North Carolina State University Athletics
Offensive Line Makes Huge Strides
10/27/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
 |
In its first five games this season, the NC State offense was producing an anemic 224 yards per game. But over the last three games, the Pack has averaged 385 yards per contest. What's the difference? It all starts up front, where the offensive line has made dramatic strides since the opener at Texas.
And it's no coincidence that the o-line struggled for awhile after starting center Keegan Weir broke his fibula in week one.
"I really believe the key has been Ryan Knudtson at center," said Pack head coach Mike O'Cain. "He's stepped in and solidified our offensive line situation. I wish we could have made that move a week or two weeks earlier, but he just wasn't ready. That's not a reflection on Derek Green at all. Derek just wasn't ready to step into that situation. Derek is going to be a great player for us, but from a knowledge base, he just wasn't ready."
Green, a redshirt freshman, tried his best to fill the void left by the loss of Weir. When it became obvious that he wasn't quite ready, the coaching staff made the decision to move Knudtson from guard to center prior to the Clemson game on October 9th. Against the Tigers, the Pack rolled up 350 total yards in a 35-31 victory.
Since then, the NC State offense has been on an upswing.
"With our offensive line coming together, they're feeling good about themselves," O'Cain said. "Because of that, we're a little more balanced. Your offensive line allows you do a lot of things. "When you can run the football a little bit, then you can throw the football. A lot of the things we did Saturday (vs. Duke) were off of play-action. Their safeties were coming up to stop the run and we were able to hit some plays over their heads a couple of times. Your offensive line allows you to do all of that."
In its 31-24 overtime victory over the Blue Devils, the Pack rolled up 443 yards of total offense.
Though Weir, a redshirt sophomore, has been cleared to play, he's essentially been relegated to back-up duty because Knudtson is performing so well. NC State's request to get Weir a sixth year of eligibility was denied on Monday.
"Knowing who my center was going to be has helped a lot," said Wolfpack quarterback Jamie Barnette. "They (offensive line) have been giving me time to sit back in the pocket and pick out who I wanted to throw to. And I've done my job by completing the passes."
Not only has Barnette been getting more time to throw, he's had better vision down field because he's feeling less pressure up the middle. The senior has averaged 252 passing yards in his last three contests. Barnette is now just one touchdown pass away from tying the ACC mark for scoring throws in a career. With 56, he trails only former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell.
