Matt Bellini
Running Back #8
Ht/Wt
6'
0"
|
175 lbs.
Class
Senior
Hometown
San Leando, 
California
Roster Years
1986-1990


Personal

Parents are Mike and Joy...older brother Mark was an All-America wide receiver at BYU and has played for Indianapolis and Phoenix in the NFL, now with Seattle...is half Italian and half Irish...has a plastic knuckle as a result of a high school car accident...recruited by Washington State, Utah, Hawai'i and Boise State...majoring in sociology.

Before BYU

All-league as a junior running back at San Leandro High...offensive player of the year as a senior...South Counties' Player of the Year...All-Northern California wide receiver...Italian-American Athlete of the Year...All-Bay wide receiver...played linebacker, defensive back, kicker, wingback and wide receiver...had 63 catches for 959 years and 13 TDs...scored 5 TDs in one half of a game...coached by Tom Linda (Humboldt State).

BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 1987

Switched from wide receiver to running back during spring drills...injured a knee in season opener against Pittsburgh and was scoped for partial tears...returned to lineup in game four at New Mexico...caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Sean Covey against San Diego State.

Sophmore Year 1988

Started 11 games...had his knee scoped in early October but played in the next game against Colorado State...was second team All-WAC...honorable mention All-America by AP...had 12 catches for 175 yards against UTEP...had nine catches for 202 yards and a TD against TCU...netted 74 yards rushing at Hawai'i...rushed for 138 yards and a TD at Air Force...rushed for 79 yards and two TDs at Utah and added a 41-yard TD catch from Ty Detmer...had 78 yards rushing in Freedom Bowl against Colorado...BYU's leading scorer with 11 TDs.

Junior Year 1989

Recipient of Robbie Bosco Most Courageous Award...finished runner-up in scoring behind kicker, Jason Chaffetz...selected as Italian All-American by Green, Red and White Magazine...second team All-WAC by the coaches and writers...honorable mention All-America by The Sporting News.

Senior Year 1990

Needs 39 catches to break the school career reception record.

Graduate Year

Redshirt Year 1986

Redshirted.

Medical Redshirt Year 1986



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