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University of Minnesota Athletics
The Knockdown Kids
10/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
When the Gophers offensive linemen walk into their meeting room they are greeted by a little extra motivation-the Minnesota Offensive Line Knock Down Cup.
"It has its own chair in our meeting room," offensive line coach Bart Miller said. "Those guys see it every day and it's a point of pride."
The trophy was introduced to the guys up front by Miller. The player at the end of the year with the most knockdowns will have his name engraved onto the trophy. Each week the players have their knockdowns tallied. They are each given goals before a game such as a knockdown per play or finishing a game with double-digit knockdowns.
"It's a way for us to add competition to being physical on the field and in practice," Miller explained.
The trophy is just one of the things Miller has brought to the group in his mission to give them a new identity. Everything changed for the group when he was brought onto the coaching staff in January.
"It is a lot of mental stuff with Coach Miller," sophomore offensive lineman Jared Weyler said. "Knowing you are the nastiness guy on the field and just knowing you are the most physical. Having that goal in mind of putting a guy on his back each and every play."
The results are paying off. The Gophers offensive line has quietly put up some of the best statistics in the country.
They have allowed only five sacks this year, which is first in the Big Ten and ranks eighth in the nation. Even the sacks they have allowed have not been hurtful, as they have totaled 17 yards (lowest in B1G and third fewest in nation).
"Every single week on Friday before the game we get a tips and reminders sheet. Every week one of those bullets is no sacks and no hits," Weyler said. "We take a lot of pride in protecting Mitch (Leidner) and that is a huge goal for us."
They have also blocked for one of the most explosive running back tandems in the country. Rodney Smith has 701 rush yards with eight touchdowns. Shannon Brooks has scored a touchdown in each of his five games played this season and has 413 rush yards. As a team the Gophers are fourth in the Big Ten averaging 212 yards rushing per game.
Even more impressive is the fact that all this success is coming from a group that does not have much experience playing together or in this system. Against Rutgers, the offensive line had three starters who were all playing in junior college last season (left tackle Donnell Greene, right guard Vincent Calhoun and right tackle Garrison Wright) and only had one player who started on the Gophers line last season in center Tyler Moore.
Greene was a late arrival at the start of camp. Miller noted how far he has come in a short period of time. He had to step into a starting role after senior leader Jonah Pirsig went down to injury against Iowa. Miller also recognized Chad Fahning as a guy who has helped out at the tackle position. While they have done a good job stepping up without Pirsig, there is no doubt they are excited to get him back soon.
"He's the guy who was averaging double digit knockdowns every game," Miller said. "I think getting him back will be a huge step for us and it will give some other guys a chance to get healthy. Hopefully we will hit our stride towards the meat of our schedule."
One reason the line has stayed stable is Weyler. He began the year as a backup but has now started the last five games at either right or left guard and may be the biggest surprise of the season for the Maroon and Gold. He prides himself as being a swing man on the offensive line with his ability to play any of the three interior positions
"He has played his tail off and has done a really nice job establishing himself as one of the best offensive lineman on this team and arguably in the Big Ten," Miller said.
The Gophers offensive line group is a gritty bunch. Their success has come quietly but they don't mind. They just love going to battle week after week.
"I think you are seeing the results of their hard work. They're a tough group that fights and gives us a chance to win," Miller said. "They have turned this unit from a weakness to one of the strengths. That's what I'm most proud of."
