Offensive line seeks redemption

Junior guard Donnie Woods went to Gossett Team House Sunday, one day after the Terrapin football team's painful loss to Georgia Tech, to watch film of the game before the usual Monday session.

"I came in and watched it, and it was pretty bad. A lot of guys took it really hard. Real hard," Woods said. "We came in on Monday, and we didn't even watch the last two plays, 'cause that's how bad it was."

Two plays - the last-gasp effort for the Terps in a game they had led by 10 points - were all it took to spoil an otherwise fine performance by the offense line.

For 59 minutes and 19 seconds, the line allowed three total sacks on quarterback Sam Hollenbach. In the last 41 seconds, it allowed two and prevented Hollenbach from making a game-winning play. Those plays represent failed execution and motivation as the offensive line looks to return to form tomorrow against Virginia.

During the first four games of the season, the Terps gave up a total of five sacks, and bulldozed the way for a running game that has averaged 134.8 yards per game. Returning three starters from last season plus seasoned senior offensive tackle Stephon Heyer, the offensive line has done it with experience.

"You start to build trust in the guys next to you," Woods said. "I think just being back with the same guys again and knowing each other and knowing what each other is gonna do has made us better."

Overwhelmed by a rash of injuries that forced several backups into starting roles during camp, only one starter - junior right guard Andrew Crummey, who pulled a hamstring - has missed a game this season due to injury. Offensive line coach Tom Brattan said his players are starting to develop some chemistry.

But even while acquiring chemistry, the Terp offensive line has had some superior run-blocking games and other contests in which they protected Hollenbach well.

"What we need to do is find a game where we excel in both," Brattan said. "As an offensive line, it's a matter of having a combination of the two."

Despite some inconsistencies, the Terp offensive line - with steady Crummey, Woods and sophomore center Edwin Williams book ended by Heyer and 6-foot-9-inch sophomore offensive tackle Jared Gaither - still packs a punch. The Terps boast the ACC's heaviest starting offensive line, averaging 315.6 pounds.

Hollenbach said he can see the physicality in the linemen's blocking in practices and games. And opponents are starting to notice.

"They have a great, big physical offensive line," Virginia defensive end Chris Long said. "They just dominate people off the ball."

That's high praise from a junior who has recorded 78 tackles and 4.5 sacks as a Cavalier. It's even more so when considering that Long is the son of NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long.

But Brattan and players said it doesn't matter who Long is - other than a force that can impact the game.

"We could care less," Brattan said. "That's not disrespecting Chris Long. He's a very good player - he's No. 91 - we played him last year and [defensive end Jeffrey] Fitzgerald is a good player. We're aware of it, but when we come to snap the ball, nobody's talking about somebody's genealogy."

Hollenbach said it doesn't matter if it's Jevon Kearse bearing down on him - instead, he has to deal with the pressure and ignore the intimidating presence.

And though those final two plays are devastating to re-live, Long and the Cavaliers will try to exploit what they see on tape. Brattan said one player just got beat, but it came at a very inopportune time.

"It happens," Brattan said. "We can analyze what he could've done better and all that, but in the situation he got beat."

Coach Ralph Friedgen said it was Heyer whom Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson got by to sack Hollenbach. Watching Johnson spin to the inside on third down and then to the outside on fourth down is painful for the entire line, Woods said, but the plays will serve as a ghastly reminder of how big an impact two plays can make on a game.

Building off some success, junior tight end Joey Haynos offered up a solution to those unforgettable plays.

"Just watch it and gain experience from it," he said. "And don't let it happen again."

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.