Virginia running backs Wali Lundi and Alvin Pearman both rank in the ACC top-10 in rushing yards. Quarterback Marques Hagans ranks second in the ACC in passing yards and Virginia's offense is ranked No. 1 overall in the conference. What do these achievements have in common? None of them would be possible without the stellar play of Virginia's offensive line.
The offensive line of a football team is tasked with protecting the quarterback, thereby giving him enough time to complete his passes to open receivers, and opening up holes and creases for the running back to exploit on his way downfield. The cohesion of the offensive line is critical to the success of a team's offensive game plan. Luckily for Virginia, the Cavaliers' offensive line one of the most accomplished in the entire nation.
Starting lineman Brian Barthelmes, one of the key cogs on the offensive line, said he sees strong cohesion on the Cavaliers' line.
"We're different guys, but we hang out a lot," Barthelmes said. "When we're out there [on the field], you know you can rely on the guy next to you to make the block. We're confident that everyone out there is going to play hard and know what they're doing."
Virginia's offensive linemen are extremely familiar with each other's tendencies. There was little turnover on the line between the 2003 and 2004 seasons. All Virginia starting linemen are either juniors or seniors, and they have now spent several seasons learning Virginia coach Al Groh's system together.
"There's a good bond and a good unity about this line," Groh said.
The resurgence of the Cavaliers' diverse rushing attack is one of the main reasons that Virginia is still alive in the ACC title race. The duo of Lundi and Pearman has dominated opposing defenses, with the sole exception of the Florida State Seminoles. Groh said he has been happy with the production and execution of his offensive line.
"They've done a real good job for us," Groh said. "We've been able to use quite a few different schemes, and they executed all of them well."
Arguably, the best-known player on the line is senior guard Elton Brown. Brown is one of 12 semi-finalists for the national 2004 Lombardi Award. On Monday, Brown was selected as the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his role in the offensive line's devastation of the Duke defensive front. The Cavaliers accumulated 348 rushing yards against the Blue Devils.
To have a shot at the ACC title, the Cavaliers will most likely have to go undefeated for the rest of the season. Virginia's running game will be critical as the Cavaliers fight for a conference championship.
"Our main goal is that, when we go on the road in November in tougher games, to be able to run the ball," junior tackle Brad Butler said.
Barthelmes said he relishes the fact that Virginia is known for its rushing prowess.
"I'd like to say this is a smash mouth team," he said.
Virginia will likely have to maintain its "smash mouth" style of play in order to defeat late season opponents such as Miami. Continued excellence on the offensive line could be a key element to a late season winning streak and a potential BCS bowl game.
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