TERRE HAUTE —
When you look at Indiana State’s offensive line, the image that comes back at you is the one that most reflects the state of the Sycamores’ 2012 hopes.
The ISU offensive line has perhaps the greatest variance of any unit the Sycamores will put on the field. Much as ISU’s team could be great if all things click, or mediocre if they don’t, the same is true for the line.
On one hand, ISU’s offensive line is chock full of experience. Left guard Justin Wood, center Evan Borchers and right tackle Casey Paswater are all fifth-year seniors.
Paswater has been a starter for most of his career. Borchers has played every position on the line and Wood began to get major playing time in 2011.
They’re joined by sophomore right guard Adam Masters, who started 10 games in 2011, and big sophomore left tackle Paul Patrick (6-7, 300), who started two games in 2011.
“We feel great together. We’ve got three fifth-year seniors on the line. Adam Masters and Paul Patrick started some games. We feel confident,” Paswater said.
Yet ISU coach Trent Miles still needs some convincing that ISU’s offensive line is where it needs to be for Saturday’s opener against Indiana. There is evidence for his concerns.
Chief among them is the status of injured starting center FN Lutz. The senior from West Lafayette was a Preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, but he hasn’t seen the field since suffering ligament damage to his left knee on the last play of ISU’s Blue-White spring game.
While Miles has said Lutz is ahead of schedule in his recovery, no determination has been made as to whether he’ll play this season or sit out as a medical redshirt.
Moreover, nearly every member of ISU’s line suffered an injury at one time or another during the preseason. Most of the injuries weren’t season-threatening, but it was hard for the line to create continuity in the preseason with a revolving door of players missing practice.
“I’ve got concerns because of the fact we have some inexperience up there. Anytime you take a guy like FN Lutz out … he’s one of the best centers in I-AA. He’s got NFL scouts looking at him. Yes, you can replace him with somebody, but no matter who you replace him with, that’s a difficult talent to replace,” Miles said.
Borchers steps into the spotlight to fill Lutz’s shoes. The 6-2, 295 pound Cincinnati native has been a jack of all trades for the Sycamores — he started six games at left tackle and one at right guard in 2010. Borchers sat out the 2011 season due to personal issues.
“All spring everyone thought FN was going to be the cowbell. It’s unfortunate what happened to him, but we all have to step into roles. I feel like the role I have — being the leader up front and having everyone under my control — I know I know what I’m going to do is good and so will the guys around me,” Borchers said.
A big key for the ISU offensive line is whether is can adjust to the kinds of defenses the Sycamores will see to stop standout running back Shakir Bell.
Blocking for Bell is only part of it, the challenge for the line is proving it can protect quarterback Mike Perish, so ISU’s offense isn’t one-dimensional, which will dissuade teams from loading up the box to stop Bell.
“Hopefully, we’ll prove we can block people and protect. People are going to make us throw the ball with Shakir in the backfield. If we don’t, it’s going to be tough,” Miles said.
Despite some personnel changes offensively, Paswater doesn’t expect much to change in the trenches.
“I don’t think our gameplan is going to vary much. We’ve got a great running back in Shakir Bell. We’ve got George Cheeseborough and Richie Dyer. We’ve got a great stable of backs and we’ve got a great quarterback in Mike Perish, so I don’t think much will change,” Paswater said.
Beyond the starting five there’s very little experience on the line. Nick Rice, a redshirt freshman from Greenwood, got a long look during the preseason, as did Terre Haute’s Dakota Vermillion.
College
Related Photos
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On the line: Offensive lineman Adam Masters (64) prepares to clash with the defensive line with teammate Clyde Ignont (63) during team practice Tuesday at Memorial Stadium. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Ready to rumble: Indiana State center Evan Borchers prepares to grapple with the defense after he snapped the ball during team practice Tuesday at Memorial Stadium.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza O line: Indiana State offensive lineman Casey Paswater pushes back teammate Tyler Stafford (95) during the Sycamores' practice Tuesday at Memorial Stadium.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza In the thick of it: Indiana State offensive lineman Adam Masters tangles with teammate Jordan Bright during team practice Tuesday at Memorial Stadium.
Discussion
ISU veterans hoping to help Sycamores win battle in trenches
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Mike Lucas joins ISU football staff
What traits do head football coaches seek out when they hire position coaches?
Indiana State football coach Mike Sanford provided insight into that question as he hired former Southeast Louisiana head coach Mike Lucas to his staff Tuesday. Lucas will be the Sycamores’ defensive line coach.
“You have to look at your staff and see what you need. I felt like in this particular case, I wanted an experienced defensive line coach. I feel like we have a mixture of experience and youth and I want to keep that going,” Sanford said. -
TODD GOLDEN: MVC Tourney can be ISU success story if work is done
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It seemed that Missouri State, Creighton, and most notably, Wichita State, had a monopoly on the season-ending tournament since the Coolidge Administration. (It had actually been since 1998.) How could the tournament make it without playing in one of the three aforementioned universities’ big venues? - COLLEGE REPORT: Wabash College All-American relay team has TH flavor
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Sycamores bow out of MVC Tournament
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Metro Sports: Chalk up No. 5 for Liz Evans
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Four Indiana State athletes advance to NCAA outdoor track and field championships
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Wichita State shuts out ISU to force elimination-game rematch
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
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ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction
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ISU track sending record 22 to postseason
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
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Ort sets ISU RBI record in 16-7 win
Robby Ort celebrated his Indiana State baseball Senior Day on Saturday by becoming the Sycamores’ all-time leader in RBIs as ISU ended its regular season with a 16-7 win over Bradley at Bob Warn Field.
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Bradley ends 16-game MVC losing streak against ISU
Momentum was the only thing riding on Indiana State’s baseball game against Bradley on Friday. With a five-game winning streak going, ISU wanted to keep the good vibes going into next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
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