Ohio State will turn up heat on USC offensive line
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Trojans' blockers shined in opener against Virginia, a 52-7 win in which the team rushed for 218 yards and Mark Sanchez wasn't sacked. But the No. 5 Buckeyes will provide a much sterner test.
Mark Sanchez had all the time in the world.
When USC's quarterback dropped back to pass in the season opener, Virginia defenders barely touched him. Several times Sanchez stood leisurely in the pocket, double- or triple-pumping before finding receivers.
"It was like we were grilling steaks back there," Sanchez said.
The 52-7 rout over Virginia might have been a picnic, but USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel isn't planning to fire up the Weber or make any homemade barbecue sauce with Ohio State coming to the Coliseum on Saturday.
A sluggish victory over Ohio dropped Ohio State from third to fifth in the polls, but the Buckeyes' experienced front seven was not the issue and presents far different problems than what Virginia offered.
Ruel fully expects the Buckeyes to pressure Sanchez, who passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns in the opener.
"I'm not buying those steaks right now," Ruel joked. "It's got to be something you can microwave."
Trojans linemen, buoyed by their Game 1 performance, say they will be ready for the heat.
The offensive line knows it was USC's biggest question mark entering the season. Senior left guard Jeff Byers was the only returning starter in a group that includes center Kristofer O'Dowd, right guard Zack Heberer, right tackle Butch Lewis and left tackle Charles Brown.
The unit sparkled in the opener, communicating effectively and not allowing a sack against Virginia's 3-4 scheme. Linemen also led the way for a 218-yard rushing effort.
"We knew we were going to come together," Brown said.
Others were less certain.
The performance surprised linebacker Rey Maualuga, one of several USC defenders who dominated the linemen throughout most of training camp.
"I had told [Sanchez], 'Hey, watch out, you know, you're going to get sacked a few times,' " Maualuga said. "They fooled me; they did a great job."
The line is being counted on to do the same against a Buckeyes defense that recorded two sacks against Youngstown State and one against Ohio.
Like USC, Ohio State plays a 4-3 defense. The Buckeyes lost end Vernon Gholston, a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets, but they still feature most of the front seven that helped them reach the Bowl Championship Series title game for the second year in a row.
