Three games into the year, the Bruin offensive line has become a turnstile of injuries.
The unit has had three different starting lineups, with possibly a fourth on Saturday, forcing underclassmen to play on a unit that was inexperienced already.
“(Injuries) are unfortunate,” senior center Micah Reed said. “There’s been guys going down left and right, and somebody’s just got to step up. It’s tough to do, but we got to just keep working at it. I don’t have an answer for it, but somebody just has to step up.”
Reed is one of two linemen who has ever started a game prior to this season but went down with an injured right knee against Brigham Young, leaving the Bruins without their most experienced blocker.
“It was tough,” Reed said. “I wanted to be out there so bad. That’s the first game I missed since I started last year.”
His injury forced redshirt sophomore Jake Dean into the starter’s role. Dean had not seen any playing time before getting into the game at BYU.
“It was good to start (against Arizona), but I would’ve much rather had the “˜W,'” Dean said. “It’s hard losing, and that’s the most important thing. It was fun being out there and playing again.
“I was more nervous the night before, but once they called the offense on the field, I’ve played football for so many years, it’s just another snap.”
Though there were not many positives to take out of last week’s loss to Arizona, the offensive line is encouraged by a running attack that had been absent the first two games. The Bruins averaged 4.1 yards per rush along with seven first downs on the ground.
“I see that as a big positive,” Reed said. “(Establishing the run) was one of our goals last week, and we accomplished that. We didn’t get the win, which is ultimately the main goal, but the fact that we did run the ball, that’s a big deal for us. I’m hoping that this week, we translate that and do it again.”
That was with a starting line that was composed of two sophomores, two juniors and one senior. But this Saturday, the unit may be even younger after junior Micah Kia suffered a back injury against Arizona. He has not returned to the first team yet, and true freshman Jeff Baca would be the one to take his starting spot against Fresno State.
The musical chairs of offensive line have affected the running backs as well. Senior Kahlil Bell, who admittedly does not notice the changing numbers of the linemen blocking for him during the games, sees it as an opportunity for the rest of the team to pick them up.
“I do my job, I don’t worry about anything else,” Bell said. “These guys up front, they’re going to be all right. I know they’re taking a lot of heat right now, but it’s a team effort. It’s not just on one group of guys. We got to do our best to pick them up as well.”