Life in the Trenches
The flash of the running back position is absent, the pizzazz of the quarterback isn’t found here and you’d be hard-pressed to find the speed of a wide receiver.
But the success of nearly every play hinges on the execution of the offensive line.
Known as the most unified group on the team, the offensive linemen at Utah State do many things to promote unity together. One of their favorite pastimes, however, is putting all-you-can-eat buffets out of commission.
“We have a thing every Thursday where we go out and try to find an all-you-can eat buffet,” said senior center Ryan Tonnemacher. “We’ve actually shut two places down and they quit doing that because of us.”
The players enjoy many other activities together besides eating. From movies and half-court pick-up basketball games to growing camp beards, this group of lineman uses a myriad of activities to build their team unity.
“As an offensive line we all have to be on the same page all the time,” said sophomore tackle Spencer Johnson. “That means that you have to know the person you’re working with inside and out, so that helps out a lot just doing everything together.”
Fun activities aside, the linemen know the importance they play in the offensive success of the Aggies.
Offensive line coach Vance Vice said he tells his players they’re going to work the hardest on the field, but they’re also going to have the most fun.
Whether opening holes for the backs to run through or allowing the quarterback time to throw, it’s never an easy job – especially when the recognition is sometimes lacking.
“Once you become an offensive linemen you learn that (the lack of recognition) shouldn’t bother you,” Johnson said. “When we see a guy run down the sideline for a touchdown, we know that’s a credit to us.”
Tonnemacher echoed his teammates remarks.
“As a group we pride ourselves on everything we do, how many rushing yards we get or how many negative plays we allow,” he said. “On offense you need 11 guys and on the O-line you need five to work together. You can’t do it by yourself.”
This year the Aggie offense is averaging 308.7 yards a game compared to only 277.9 yards a game last season. The biggest increase has come in the passing game where the Aggies have seen an average increase of nearly 30 yards a game.
“This is the first year we’ve got depth. We’ve actually had 10 guys that have played in all of our games,” Vice said. “We don’t get any of the glory, but we don’t want any of the glory – we run extra for interviews. This is a very good group, the work ethic is tremendous and they bring their hard hat and their lunch pail every day.”
With five games left this season, the offensive line looks to continue to improve. Tonnemacher said he especially wants to make the best of these last five games, as they will be the last of his college career.
“We’re one of the closest groups on the team and we pride ourselves on that,” he said. “We enjoy each other’s company and we’re all brothers, we’re all family.”
About his teammates he said, “When you’re that close you’d do anything for them and you love playing next to them. You know what they’re going to do and you love playing with them and playing for them. It just makes it that much more enjoyable, and I’m going to cherish it.
Vice said unity and togetherness was one of the top keys to success at the position.
“You become a good offensive line in my opinion when you get more excited about the guy’s next to you success than your own,” he said. “You’ve got to be accountable to each other, and unlike defense where you can have one guy that makes every play, it takes 11 on offense to make a play work.”
It will take a team effort for the Aggies this weekend if they wish to knock off Fresno State again in a repeat of the 2006 Homecoming game.
But, with a solid offensive line to lead the way, Vice said the Ags should have a good shot to pick up their second victory of the season.
–t.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu