09/02/10- Matagisila Lefiti, Jr, Hawaii, 6-0, 280 Center Matagisila Lefiti will miss the first three games because of foot surgery. Brett Leonard was expected to replace him, but he'll miss three games with a knee injury. That leaves Bronson Tiwanak as the starter. The other offensive line starters are left tackle Austin Hansen, right guard Adrian Thomas, left guard Brysen Ginlack and right tackle Laupepa Letuli.
09/02/10- Cameron Zipp, rSr, Southern Miss, 6-1, 282 Golden Eagles center Cameron Zipp, the only returning starter, told the Hattiesburg American that this group isn't as close as last season's line was. Zipp is the one lineman that hasn't caused concern. "He's been a leader the entire summer and through camp,"? head coach Larry Fedora told the Hattiesburg American. "He's been in the battles and he knows what it's going to be like. He's done a good job communicating to those guys and making them understand what it takes." It will take a strong performance from the offensive line if lightly used running backs V.J. Floyd and Tracey Lampley are going to find a rhythm.
09/02/10- Matt Smith, rSo, Kentucky, 6-4, 290 Junior Joe Murphy will start at offensive right tackle ahead of senior Brad Durham after Murphy lost the left tackle competition to junior Chandler Burden. The Wildcats want their top two tackles on the field. Also, sophomore center Matt Smith held off junior Jake Lanefski in a tightly contested fall camp competition. Kentucky has four new starters on the offensive line.
09/02/10- David Molk, rJr, Michigan, 6-2, 276 PLAYERS TO WATCH: C David Molk - The two-year junior starter has earned a place on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which honors the nation's top collegiate center. Molk missed the final eight games of 2009 with an injury, but is healthy and expected to anchor the most veteran unit on the team.
09/02/10- Dillon Farrell, rFr, New Mexico, 6-4, 276 Dillon Farrell is used to being the new guy. He was the lone true freshman offensive lineman to travel with the New Mexico football team in 2009. Farrell still is the new guy in 2010 -- only with a lot more responsibility. Now a redshirt freshman, Farrell will make his first college start at center when the Lobos travel to play nationally ranked Oregon on Saturday. Farrell takes over for departed center Erik Cook, who is now with the Washington Redskins. Cook was one of the few bright spots on the line last season, not only with his play but with his ability to call the correct blocking schemes. Farrell, who is surrounded by four seniors on the line, is the player responsible for getting the unit the proper blocking scheme. He's anxious about his first collegiate start at hostile Autzen Stadium. "Definitely, there's butterflies," Farrell said. "When you're in practice and you're watching film and concentrating on being with the team, you focus on learning the plays and what to call. But whenever you have alone time and you're in your room sitting there thinking about it, it kind of gets to you a little bit. But it's a good nervous energy." Farrell's focus in practice has been just fine. After a few early sessions of inconsistency in the center-quarterback exchange, he has bloomed into a key cog of a unit that has been the surprise of UNM's preseason.
09/01/10- Dan Wenger, rSr, Notre Dame, 6-4, 297 Junior Braxston Cave is listed as the starting center, ahead of senior Dan Wenger, but Kelly said that is "still a competitive situation."
09/01/10- Tyler McDermott, rJr, Colorado State, 6-2, 274 How Colorado State's young offensive line comes together early in the season will be very important. "I like the talent level," CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. "You go down there in that room and there are good players; they're just young right now." Fairchild pointed out that three of his linemen have had game experience. At center, junior Tyler McDermott will start but freshman Weston Richburg will rotate in.
09/01/10- Weston Richburg, rFr, Colorado State, 6-4, 278 Backup C Weston Richburg, who will be making his college debut, is expected to rotate in for a few series off the bench.
09/01/10- Sean Bedford, rSr, Georgia Tech, 6-1, 280 No player epitomizes the Tech ideal better than senior C Sean Bedford, a first-team All-ACC pick last season who's majoring in aerospace engineering. Bedford is studying how to design jets for anti-submarine warfare, among other things. He started his career as a walk-on, played on the scout team defense for two years, and earned a scholarship through his work ethic.
09/01/10- Chris Burnette, rFr, Georgia, 6-2, 290 C Chris Burnette will miss the Louisiana-Lafayette game with a concussion.
09/01/10- Stefen Wisniewski, Sr, Penn State, 6-3, 298 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: It's difficult to surmise what sort of attack Penn State will use this season when it isn't yet known who will lead the attack. Kevin Newsome, Matt McGloin and Robert Bolden have shared first-team practice repetitions at quarterback all summer and the battle could extend all the way to the start of conference play. Veteran guard Stefen Wisniewski must take charge of a reshuffled offensive line that hasn't played much together but should be able to clear enough space for tailbacks Evan Royster and Stephfon Green to get their share of yards.
09/01/10- Mike Pouncey, Sr, Florida, 6-5, 312 PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Mike Pouncey is the senior leader of UF's revamped offensive line. If Florida is to establish the run early, it will need Pouncey to lead the push. Pouncey also should provide excellent pass protection, keeping first-year starting quarterback John Brantley comfortable in the pocket.
09/01/10- Mike Pouncey, Sr, Florida, 6-5, 312 Florida senior center Mike Pouncey said there is no longer a division between the upperclassmen and the freshmen on the team. Earlier in camp, heralded true freshmen defensive linemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley walked out in the middle of practice for undisclosed reasons. Rumors surfaced that both Powell and Easley were transferring, but both were at practice the following day. "They responded like men," said Pouncey, who questioned the work ethic of the freshman class earlier in camp. "I wasn't calling them out to separate this team because all of them are great players." Pouncey has been named to the watch list of the Rimington Trophy (top college football center) and Lombardi Award (top college football lineman).
09/01/10- Clell Hasenbank, Sr, Idaho, 6-1, 290 THIS WEEK'S GAME: North Dakota at Idaho, Sept. 2 - Idaho is opening the season at home for the first time since 1998. The Thursday night game also is Idaho's first non-Saturday game since the 1960 season. The Vandals lost their past two home games and haven't won in the Kibbie Dome since Halloween of 2009. The game against the Fighting Sioux is Idaho's first against a Football Championship Subdivision team since the 2008 campaign. KEYS TO THE GAME: Idaho has to prove it can protect the quarterback and open holes in the run game. With four new starters on the offensive line, that's the biggest question against North Dakota, and quite frankly, for the whole season. Defensively, the Vandals need to put more pressure on quarterbacks than they did a year ago. Expect defensive coordinator Mark Criner to unleash a game plan that will try to get that done against the Fighting Sioux. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Clell Hasenbank - The senior makes his debut in the middle of Idaho's rebuilt offensive front. How the 6-foot, 287-pounder plays is critical to how efficient Idaho's offense operates.
09/01/10- Zane Taylor, rSr, Utah, 6-2, 300 QUOTE TO NOTE: "People know it is our last time in the MWC and I know if I was one of the teams, I'd be gunning for us, too. It could be the last time a lot of teams play us for a long time. I know last year was the last time I was going to play against Utah State and I really wanted to put the hurt on those guys. So I am sure some of these guys feel the same way: 'Last time for Utah, so let's put it all on the line.'" - Utah center Zane Taylor.
09/01/10- Jordan Sessa, rSo, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 280 Florida Atlantic has reason to feel good about its offensive capabilities this season. After all, the Owls boast the reigning Sun Belt rushing leader in Alfred Morris, as well as an apparently capable quarterback in Jeff Van Camp, a promising prospect at tight end and a wide receiving corps headlined by a senior Lester Jean with a couple of young pups barking for reps themselves behind Jean on the depth chart. Here's the problem, though. All that talent at the skill positions doesn't matter much if there isn't a good snap. And whomever makes the first snap of the season for the Owls will be doing so having never played center at the collegiate level. A pair of redshirt freshmen, Jimmie Colley and Mike Nweze, currently are battling to start at center for Florida Atlantic. Colley missed most of preseason practice with a knee injury. That's better than Jordan Sessa fared in August. Sessa was penciled in to start for the Owls at center after an impressive showing at spring practice, but he hurt his knee and won't play this season. The uncertainty at center compounds the questions that already surrounded Florida Atlantic's offensive front. The Owls lost all five starters from the 2009 team - the guys that cleared the way for Morris to lead the conference in rushing.
09/01/10- Colin Miller, rSr, Central Michigan, 6-3, 295 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Chippewas will look more like a traditional offense this season, with more emphasis on the running backs and tight ends. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Radcliff was named the starting quarterback. The Chippewas won't be as explosive as years past, instead taking yards in small clumps and eating time off the clock. The Chippewas have the luxury of an experienced offensive line, led by senior center Colin Miller and senior guard Jeff Maddux.
09/01/10- Colin Miller, rSr, Central Michigan, 6-3, 295 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Center Colin Miller - His experience is essential for a new coaching staff and quarterback. Miller headlines a solid offensive line and his experience can help the offense.
09/01/10- Colin Baxter, rSr, Arizona, 6-3, 295 Arizona senior center Colin Baxter has a little problem. There’s nothing wrong with his health or his reputation. He’s ready to go for Friday’s opener at Toledo, and he has picked up all manner of preseason All-American honors, including recent second-team honors from Rivals.com and third-team honors from CBS Sports.com. He’s a team captain. He’s probably the “nastiest” of the offensive linemen, according to quarterback Nick Foles. Here’s the thing: He’s listed at 6-4 and 295 pounds … but he might not really be that tall … and that could be the problem. Not for this season at Arizona, but his future beyond it in the NFL. He and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh admit that. "Everybody looks at that,” Bedenbaugh said of height. “Colin is right at 6-3. He does a heck of a job for us, but, obviously, if you get a guy as talented as him, you’d like him as tall and as big as could be.” So, Baxter still has a lot to prove. Not so much to his coaches and teammates and everyone in the Pac-10, but to those in the NFL who will be breaking down everything about his game: His initial quickness, hand placement, acceleration, getting into second-level blocks, balance, flexibility, lateral agility, lower body strength, knee bend, blocking angles, arm length, height, awareness …“Colin is a great player,” Bedenbaugh said. “Colin is going to have a chance to play in the NFL. How he plays this year is going to determine where he goes and how much of a shot he has. - Anthony Gimino, The Tucson Citizen
08/31/10- Josh Koeppel, rSr, Iowa, 6-2, 273 Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says center Josh Koeppel will likely miss Saturday’s season opener after a traffic accident in Iowa City. Koeppel (KEHP’-puhl) was riding a motorcycle Monday morning when a pickup truck turned left and collided with him. Koeppel was treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and released. Ferentz says Koeppel was fortunate to walk away with just scrapes and soreness, and he’s hopeful Koeppel will return to action soon. Koeppel was listed as the backup to James Ferentz on the depth chart after the two competed during fall camp for the starting job. - AP Sports
08/30/10- Ryan Bartholomew, rSr, Syracuse, 6-1, 298 Center Ryan Bartholomew, linebacker Derrell Smith and punter Rob Long will serve as he 2010 Syracuse football team captains. Each student-athlete is a candidate for at least one national award at his position. The trio was elected by their teammates at the conclusion of pre-season camp. "When you get voted a captain by your team it is one of the greatest honors in the sport of football," said head coach Doug Marrone. "We’re excited to have those three players, as well as the rest of the team, leading us into this 2010 season." - Syracuse football
08/30/10- Mike Pouncey, Sr, Florida, 6-5, 312 Florida junior Mike Pouncey has the ability to play all five positions on the Gators’ offensive line, but Coach Urban Meyer is resisting the idea of turning the Rimington Award candidate into the team’s resident nomad. Pouncey played guard last year, but moved to center this season after his twin brother, Maurkice, departed for the NFL. But with the Gators scrambling a bit following the news their top two left tackles will sit out next Saturday’s season opener against Miami (Ohio) with injuries, Pouncey offered to shift to tackle to protect quarterback John Brantley’s blind side. Meyer hasn’t bought into the idea, saying he wants to make sure the center-quarterback exchange doesn’t become an issue. “I want the ball to hit the quarterback in the hands and not look like the Bad News Bears out there,” Meyer said, according to the Associated Press. “I don’t think we’re going to move Mike. I hope not.” - Jason Shoot, News Herald
08/30/10- Chase Beeler, rSr, Stanford, 6-3, 285 2010 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD FALL WATCH LIST: Chase Beeler, C, Stanford, has been selected to the Official Watch List for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award. Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the official watch list by earning All-America honors, by being named to their respective all-conference first teams as selected by the conference's head coaches or by nomination sent to and reviewed by the nominations committee. - Rotary Lombardi Award
08/30/10- Kris O'Dowd, Sr, Southern Cal, 6-4, 300 2010 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD FALL WATCH LIST: Kris O'Dowd, C, USC, has been selected to the Official Watch List for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award. Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the official watch list by earning All-America honors, by being named to their respective all-conference first teams as selected by the conference's head coaches or by nomination sent to and reviewed by the nominations committee. - Rotary Lombardi Award
08/30/10- Jake Kirkpatrick, rSr, TCU, 6-3, 305 2010 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD FALL WATCH LIST: Jake Kirkpatrick, C, TCU, has been selected to the Official Watch List for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award. Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the official watch list by earning All-America honors, by being named to their respective all-conference first teams as selected by the conference's head coaches or by nomination sent to and reviewed by the nominations committee. - Rotary Lombardi Award
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