AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 19
Friday, September 19, 2008
O-Line Improving?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Against Boston College, CPJ said his offensive line got whipped by the Eagles’ front.
Against Virginia Tech, the O-Line played better, helping the Jackets run for 278 yards on 50 carries. But there were still plenty of occasions in which the Hokies got great penetration. A couple of times, QB Josh Nesbitt was hit before he could even start carrying out the play. And don’t forget the blocked extra point, which resulted from a breakdown up front.
So how will Andrew Gardner, Cord Howard, Dan Voss, Joseph Gilbert and David Brown handle Mississippi State’s front four?
The Bulldogs aren’t huge up front — except for senior defensive tackle Jessie Bowman (6-1, 305).
He was an absolute monster against Auburn: 8 tackles, 3 1/2 for loss, and a forced fumble. He’s the SEC defensive lineman of the week.
The other tackle is senior Cortez McCraney (6-4, 272). The ends are senior Tim Bailey (6-3, 241) — an Iraq War veteran — and freshman Sean Ferguson (6-4, 225).
Bailey ranks second in the SEC with 4 tackles for loss. Ferguson is only the second true freshman in 22 years to start in his first game at Miss. St.
The Bulldogs lost standout LB Jamar Chaney to a season-ending leg injury, but CPJ says they are probably the best defense Tech will have faced thus far.
This game should tell us if the O-Line, a fairly experienced unit, has made significant progress since Boston College.
What do you think the verdict will be?
