Fresno State Athletics
Countdown to Kickoff: 3 Days
8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The sharply honed focus inside Fresno State junior wide receiver Chastin West's eyes and heart takes us into a story where adversity, grit, and pure athletic ability take center stage.
West's goal on a football field is straight-forward and powerful. He wants to win.
"We have a very tough task ahead of us and Rutgers is a very tough team," West said. "Our style of play is the following: hit them hard, hit them all the time, and don't stop hitting them. We are not going to let up for any schools. We play the exact same way for any opponent."
As a freshman in 2006, West burst onto the radar as a big-play wide receiver and kick return specialist. By leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, West pulled in 33 passes for 365 yards to average over 11 yards per catch. He even scored on a Boise State special teams unit with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the blue turf.
However, even with all the personal success of an early breakout year, West recalled the most defining moment of his rookie season by looking to the end of a journey by a soon-to-be NFL running back.
"My most memorable moment of that season was at the Louisiana Tech game when Dwayne Wright (former Bulldog running back and now a member of the Buffalo Bills) scored his last touchdown," West said. "I thought to myself. `That is good stuff.' I am so glad that I blocked for him and got to see him play."
West can turn to Wright as an inspiration to battle unexpected roadblocks along the path of life on a football field. Wright missed almost two years with a knee injury before returning for a memorable senior campaign that led to a fourth-round selection by the Bills in the NFL draft. West returns to the Bulldogs this year after missing the 2007 season from an injury sustained in fall camp.
"I try to focus on one play at a time and one game at a time," West said. "This is what I signed up for. Your life is put on hold for five years."
And during that time, the expectations game has never been greater as it is for this 2008 season, which has the `Dogs ranked No. 25 in the USA Today/Coaches poll, primed to challenge for a league title, and highlighted by high-profile non-conference games with Rutgers, Wisconsin (at home), Toledo, and UCLA. West takes expectations in stride.
"I don't watch the news," West said of the hype. "I don't watch myself that much. I don't read all the news articles."
West earned the first Division I-A scholarship in Moorpark High School's history by serving as a game changing threat on offense (wide-receiver), defense (cornerback), and special teams (kick returner). As a senior, he tallied 497 receiving yards while scoring six touchdowns in a primarily running offense. His achievements led to recruiting by Pac-10 teams, but his heart wanted to stay closer to home.
The proud Californian enjoys hitting the golf links with his dad and making an occasional trip to the mountains to tackle the slopes and river.
"I like to go floating on the Kings River," West said. "I also enjoy any board sports, especially snowboarding."
Coming Tomorrow: Position Outlook - Special Teams
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The first Big Ten team will travel to the Valley on September 13th as the No. 25 `Dogs take on Wisconsin in the home opener at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2. All tickets are on sale now. In the month of August, get your official Wisconsin game day t-shirt at the Bulldog Shop for only $10 with any purchase. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
