Offensive Line Improving
October 06, 2011 10:26 AM | General
Last Saturday, West Virginia’s offensive line took another step toward becoming one of the strengths of this year’s football team.
Against LSU, it was keeping quarterback Geno Smith upright for four quarters and not allowing a sack against one of college football’s top defenses. Against Bowling Green, the O-line paved the way for the Mountaineers to run for 360 yards (the most in three years) and freshman Dustin Garrison to nearly eclipse the 300-yard mark.
What that rushing performance did was sow the seeds of doubt into opposing defenses.
Will West Virginia pass?
Will the Mountaineers run?
A balanced offense?
How long have we been hearing that around here?
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen says offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh deserves a lot of the credit for the unit’s progress.
“Coach Bedenbaugh does a great job with those guys,” said Holgorsen. “Maybe it’s a shock to you all because you don’t know him, but I’ve been with him and around him for a long time, and I understand how much it means to him and how he gets those guys to respond.”
They have certainly responded.
Senior Don Barclay played one of his best games last week against the Falcons. Senior Tyler Rader, a former walk-on, made a terrific hustle play when he alertly pounced on Dustin Garrison’s fumble near the goal line to preserve a drive that eventually led to another touchdown. The reason Rader was in position to make that play was because he was looking for someone else to block.
I can remember Ryan Stanchek doing similar things a few years ago when West Virginia had one of the most explosive offenses in the country – guys never giving up on plays and doing whatever it took to clear a path for their playmakers.
The O-line is not there yet, but the progress is certainly visible, says Holgorsen.
“It means a lot to most of them,” he said. “You look at a guy like Tyler Rader, who’s a walk-on here and is a West Virginia kid. It means as much to him as anybody that’s around. That’s why we made him a captain last week.”
The rest of the guys are improving as well.
“Barclay was, in my opinion, the player of the week, being as solid as you can be and grading out the highest,” said Holgorsen. “He had my vote for player of the week because without a guy like him doing specific things, Dustin wouldn’t have gotten free.
“Joe Madsen continues to be consistent. He gets us targeted and in the right direction. Pat Eger has been a pleasant surprise and continues to play hard,” Holgorsen said.
Can the O-line take another step this weekend against a Connecticut defensive front that got the best of them last year in Storrs?
Stay tuned.
Against LSU, it was keeping quarterback Geno Smith upright for four quarters and not allowing a sack against one of college football’s top defenses. Against Bowling Green, the O-line paved the way for the Mountaineers to run for 360 yards (the most in three years) and freshman Dustin Garrison to nearly eclipse the 300-yard mark.
What that rushing performance did was sow the seeds of doubt into opposing defenses.
Will West Virginia pass?
Will the Mountaineers run?
A balanced offense?
How long have we been hearing that around here?
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen says offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh deserves a lot of the credit for the unit’s progress.
“Coach Bedenbaugh does a great job with those guys,” said Holgorsen. “Maybe it’s a shock to you all because you don’t know him, but I’ve been with him and around him for a long time, and I understand how much it means to him and how he gets those guys to respond.”
They have certainly responded.
Senior Don Barclay played one of his best games last week against the Falcons. Senior Tyler Rader, a former walk-on, made a terrific hustle play when he alertly pounced on Dustin Garrison’s fumble near the goal line to preserve a drive that eventually led to another touchdown. The reason Rader was in position to make that play was because he was looking for someone else to block.
I can remember Ryan Stanchek doing similar things a few years ago when West Virginia had one of the most explosive offenses in the country – guys never giving up on plays and doing whatever it took to clear a path for their playmakers.
The O-line is not there yet, but the progress is certainly visible, says Holgorsen.
“It means a lot to most of them,” he said. “You look at a guy like Tyler Rader, who’s a walk-on here and is a West Virginia kid. It means as much to him as anybody that’s around. That’s why we made him a captain last week.”
The rest of the guys are improving as well.
“Barclay was, in my opinion, the player of the week, being as solid as you can be and grading out the highest,” said Holgorsen. “He had my vote for player of the week because without a guy like him doing specific things, Dustin wouldn’t have gotten free.
“Joe Madsen continues to be consistent. He gets us targeted and in the right direction. Pat Eger has been a pleasant surprise and continues to play hard,” Holgorsen said.
Can the O-line take another step this weekend against a Connecticut defensive front that got the best of them last year in Storrs?
Stay tuned.
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