#1 Lonyae Miller (Senior)
Career Stats
2006 – 54 attempts for 287 yards and 2 TD’s
2007 – 132 attempts for 609 yards and 7 TD’s
2008 – 120 attempts for 812 yards and 7 TD’s
Totals - 306 attempts for 1,708 yards and 16 TD’s
In 2006 Miller began his career as a true freshman, something many Bulldogs are not given the opportunity to experience. However, Miller was ahead of the curve as he was as physically ready as any freshman in the nation to step on the field and contribute. As a freshman Miller averaged over 5 yards per carry. Not only was Miller quick to find the gaps in the defensive line but he also had the innate ability to run through defenders as well. Miller’s freshman season was a precursor to what Bulldog fans would see in the following two years. Over his sophomore and junior seasons Miller rushed for 1421 yards on 252 carries, an average of 5.6 yards per carry. During that same period Miller also found the end zone 14 times (a number that could have been much higher had Miller done a better job of holding on to the football inside of the red zone). So the question is what does this mean for 2009?
In 2009 Miller will once again share the running back role with Ryan Mathews, Anthony Harding, and Jamaal Rashad. Red-shirt freshmen Michael Harris and A.J. Ellis will also be part of a crowded backfield (which possibly could include true freshman Robbie Rouse as well). While the backfield does seem overly crowded the fact remains that Miller is one of the stronger running backs for this football team. At the same time Miller is the fastest running back on the team once he is out in the open field. There are few if any defensive backs and corners that can catch Miller once he blows past the defensive line, something we were able to witness in both the Hawaii and Idaho games in 2008. Unfortunately Miller has dealt with the problem of putting the ball on the ground far more often than head coach Pat Hill would like to see. In 2007 Miller fumbled twice against Kansas State inside of the 5 yard line. In 2008 Miller fumbled often, with one of the more memorable fumbles coming against Hawaii right after the Bulldogs had finally found a way to take the momentum away from the Warriors.
In order for 2009 to be a success Miller must stay away from two problems that he has dealt with in the past: 1) Untimely fumbling of the football and 2) Injuries. Whether Miller improves on fumbling the football remains to be seen. Miller has been an asset to this football team and more often than not has fought through injuries to play nearly every single game during his three year career. Fresno State must be able to turn to Miller as the grind of a tough non-conference schedule once again is a reality for Fresno State. In the first four weeks of the season Fresno State will play @ Wisconsin, at home against Boise State, and @ Cincinnati. The Bulldogs must be able to turn to Miller to take pressure off of their QB (Carr, Colburn, or Feathers). Regardless of who the Bulldogs choose to play QB he will have little game-time experience meaning the Bulldogs will count on their running game early in the season to put their QB in manageable game situations. In 2008 Boise State was able to put their QB Kellen Moore in manageable situations through the use of their running game (although it was a down season for the Broncos running game). Fresno State must be able to execute in the same way in order for 2009 to be a success. Fortunately the Bulldogs have a stable of tough running backs that can provide this type of support for their QB and the offense. Lonyae Miller may be one of the stronger running backs on this team. This will be Miller’s senior season meaning he will have one final chance to prove himself before the NFL draft in 2010.
BB.C Player Prediction BB.C believes Miller will finally solve his ball carrying problems and provide Fresno State with a strong running back to give the ball to at any time throughout the course of the football season.
#2 Seyi Ajirotutu (Senior)
Career Stats
2006 - 4 receptions for 34 yards and no TD’s
2007 - 29 receptions for 491 yards and no TD’s
2008 - 47 receptions for 795 yards and 5 TD’s
Totals - 80 receptions for 1,320 yards and 5 TD’s
Seyi Ajirotutu sat out 2005 as a red-shirt freshman. In 2006 Ajirotutu made his first appearance as a Bulldog wide receiver. As was the case with most receivers in 2006 Ajirotutu contributed very little as he totaled 34 yards receiving. However, Ajirotutu was not to blame for this lack of production as the Bulldog offense as a whole suffered due to a poor offensive scheme (coordinator problem) and a lack of confidence that was seen throughout the entire offense aside the running game led by Dwayne Wright. In 2007 Ajirotutu for the fist time became a major player in the Bulldogs offense. Ajirotutu was able to reel in 29 receptions showing glimpses of what he was capable of in the Bulldogs offense. Unfortunately Ajirotutu seemed plagued when it came to scoring touchdowns. Time and time again he would catch a pass inside of the ten only to fall down or end up out of bounds just short of the end zone. In 2008 that streak was finally broken as Ajirotutu found the end zone five times.
Ajirotutu has the size to be a dominant wide receiver on the outside of the field. At 6-3 Ajirotutu has the ability to get higher than most defensive backs on balls thrown his way. At the same time Ajirotutu is not afraid of going over the middle to catch the football. However, this is where Seyi’s problems begin. Throughout 2008 Ajirotutu suffered one dropped ball after another. In order for 2009 to be a success Ajirotutu will have to forget about the problems he had in 2008. Seyi is not the fastest of receivers but was continually left alone throughout the 2008 season. Seyi will have to find a way to make the defenses pay if they leave him open over the middle of the field as they so commonly did in 2008. This is where Ajirotutu must make his biggest improvements. Obviously receivers are going to drop passes as it comes with the territory. However, good receivers find a way to catch nearly everything thrown their way. Ajirotutu has the ability to be a very good receiver in the Bulldogs offense, but he has to have to have the determination and drive to become better this off-season.
BB.C Player Prediction Seyi will improve his pass catching ability to the point that he becomes a serviceable target for the Fresno State passing game. BB.C does not see Ajirotutu becoming the difference maker we had hoped him to be prior to his junior season.
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