College Football: Hall enshrines WSU's Rueben Mayes

Ex-running back Mayes is among 21 in Hall class: Rueben Mayes, a running back at Washington State from 1982 to 1985, was among 21 former players or coaches enshrined Saturday in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.

Mayes rushed for 3,519 yards, averaging 5.53 per carry, as the Cougars went 20-23-1.

"The big numbers by guys from schools that don't do well team-wise seem to get overlooked," said Jim Walden, who coached WSU from 1978 through 1986. "That makes it even a greater honor. What he did, with whom he did it and who he did it against, is phenomenal."

Mayes' selection to the Hall was announced in May 2008.

Of joining the Hall, Mayes said, "It sends a message that anyone, if you have some athletic ability and you work really hard, you can go to a place where they coach you up, a great academic institution, and you can do great things.

"WSU is one of those places. It's not a big powerhouse like Nebraska or Ohio State ... but it's great that I can represent WSU in this way and give it some recognition."