Miller leads Bulldogs to first W
September 5, 2009
Game Report Posted: May 18, 2010 08:20
It's opening day for most of college football and the hometown Fresno State Bulldogs are looking to get their first win of the campaign today against FCS West. The Bulldogs first year head coach Enzo Giacomo the former lifting coach at Oregon State gets his first chance to prove that he has what it takes to get Fresno State to the top of the BCS series. When asked about what type of offense he would be running Giacomo said, "Well obviously I have ties to Oregon State so probably something a little like that, however we will be trying to utilize both of our backs." By both backs he of course means the two headed monster of the M&M brothers senior Lonyae Miller and junior Ryan Mathews. When asked if he minded sharing carries Miller replied, "Who doesn't want to be the clear starter but when you have two backs with our type of talent why not try to get both of us on the field and wearing the defense down.
On the opening kickoff Lonyae Miller took it all the way to the house on a 95 yard return which electrified the whole stadium setting a new NCCA record for longest kick return. The Bulldog D came up big forcing a three and out and a punt to pre-season All-American returner A.J. Jefferson On just his second touch and first carry of the game Miller housed it again on a 54 yard off tackle run to the left side. On the first play of the opponents possession Nico Herron recovered a fumble and took it back to the end-zone for a 21-0 early lead. Lonyae Miller made his presence known again taking just two runs to cover the needed 65 yards for his second TD of the day. After another defensive stop Lonyae Miller continued to dominate the game after scoring his 3rd TD this time a 75 yard rush.
After Fresno State went up 35-0 FCS West got on the board on the legs of their halfback after a defensive let-up that coach Enzo was clearly not happy about. When asked about it after the first quarter he said, "I don't care what the score is I'm not gunna be happy when we let up a score you don't take plays off just cause you're up big, you play hard the whole game." The let-up continued on the offensive side after a big Ryan Mathews run the offense went three and out and was forced to punt. The Dog defense let up another TD this time through the air. After that score Giacomo because of frustration threw his clipboard and really lit into his defensive unit for not stepping up their game. With about two minutes left in the 2nd quarter starting Bulldog QB Ryan Colburn left the game after being hit after he threw the ball for a completion; initial reports stated that he only suffered a bruised sternum and would only need to miss the remainder of the game. Lonyae Miller committed his first negative stat of the game when he lost the ball and the defense jumped on it. Enzo's antics with his clipboard must have made an impression on his defense when they bend but didn't break and then freshman defensive end Nat Harrison picked off a pass and took it 58 yards for the score.
When asked if he was happy with his team's performance at halftime when they led 42-14 coach Giacomo replied, "What do you think we fumbled the ball when we could have had an easy score and we let up 14 points and without that interception it would have been 21. We can get away with it this game but if we start this now we're gunna get blown out by Boise."
Back-up QB Ebahn Feathers opened up the scoring again when he hit Ryan Mathews on a 31 yard swing pass. After another defensive stop Lonyae Miller put in another touchdown on his stat when he wouldn't be denied breaking through three defenders for the score. After another three and out and a forced punt A.J. Jefferson finally showed why he was an All-American returner breaking an 82 yard punt return(NCCA record) out of the bag putting his team up 63-14 at the start of the 4th quarter.
Strong saftey came up big for the defense when he took a pick from the 10 yard for a TD when he broke up a screen pass. After some more defense back-up QB Ebahn Feathers hooked up with Lonyae Miller on a 35 yard go route after a fake dive play to Mathews. Just when it looked like the defense was going to give up a TD A.J. Jefferson came up with a big time pick in the end-zone. The first play after the pick who else but star back Lonyae Miller getting the ball and taking it for another score on an 89 yard rush. Timeout the Fresno State Mascot started bowing down to Miller after he reached the end-zone. The 89 yard rush was an NCCA record the third record broken by the Bulldogs on the day.
After the game we caught up to Coach Giacomo and questioned him why he didn't call his Bulldogs off in the 4th quarter when they already had a huge lead. He responded, "Did you see the other team take out there starters?... Hell NO so if they want to try and get some cheap stats and scores I'm not gunna allow that against my team." "Hi Coach, Jason Hollywood from the Fresno Bee, what did you think of Lonyae's big game today?" "Well.. obviously football is a team sport but anytime you can score 7 times in a game and go over 300 yards you're just in the zone...Hopefully it carries on throughout through the rest of the season and we don't see this performance going to his head." "Hey Coach Enzo, Brad Cruise from the Bulldog, what are your thoughts on the QB situation for next weeks game against those Badgers?" "Well Ryan is still our starting quarterback I don't believe you lose your starting job to injury, however we're definitely going to try and get Feathers into the mix as a kind of change of pace guy after his performance today."
