Anthony Harding: The Wisconsin game was a very tough game for us and unfortunately it ended up [in] a loss. That game taught us about this year's team, that we need to finish our games and to fight for every inch on every play because there were many missed opportunities throughout that game.

AF: Compared to last season you've run for 300 more yards and increased your yards per carry [average] by 1.5 yards. What kind of steps did you take to improve coming into your junior year?

AH: The steps I took this year was just getting bigger and faster for this year. I worked really hard in the offseason and I think that has shown this year. Also, I just prepare myself every game that I'm going to have a great game.

AF: The Bulldogs use a running back-by-committee system with you, Lonyae Miller and Ryan Matthews. Talk about the difference in running style between the three running backs.

AH: Well, my running style is getting the tough yards, running downhill and keeping the defense honest when I go in. Lonyae Miller is the speed back. I really believe when he's running there is nobody in the country [who] can catch him. And he's a tough downhill runner. Ryan Matthews is a pure athlete. He has the ability to make people miss and hits the holes going 1,000 miles per hour.

AF: Of the three primary running backs, what are the differences in personality and overall off-the-field demeanor?

AH: Our personalities are kinda the same. Me and Ryan are more of your shy-type and Lonyae is the most spoken one. But we get along very well and we are all best friends.

AF: In your freshman and sophomore seasons combined, you only rushed for 25 yards against Hawaii. How did it feel to come out against Hawaii and play the best game of your young career (169 all-purpose yards)?

AH: It definitely felt good having a career night against Hawaii. But at the same time, I still have the bitter taste that we ended up losing the game and [had] 6 turnovers. We can't have [that] many turnovers and expect to win.

AF: Senior QB Tom Brandstater has been the only quarterback you've played with at Fresno State. What has he meant to you and this football program?

AH: He has meant a lot to me because he is the leader of the team and has great poise at all times. He is very smart and you can ask him anything when you don't know what to do at times.

AF: How's your brother (and teammate), Will Harding, doing these days?

AH: My brother Will is doing well this year. He had an injury early this year and has fought back to 100 percent. He rotates with our corners and is the nickel back.

AF: You and Lonyae Miller really struggled against Boise State in the final game of the regular season. Do you look at that game tape and try to see what went wrong or just try to forget that the game ever happened?

AH: Well, at first I really did not want to watch the game at all (since it was so one-sided and our offense was out of sync). But I eventually watched the game and basically they just out-executed us. But we know we can play better than that. Which is why we can't wait to play this bowl game.

AF: Last year you played an undefeated Hawaii team that lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. This year you lost to Boise State, a team that is 12-0. How good are they and do they deserve to be in a BCS bowl game?

AH: Boise [State] is definitely a really good team. They play great team football and do not make [many] mistakes. I think they deserve [to go] to a BCS game because no matter who you play, going undefeated is very tough nowadays and they did it.

AF: As you know, Boise State was not selected to the National Championship game. But Florida and Oklahoma were. What team do you think will win that game?

AH: That's going to be a tough game. But I think that Oklahoma is going to win. They have a lot of confidence right now with their offense and they also have a lot of momentum going into the game.

AF: Toward the end of the season, Jamaal Rashad began to get more carries. Do you expect him to get some chances against Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl?

AH: I think he will definitely get some playing time. He is a tough competitor and [he] stepped up when we needed him. Coaches like that.

AF: What should we expect to see in the New Mexico Bowl?

AH: You will expect that this team is going to play with passion, play with their hearts out and finish this season on a high note.

AF: Coach Pat Hill supposedly interviewed for the Washington head-coaching job, but eventually withdrew his name from consideration. How significant has Hill's presence been to the team's success?

AH: He definitely brings success to the program. He is the face of Fresno State football and it would be different imagining someone else here. He has put in a lot of work in his time here and everyone respects that.

AF: Fresno State is 4-1 in its last five bowl appearances. Does that matter?

AH: No, it does not matter at all. All we are worried about is winning the 2008 bowl game against Colorado State.

AF: Who is most deserving of the Heisman Trophy this season?

AH: I really think it could have went to any person. You can argue for each of them, why they should win it. I honestly did not have a favorite to win it because they are all so talented and led their teams to success.

 

 

 

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