Smith led the team with 89 receiving yards in last year’s season-opening 42-20 victory at the University of San Diego. He also had 28 return yards. Fischer had 20 return yards to go with 71 receiving yards and a team-high two touchdowns.

Both failed to reach those numbers again though. Fischer finished the season with 285 receiving yards and three scores. Smith had 214 yards and no touchdowns on the year.

They will look to add consistency to burst on their resume this season.

“I put a lot of emphasis on making sure I get every play call correct, run the right route, do all my conversions, and just be in sync with the entire offense,” Fischer said.

While Fischer is faster, “Seitu can bring the boom,” Hempel said.

Smith is listed at 5’10”, but his quarterback said the senior has the physical toughness to run between the tackles.

“He’s completely confident in himself and what he can do on the field,” Hempel said. “He’s not afraid to back down to anybody, no matter what size they are.”

That philosophy holds for teammates as well as opponents. During training camp, Smith was not shy about getting in a defender’s face after a play.

“It’s fair to say that he is just an extremely competitive person,” Murphy said. “He’s a tough guy…and sometimes he lets that get the best of him, but I’ve always said it’s easier to break a stallion than it is to throw a saddle on a donkey and go into battle.”

—Staff writer Jacob D. H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com.Follow him on Twitter @jacobfeldman4.