The dark arts of the offensive line

Not many know what goes on in deep in the trenches of lineman warfare, and not many want to know.

The cliché is that the offensive line is a sweaty, smelly place where men the size of small vehicles collide in territory battles for inches, that, if done properly, can break a teammate loose for yards. If done improperly, however, can spell disaster for the entire team.

Like students of Sun Tzu, those that have toiled in the trenches have found the art of war in the dark arts of the offensive line.

Sure, being big and strong helps. Not many offensive linemen find success if they don't tip the scales at 300 pounds or squat close to twice their body weight. But more important than physical strength is the strength a player has in the brain between his ears and the heart in his chest.

"When everyone's hot and sweaty and tired, a good offensive lineman will keep going no matter what," says guard Robert Luke.

The Montana Grizzlies have parlayed the strength of their offensive line into one of the top-10 passing offenses in the nation, and a running game that has found its stride late in the season with over 200 yards on the ground against UNC.

So, what does it take to win the battle in the trenches, both on a per-snap basis and in the big picture? What is it that drives Montana's O-line to success?

For UM's four senior starters, it's the love of the job, and an acronym they wear on t-shirts as a badge of honor, reminding everyone what goes on in those dark places on the front line.

"The mental side of it is huge, wanting to embrace the fact that you're an O-lineman. It's not a glorifying thing that people see, but in the group, it is," said tackle David Reese.

"Then wanting to finish guys, get guys on the ground, that mindset of DOLA. DOLA man, that's what it is."

If you follow the Grizzlies, you've heard about DOLA, or "Dominant Offensive Line Attitude."

Former Montana All-America center and current O-line coach Chad Germer has lived the DOLA lifestyle through his playing and coaching career and knows a thing or two about teaching what it means to be a dominant lineman on to the next generation.

"You have to be athletic, you've got to be able to use leverage, use pad level, and have timing," said Germer. "Then you have to have the right demeanor. The battle of locking horns in the trenches is something that you have to love. You've got to enjoy that part of the game to where you can't get enough of going in and battling it out."

As with anything in life, the devil is in the details. Nowhere is doing your job more important than on the O-line.

Luke, a senior from Tacoma with 23 starts and 42 appearances to his name, has plenty of time in the trenches. He sees the battle as a dance, choreographed by the plays called from the sideline.

"The most important thing is mapping out your first step. You'll have a good stance and good base if you map out your first step," says Luke. "You have to know where your eyes are going on your first step, and know where your target is. Everything else will follow, and you'll be able to handle anything awkward."

Before the snap, Reese is also plotting out his exact movements, trying to get one step ahead of the competition.

"I need to know where my target is, where I'm going, who I'm working with, and how I'll find help if I'm by myself," he says.

That's when the DOLA kicks in. "From there, it's all just about having that attitude. It's just playing football and being as physical, disrespectful and clean as I can be."

When the ball is passed, or the running back makes his way downfield, an offensive lineman's job isn't finished.

"It takes a lot of finish and will," says Luke. "Being able just to keep going, be mean and have a dominant attitude."

Germer has helped foster that kind of attitude in this year's class, and the Griz are poised to make a playoff run in large part thanks to the strength of this year's line. Each one of them brings the skills described above, and each brings a unique strength to the line that is helping make an already tight group one of the most cohesive on the team.

Luke has been mister versatile for the Grizzlies offensive line since being pushed into action as a freshman as injury cover. He started every game as a sophomore and hasn't missed a game since.

"He has one speed. He's a really good leader, and leads by example," says Germer. "As far as guys who love to play football and love to play offensive line football – he's as good as it comes in that area. The guy just can't get enough of getting down there and blocking people."

Reese, who has the size and speed to get NFL looks, has also been a mainstay of the Grizzly offensive line, playing in nearly every game in his college career, and starting as a true freshman.

"He's super athletic, and he's smart. He's got a great football mind. He sees angles and can play ahead of the defense a little bit and read rotations and backer alignments and get a head start on the D-linemen," Germer adds.

Then you've got two senior offensive linemen who are, on paper, new to the job.

Cooper Sprunk came to Montana as a walk-on tight end. After bouncing around to a handful of positions, found a home at starting center last season after Ben Weyer went down with an injury.

As a center, Sprunk is the quarterback of the offensive line, getting the calls out, communicating, and making sure the coverage is on. Traits that are learned, and for a player who's changed position, learned quickly.

"I think that he doesn't get enough credit for how hard he works in the weight room and at film study," says Germer. "He's smart and athletic and but he's worked really, really hard to become better in both those areas. He studies a lot, and he's put on a ton of weight and strength on top of his natural abilities."

Another journeyman senior who has found a home on the O-line is Mike Ralston. Ralston has played four different positions, but as a two-time Academic All-Big Sky has proven he has the smarts and willpower to adapt.

Even this year as fall camp started the right tackle spot was considered up for grabs. Looking back on it, Germer can't imagine that job going to anyone else.

"He's a different player than he was on week one and two," Germer says. "You watch his games from early in the year, and it's hard to believe it's him on there. He's improved a ton in the last three months, is diligent about it and has taken it very seriously. He wants to be as good as he can in his senior year."

Four seniors, each bringing their own study and interpretation of the dark arts of the offensive line to this year's Grizzlies. The result is an offense that is thriving, and a team ready to make a push for the playoffs.

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Robert Luke

Mike Ralston

David Reese

Cooper Sprunk

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