It’s amazing Ryan Mathews was able to average even the impressive 4.3 yards per carry he did as a rookie in 2010, given that he had just 17 runs all season that went for 10 yards or more.

No matter how consistent a running back is, it’s the long runs that build an average.

This season, Mathews’ 5.1-yard average is best in the league among the 18 backs who have more than 170 carries. That is in no small part due to his 31 carries of at least 10 yards, which are tied for fourth-most in the league.

Mathews has a run of longer than 30 yards in three straight games, and his eight rushes longer than 19 yards are tied for seventh-most in the league.

Now the second-year back is working on turning the 30-yarders into 60-yarders.

For more of this story, visit the San Diego Union-Tribune.