Fort Collins – The hitting and the heat could dampen any preseason optimism 1 1/2 weeks into practice. It’s not an option for Colorado State’s offensive line unless the Rams need a glance in the rearview mirror.
Never mind a healthy Kyle Bell running in vintage form. The offensive line still has to open a few cracks for the running back who missed the 2006 season because of knee surgery. In his absence and the lack of cohesion on the offensive line, CSU ranked 113th of 119 Division I-A teams in rushing.
Except for pass-happy Texas Tech, no school in the bottom 10 of the NCAA rushing statistics had a winning record.
“We’re trying to move on,” CSU offensive line coach Darrell Funk said Saturday. “Guys are working hard. We’re not going to worry about what could have been. Last year happened. It was what it was. We had six different linemen down, we had a great back down.”
Despite losing two seniors, both in NFL camps, and having just one senior, center Nick Allotta, on the entire line, Funk has ample reason for optimism. While it could be a sophomore-dominated front line, there is intense competition. Some tweaks to the offensive scheme have been welcomed and the mostly veteran defensive line forces the offensive line to improve.
Only Allotta and sophomore tackle Cole Pemberton of Highlands Ranch’s Mountain Vista High School are close to claiming starting jobs. Pemberton wouldn’t go that far, although Funk said, “Pemberton has been pretty solid since the start of camp.”
It will only get more competitive this week, at least at guard, with the anticipated return of part-time starter Adrian Martinez, who had knee surgery in the spring.
Of the other three guards, Shelley Smith, Scott Benedict and Tim Walter, Funk said: “One stands out one day, the next day it’s another.”
Redshirt junior Marvin Arnold is pushing Pemberton at one tackle, and Dane Stratton is battling redshirt freshman Brian Lepak at the other. Lepak has been hindered by a toe injury.
The Rams emphasized the run in a scrimmage Saturday. Or as quarterback Caleb Hanie said: “We’re not giving up on it just because it might look bad on a few plays. It’s good to see where we’re headed. We’re not where we need to be yet, but we’re on the right track.”
Funk said an evaluation of the scrimmage could go a long way in shaping the depth chart this week.
Allotta, who started 11 games at center and both guard positions, said: “I do see improvement from last year….Our defense does things that will make the O-line so much better. When we actually get to game time, we’ll be prepared for everything we see.
“It’s coming together pretty good,” Hanie said. “They made great improvement in the last week and a half, and I expect a lot more this week.”
At least there’s progress.
“I’m excited about what we’re going to be,” Funk said. “We’re not there yet.”
Footnotes
Redshirt freshman fullback Zac Pauga, originally a linebacker out of Lakewood, caught a TD pass from Hanie in one of the offensive highlights. The defense dominated at the start, and place-kicker Jason Smith had a busy day when the offense couldn’t complete drives. …DE Bob Vomhof will miss at least two weeks because of arthroscopic knee surgery. … Safety Zac Bryson had the big defensive play with an interception. … CSU takes today off, then returns Monday for two-a-days.
