Five men, one mission, two words: total domination.
That’s the motto Ohio offensive line coach Keven Lightner has carried with him since he began coaching, and it’s the mentality he wants to instill within each of his players.
It’s also a phrase that each of his lineman embrace, as they strive to make contact and push defenders around.
“I think it’s a mentality all offensive lineman really have,” redshirt senior Jon Lechner said. “Be physical and be the best. We’re not going to be beat. That’s how we like to play, with a chip on our shoulder.”
But Ohio’s offensive line has been plagued by the injury bug this season and has sometimes struggled to find those five men in order to dominate.
The Bobcats lost starters Sam Johnson and Lechner to injuries during the season-opening game against Louisville and have started a different combination of players up front each week this season.
“It’s just trying to find the best, healthy five guys that can go,” Lightner said. “It’s been difficult, but the guys have handled it well and have been able to play well.”
Redshirt senior John Prior, who has often been the only healthy, experienced starter, said stepping into a leadership role was his biggest challenge this season.
“The toughest part was being that guy who had to voice stuff out, because I haven’t been that guy in the past,” Prior said. “It was something that I wanted to work toward this year anyway, so I embraced it and took it on.”
Part of the reason Ohio has been able to piece together a healthy combination of five lineman has been the versatility of players switching positions around the offensive line.
Redshirt sophomores Mike McQueen and Mike Lucas have moved all around with the five positions, with Lucas moving around from center to both the guard positions and McQueen occupying offensive tackle and guard on both the left and right sides of the line.
“The reason why we’re just now starting to come together is because of the guys who are willing to step in at multiple positions when guys get hurt,” redshirt senior Ryan McGrath said. “We have guys playing guard one play, then the next play at center.”
Lucas said every player on Ohio’s offensive line has no issue to move where they’re needed.
“All of us have a team-first mentality,” Lucas said. “And all of us feel that we could play multiple spots. Knowing all the guys in the o-line room, everyone thinks they can play everywhere. I think I can play receiver. If you’re on the field, you’re on the field and you’ve got to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
Adjusting to those positions is another beast entirely, McQueen said.
Playing tackle means you have to deal with quicker pass rushers, while the guard position requires a player to have to push around a bigger defensive tackle, he said.
“It changes everything when you’re dealing with the quicker guys on the outside,” McQueen said. “On the inside, the bigger guys are a little bit more bull-rushers, and there’s a little more strength involved, so it’s a little bit of a different perspective.”
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