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Career of Boise State WR Matt Miller likely over due to ankle injury
The career of one of the best wide receivers in Boise State history could come to a premature end.
Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin said Sunday that fifth-year senior Matt Miller – the program’s all-time leader in receptions – could miss the remainder of the season after he underwent surgery Monday to fix a ligament in his ankle. The injury occurred when Miller made a catch during the second quarter of BSU’s loss at Air Force on September 27.
According to the Idaho Statesman, making the decision to have the surgery was not easy, but doctors did not expect his ankle to heal to the point where he would be able to return at any point this season.
“Unless he’s an incredible healer, he’ll be out the rest of the season,” Harsin said. “He’s going to move on and play football again (as a pro). It was hard. I said, ‘Just do it.’ I said, ‘Get it done, because you’re going to have a chance to play again.’
“He wants to play. He wants to play with his teammates, but it’s not going to happen. He’s not going to be in good enough shape.”
In addition to his record-setting reception total (244), Miller came just 15 yards short of breaking Titus Young’s record for career receiving yards. Miller finished with 3,049 yards, while Young gained 3,063 yards during his time at Boise from 2007 to 2010.
Additionally, Miller, a team captain, is third in program history with 29 touchdown receptions.
After redshirting in 2010, Miller caught 62 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, 66 passes for 769 yards and five touchdowns in 2012 and 88 passes for 1,140 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2013.
In five games in 2014, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Miller caught 28 passes for 461 yards and three touchdowns.
Broncos offensive coordinator Mike Sanford said the injury lingered throughout the season.
"Matt Miller is one of the toughest human beings I've ever been around in this game," Sanford said. "This whole year, including spring ball, including fall camp and including the first five games he was in for – he would never say anything about it, but I think he was playing well below 100 percent in terms of being healthy. When they had a chance to really go in and look at everything after he did sustain his lower-leg injury, it was a pretty significant injury.”
Harsin said Miller hopes to rehab the ankle with the goal of being healthy for the NFL Scouting Combine in February and the school’s pro day in March. Harsin thinks Miller has a great shot to succeed in the pros.
“He’s a guy who can play at that level and he’s proven that, and he needs to get himself prepared for that,” Harsin said.
In Miller’s absence, sophomore Thomas Sperbeck will start at the “X” receiver spot. The 4-2 Broncos host Fresno State at home Friday night.
For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
