Sunday, September 5, 2010

Smouse For President

There has been a lot of coverage about the JSU vs. Ole Miss game, but barely a mention of one of the most amazing aspects of the game. Jacksonville State lost TWO STARTING Offensive linemen this summer to season ending injuries, Tylor Chambers and Matt Jones. Jones, from Hoover high school, started as a true freshman for the Gamecocks against Georgia Tech. Chambers was a pre-season All OVC selection. Both of these players would have been key contributors this year. In addition to these unexpected losses, Reggie Wade (center) was lost to graduation.

Thus, the Gamecocks were forced to totally rebuild their offensive line against an Ole Miss team with one of the best interior defensive lines in the country. Offensive Line Coach, Scott Smouse, adjusted. All OVC tackle, Curt Porter, manned one of the guard positions for the first time in his career. Another converted tackle, Justin Kay, played right guard. Tyler Ogletree, who has been a key reserve in the past, played center. Both of JSU's tackles were making their first career start, JUCO transfer Odie Rush and Columbus, Georgia product Tori Mobley.

These guys did an awesome job holding up for the entire game against an SEC defense. The most impressive part was as the game went on, the line got stronger. Gamecock Illustrated is still in a daze, but we only remember one sack in the fourth quarter and the 2 headed monster (Ivory/Blanchard) was given time to throw even when Ole Miss knew JSU had to pass.

Injury wise, things were only slightly better on the Defensive side of the ball. The Gamecocks were missing corner phenom, Awesome Jet Davis, and an outstanding defensive lineman, Trio Tyson. It is truly amazing that the Gamecocks held the Rebels to three second half points with these key players out of the game.

The no excuses attitude of this team makes a great win even sweeter. Now you know the rest of the story!

3 comments:

  1. as Paul Harvey would say...page 2. This was an amazing job by the offensive line and Coach Smouse. The strength of OM was supposed to be their DL and down the stretch the thing I noticed was our ability to run the ball for positive yards and pass protection. GREAT JOB!!!

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  2. YEA YEA YEA YEA YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

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  3. The JSU O-Line dominated!

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