The offensive line is taking a new look this fall.

The Chippewas will have three new starters along the line, two being offensive tackles.

Senior offensive guard Allen Ollenburger joins redshirt freshman tackle Jake Olson and sophomore tackle Rocky Weaver as the three newcomers.

Despite just two returning starters, the group has garnered the confidence of its peers.

“You always hear, ‘It starts up front.’ And it does for us,” said senior quarterback Dan LeFevour. “If they can block well up front running the ball and give some time to pass the ball, I think we’ll have some success.”

Junior center Colin Miller and junior offensive guard Jeff Maddux are the lone returners to the unit. Maddux is the only player along the line weighing more than 300 pounds.

Coach Butch Jones said he is more concerned with their ability to play in space.

“We still focus on a more athletic player that can play in space with all the screens that we do,” he said. “The outside zone runs, the different type of things that we do, we want to be able to have players that can move a little bit.”

Ollenburger started six games last season for CMU — three at right guard and three at right tackle. He played in all 13 games.

Miller started six games at center last season and three games at guard, showing the versatility he brings to the interior line.

Miller said the group is meshing well, and looks at itself as the pulse of the team.

“The rest of the team is going to follow,” he said. “They look to us when times are hard. They look to the O-line. How are they performing?”

Inexperienced tackles

One of the most documented offseason occurrences was the weight added by both new tackles, Weaver and Olson.

Weaver, a former tight end, bulked up to 272 pounds from his previous weight, just above 250.

Jones said the other tackle, Olson, has the frame to add weight and be around 300 pounds.

Olson gained 10 to 15 pounds since spring ball and now weighs 280 pounds. Jones said the staff stresses the linemen to add weight the proper way.

“We monitor everything they eat,” he said. “We monitor their calorie intake, how many calories they burn, (if they are) getting the proper rest (and) getting the proper nutrition.”

Coaching philosophy

The Chippewas plan to be a more balanced team on offense, Jones said.
CMU ranked second in the Mid-American Conference in passing yards behind Western Michigan, but just eighth in rushing yards.

“You have to be able to run the football,” Jones said. “From the weather elements to controlling the football, to also protecting your defense.”

In passing situations, the team will find creative ways to ease the transition for the two new comers on the edge.

“We do so many protection schemes,” Jones said. “Whether it’s full slide protections where the back has the edge, or locking big on big, or putting the tight ends beside them or chipping as the running backs release.”

E-mail the author: Andrew Stover