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@@@ There was risk at the time, but Fresno State had to <a href=http://www.buycelinebags.com/celine-cabas-bags-38>Celine Cabas Bags</a> find out just how talented its new duo was.Instead of automatically reinserting a pair of seniors back in the starting lineup a year ago, defensive coordinator Nick Toth turned to two new starting middle linebackers.Karl Mickelsen and Kyrie Wilson stood out that much in practice, even if they were fairly inexperienced.And within two games, Toth's gamble paid off. Mickelsen led the team in tackles in the season opener. Wilson tied for a team-high in tackles the following game.By season's end, the duo finished as Fresno State's top two in tackles, with Mickelsen amassing 96 and Wilson 87 (tied with safety Derron Smith).Could a year of experience boost their productivity even more?"Karl and Kyrie, athletically a year ago were our best guys," Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said. "With (former starting inside linebackers) Patrick (Su'a) and Jeremiah (Toma) being banged up, they had an opening and they took advantage of it."This year, having all those reps banked, being able to go through a season and understand and learn from their mistakes ... both understand the fits and so they're playing faster."Mickelsen and Wilson are part of an aggressive defense that returns eight starters, including outside linebackers Donavon Lewis and Ejiro Ederaine.As the "Mike" linebacker, Mickelsen is responsible for making all the calls and helping align the defensive front seven. He'll blitz and drop back in coverage but is primarily used to plug in the holes."He's crazy," Wilson said of Mickelsen. "He's like Tarzan. Just flies in there quickly and makes something happen. He reads the offense and the progressions so fast because he's got a good understanding of this defense. He's always in there to make plays."Wilson's the <a href=http://www.buycelinebags.com/celine-celine-wallets-39>Celine Wallets</a> "Will" linebacker, often asked to drop back in coverage against slot receivers or tight ends, in addition to blitzing and plugging lanes, too."If you're a linebacker in this system, we all get to blitz," Wilson said. "You don't know when they're coming or who's blitzing in. But someone's coming."The duo helped Fresno State rank 41st in the nation in rushing defense last season, allowing 147.3 yards per game. And that average would've been significantly lowered had they not allowed several big plays."We picked up a lot of stuff from starting and playing a lot last year," Mickelsen said. "Every day we're progressing. As you go through this playbook, you pick up a lot of stuff that you didn't know."I just feel way more confident out there. I know Kyrie does, too. The game has slowed down so much."The duo has gotten into better shape, too, in the offseason.The 6-foot, 235-pound Mickelsen gained just five pounds from a year ago but looked more cut. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound Wilson had similar results, gaining three pounds but also looking leaner."There's always room to get better," Mickelsen said. "That's all we want to do this year -- be better <a href=http://www.buycelinebags.com/celine-clasp-bags-40>Celine Clasp Bags</a> than what we were before."

The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6362,  or @Banteola_TheBee on Twitter.