BROOKINGS There are many traditions in South Dakota State football, but there may not be any bigger than the offensive line. Known as the 605 Hogs, the offensive line has been the engine that has run the Jackrabbits offense, springing big plays in the running game and allowing quarterback Mark Gronowski to make even bigger plays in the passing game.
But this season has brought a different challenge. In addition to three new starters on the offensive line, SDSU has had to navigate several injuries over the first five games. The result has not only helped the offensive line galvanize itself, but created a line of depth that has helped the Jacks open the season with a 4-1 record.
It starts with another tradition that was forged over the past two seasons. Dating back to a game at Missouri State on Sept. 24, 2022, the Jacks started the same offensive line of Garret Greenfield, Mason McCormick, Gus Miller, Evan Beerntsen and John OBrian for 27 straight games.
While the continuity helped the Jacks win back-to-back national championships, it also was a rarity for any team to go that long without switching up the offensive line.
Ive been the luckiest guy in America for the past two years, SDSU co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Ryan Olson said of that group. I dont know how many people can say they got to play the same five guys for 27 straight games. Thats a long stretch of playing the same five guys and I might be the only guy in the country that could say we got to do that. We were just blessed.
Turnover eventually came for SDSU. OBrian graduated, Greenfield spent training camp with the Seattle Seahawks and McCormick was a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft who made his first career start for the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend.
Their departures left three holes in the starting lineup and a commanding voice in the locker room. As the two remaining starters, Miller and Beerntsen have taken over those roles while also improving their games to become fixtures across the offensive line.
I think sometimes Mason and Garret brought some of that enforcement for us, Beerntsen said. Gus and I stepping into those new roles, were starting to do that but were making sure were taking those mental reps during practice and really locking in.
Even with a Remington Award winner and a three-year starter on the offensive line, there still was an acclimation period. North Dakota transfer Sam Hagen, Ethan Vibert and Quinten Christensen started SDSUs season opener at Oklahoma State on Aug. 31, but thats when Vibert was injured during the Jacks victory over Incarnate Word on Sept. 7 and Hagen was injured against Augustana the following week.
This is kind of the norm when youre coaching the offensive line, Olson said of the injuries. Stuff happens. People get hurt and its unfortunate. But its part of the game and thats why youve got to recruit and develop and keep guys ready so you dont have to get them ready when the time comes.
Miller, who made a transition from guard to center in 2022, also noted the importance of preparing and knowing all offensive line positions so that players are ready when the opportunity comes.
Just like we have to talk about who our opponent is, everyone is expected to play every position, Miller said. Even if you play left guard, you should know how to play right guard and if you know tackle, you should be able to play tackle and guard. Its kind of a system where its good enough to where people can learn each position and master it as they go.
That preparation opened the door for William Paepke and Marcus Hicks to enter the starting lineup but there was no drop-off in the offensive lines performance.
When Paepke entered the starting lineup against Augustana, the Jacks ran for 233 yards in a 24-3 victory. When Hicks started the following week, SDSU ran for 341 yards and allowed just one sack in a 41-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. While both performances were impressive, it was a signal of the type of growth that Miller has seen throughout the first half of the season.
Ive seen a lot of growth from Will. He talks a lot more, Miller said. He used to be a quiet kid from Rapid City but now he just talks a little more and is doing really good. And Marcus, hes gotten a lot better throughout fall camp and throughout these couple of weeks. Im really proud of him just knowing that when Sam got hurt, he stepped into that role and didnt look back.
The performance of Paepke and Hicks puts a good problem on the Jacks hands. While SDSU is expecting to get Hagen and Vibert back soon, it has also created a competition that has taken the offensive line to another level.
Its exciting because you get these other guys back healthy again and whats fun about it is its not a no-brainer to plug those guys back in, Olson said. These other two guys have been playing really well and we have some competition now. Thats what Im excited about. These guys have now raised their level of play and now theyre going to challenge the guys that went out and theyre going to have to earn their job back.
Its also the type of competition that SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers believes can help his team in the future.
I think any time you can maximize the opportunity thats in front of you to showcase and be able to get into games, it will better prepare you for the future, Rogers said. You just hope during that time theres no drop-off. And I dont feel like theres been any drop-off. I feel like Will and Marcus have done a really good job and its just creating more added depth for the future.
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