So much for Fresno State's futility in Honolulu.

A career performance by running back Wendell Mathis helped the Bulldogs end their five-game losing streak at Aloha Stadium yesterday.

Mathis ran for a career-best 229 yards on 19 carries and tied a career high with three touchdowns as No. 22 Fresno State overpowered Hawai'i, 27-13, in Western Athletic Conference football.

Before yesterday's game, Fresno State had just one victory in Hawai'i since 1965, going 1-11 during that span.

"We wanted to win this game really bad because of the history we've had with Hawai'i, and what's happened here on the island," Mathis said.

"Every season, we have a goal to be WAC champions," Mathis continued. "We know the road to the WAC championship had to go through Hawai'i."

The Bulldogs (6-1 overall, 4-0 WAC) looked every bit like the top team in the WAC against the Warriors (3-5, 3-3) with Mathis running the ball.

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound senior from Merced, Calif., scored on runs of 3, 3 and 78 yards.

Mathis was clearly the more effective of the Bulldogs' running backs, with Bryson Sumlin gaining 12 yards on five carries.

As Fresno State coach Pat Hill put it, Mathis had the "hot hand."

"He was hitting it; he had the better feel for it," Hill said.

Mathis sealed the game with his third touchdown late in the game.

With the Bulldogs up 20-13 and less than three minutes remaining, Mathis ran through the middle of Hawai'i's defense for a 78-yard score. It was Fresno State's longest run of the season.

"We ran up and smacked him," Hawai'i defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said. "I have to credit him. He ran over us, shook off the last defender."

Fresno State running backs coach John Settle gushed about Mathis' big play.

"We really didn't want to punt the ball with just a touchdown lead," Settle said. "When he ripped that thing off, it was huge, it gave us a two-touchdown lead."

Last season against UH, Mathis ran 23 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs set a school record with 503 rushing yards in a 70-14 victory.

"I wouldn't say there's anything about Hawai'i that brings out the best in me," Mathis said. "It's just coming out here every weekend, doing your job, knowing your assignments and executing."

Mathis yesterday credited his offensive line — tackles Dartangon Shack and Chris Denman, guards Cole Popovich and Ryan Wendell and center Kyle Young — for his standout performance.

"It's very easy to run behind our offensive line, especially when everybody is hitting on all cylinders," Mathis said.

Added Shack: "This year, we're trying to get Wendell 1,000 yards. Bryson already had 1,000 yards last year. It looks like it's working out fine for the both of them."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.