Career Stats

2006 - 4 receptions for 105 yards, 1 touchdown
2007 - 48 receptions for 694 yards, 5 touchdowns
2008 - 23 receptions for 258 yards, 1 touchdown
totals - 75 receptions for 1,057 yards, 7 touchdowns

Although Marlon Moore began his Fresno State football career in 2006 it wasn’t until 2007 that he became a household name for many Bulldog fans. In 2007 Moore became the number one target for Tom Brandstater and the Fresno State passing offense. Early in the season against Texas A&M Moore showed that he could make tough catches over the middle of the field and he would only get better from that point of the season on. When 2008 rolled around Bulldog fans were excited about Moore’s prospects as a junior. Unfortunately for Moore his junior season never materialized the way many Bulldog fans hoped it would. Moore missed a total of five games due to injury and never recaptured that spark shown in 2007.

Fortunately for Moore he will have a chance to prove that 2007 wasn’t a fluke and that he truly is the type of receiver that can take over a game when given the opportunity to do so. Fresno State has not had the best luck with senior receivers since 2006. Hopefully Moore is able to reverse that trend and prove not only to himself but to all Bulldog fans as well that he is the type of possession receiver the Bulldogs so desperately need. In order to compete with teams such as Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and Boise State the Bulldogs will need to click on offense and pressure the opposing defenses often. As much as the Bulldogs love to use the running game they will need to use the passing game often to help set up the running game. With an inexperienced QB running the show a receiver such as Moore is going to have to step his game up to help with the transition from one QB to the next. If Moore is able to return to his 2007 form the Bulldogs will be in great shape with respect to the offense.

If Moore is healthy in 2009 he will give the Bulldogs one of the fastest receiving threats in the WAC. There are very few who can run down the field with the quickness that Moore can. What that will give the Bulldogs is a deep threat to stretch the field out. However, that will be dependant on the health of Moore. The Bulldogs do not have many receivers that possess the speed that Moore does making him the one true offensive threat Fresno State will need to use in order to break games open.

BB.C Player Prediction

BB.C feels that Moore will contribute at a higher rate than he did in 2008. However, the type of injuries Moore dealt with in 2008 generally do not disappear. Look for Moore to deal with the same problems from time to time although BB.C does not expect him to miss five games as he did this past season.

Chastin West (Senior)

Career Stats

2006 - 33 receptions for 365 yards, 3 touchdowns
2008 - 18 receptions for 214 yards, 1 touchdown
Totals - 51 receptions for 579 yards, 4 touchdowns

As most Bulldog fans know Chastin West missed the entire 2007 season due to an injury to his leg. Most receivers have problems returning from such an injury due to the fact that the leg is so important with respect to the type of play receivers are required to execute. With that being said West had a very good return to football in 2008. While his stats were not phenomenal, West was able to prove that he is the type of possession receiver Fresno State could turn to at nearly any junction in the football game. In 2009 Fresno State will need more production out of West who may be the most physical receiver Fresno State has on its roster.

West began his Bulldog football career in 2006 and may have been the one bright spot with respect to the receivers. Aside Dwayne Wright there was very little that went well for the Bulldogs in 2006, but West was a surprising freshman who did his best to make his mark for the Bulldogs. West would turn out to be as close to a go to receiver as the Bulldogs had in 2006. Heading into 2009 there is little West needs to work on to be a complete receiver. West has the size to be physical, does not fear the middle of the field, has very good hands, and will give the Bulldogs another threat on the receiving end. West may be viewed as the exact opposite type of receiver when compared to Marlon Moore. Moore has a much smaller frame and is much quicker than West is on the field. However, West is the type of receiver you turn to on third downs because he will make that tough catch required to move the chains.

While there are no guarantees in college football one thing is quite certain for Fresno State: If the receivers do not produce the Bulldogs will have another year similar to 2006. Receivers such as West must take their game to the next level in order for the offense to be truly effective. Fresno State heads into the season with a great amount of confidence in its returning receivers. West has the ability to catch at least 40 passes if he can stay healthy throughout the course of the football season.

BB.C Player Prediction