Harding does it all for Fresno St.

Go ahead and admit it.

You won't hurt Anthony Harding's feelings.

He knows you'd rather see Ryan Mathews get the ball or Lonyae Miller try to break loose for a 30-yard run for Fresno State.

And Turlock's Harding is fine with that, even as he enters his senior year still not considered the Bulldogs' primary back.

"It is what it is," Harding said. "I've got to be ready to go at all times, that's my role. I don't need to be the man. I just want to contribute."

For the past three years, Harding has done just that.

Mathews injured again? Bring in Harding.

Miller banged up? Sub in Harding.

Need a more reliable blocker to pick up that backside blitz? Harding, where are you?

"Anthony Harding is a guy you can count on to always get the job done," Miller said. "He's just an all-out hard worker. He's going to take on any task, whether it's fullback and blocking, catching out of the backfield, running the ball, special teams. And he's going to do a good job at it.

"He can adjust to any situation. That's what makes him so valuable."

It's not just versatility that Harding offers. He has been productive and durable.

The 6-foot, 220-pounder actually was the Bulldogs' top rusher and total-yardage leader (outside of quarterback) last season, with 822 yards on 147 carries, along with 123 yards on 14 catches. He also was the only running back to play all 13 games.

Harding played in all 13 games in the 2007 season, too, when again, his backfield mates went down with injuries at some point.

And when Harding was thrown in the mix as a true freshman out of Pitman High in 2006, he still played in all 12 games.

In fact, Harding and safety Moses Harris are the only Bulldogs to have played in every game since 2006.

"I've just been blessed, avoided serious injury and have been able to step up when people have gone down," Harding said. "It's a tough game, Division I football. As a running back, people go after us every play. Injuries are just something that you can't control.

"There is a sense of pride being able to make it through an entire season."

So why aren't Bulldogs fans wearing Harding's No. 22 jersey, instead of Mathews' No. 21 or Miller's No. 1?

"I don't know," Harding said with a big grin followed by a long laugh.

Perhaps it's because, for all that Harding has done, he doesn't really dazzle.

Harding never has hurdled over a defender en route to a touchdown like Mathews. He never has broken loose for a 90-yard scoring strike like Miller. He never has danced his way upfield as former Bulldogs back Clifton Smith did in 2007 or dragged multiple defenders like 2006 featured back Dwayne Wright.

Instead, Harding runs with a simple style — a straight-ahead approach that's been good for an average of 4.85 yards, with a long of 44 yards in his career.

And in 291 career carries, Harding has just two lost fumbles (two others were recovered).

By comparison, Mathews has averaged 5.71 yards, with a long of 67 yards and one fumble in 258 career carries. Miller a 5.58-yard average, with a long of 90 yards and eight fumbles (seven lost) in 306 career carries.

"We'll continue to use all three," coach Pat Hill said. "Our backfield and the depth there is a strength."

The Bulldogs might rely on their backfield even more with formations that feature two running backs in the backfield.

"With two running backs back there," Harding said, "you don't know what we're going to do."

But is this how Harding envisioned his Fresno State career — always part of a backfield committee rather than working into a featured role?

"I wouldn't complain about more playing time," said Harding, again smiling. "But it's great to have fresh legs always in there and bodies that are talented.

"That's when we're at our best, when everyone is fresh and healthy."