ATLANTA – Injuries decimated the one unit on Ohio State’s team that seemed least equipped to handle it.
The most important test is Monday, of course, but the Buckeyes‘ offensive line has held up better than almost anyone outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center believed.
When left tackle Josh Simmons and then center Seth McLaughlin were lost for the season with injuries, many dismissed Ohio State’s national championship chances. But if that unit can do it one more time against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game, it would be quite an achievement.
“I think it just shows that our offensive line is resilient and tough,” senior right tackle Josh Fryar said. “We look adversity in the eye and we just say, ‘FU, we’re going to do it.’ ”
Fryar and right guard Tegra Tshabola have been the only constants on the line, and even Tshabola has been in a rotation at guard with Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld in the postseason. Left guard Donovan Jackson has flourished as Simmons’ replacement at tackle. Carson Hinzman has taken over effectively for McLaughlin, who won the Rimington Trophy as the country’s top center.
“I’ve been here for five years, and I’ve been on a lot of offensive lines,” Fryar said. “I think this is the closest one we’ve had by far because of the adversity we’ve overcome to get to this point.”
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Quarterback Will Howard has been sacked only twice in the past five games, both in the CFP semifinal against Texas. The run blocking has been inconsistent but generally more effective than many expected.
“I’ve got to give all the credit in the world to those guys,” Howard said. “They’ve stepped up in a huge way, and I’ve seen a different look in their eyes. Carson, Josh Fryar and Donnie – those dudes have stepped up in a big way.
“There were a lot of people that were saying a lot of different things about those guys. I’m just so proud of them. But man, we need one more.”
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The offensive line was the biggest question on the team even before the injuries. But Simmons blossomed into a star, and McLaughlin solidified the line as a grad transfer from Alabama. The unit was clicking.
Then Simmons was lost in the Oc.t. 12 game at Oregon with a knee injury. Jackson moved to tackle because the Buckeyes had no other viable options.
McLaughlin then tore an Achilles tendon in practice four days before the Indiana game in late November.
“That day was an oh s— day for me,” Fryar said. “Just to see where he went from the wintertime, being the guy who wouldn’t talk or anything, to being an All-American and Rimington winner, yeah, it was a dark point in this season for us as an O-line.
“But I had confidence in Carson right away. He played 12 games (as last year’s starter), and I thought he did fine in those 12 games.”
Offensive line coach Justin Frye has been the subject of criticism for his inability to sign five-star linemen. But offensive line is a developmental position, and those backups have patched the holes. Montgomery became the ninth starter on the line this season when he opened the game at left guard against Texas.
“I’ve said it’s not about me,” Frye said. “I get to walk in that meeting room and close that door with my guys and see how they’re fighting and what they’re doing. I’m happy and proud for them because they’re living what you’re supposed to be – a competitive guy, a teammate guy, a smart guy, a tough guy, a resilient guy.
“I’ve got a whole room full of them. To walk in and shut the door and say, ‘This is how we’re going to game plan. This is how we’re going to win the game,’ and then watch them do it, that’s what makes me happy.”
The job isn’t done yet, and Notre Dame’s defense is formidable. Fryar said he considers the Fighting Irish the toughest team in college football.
“It’s become a very resilient group,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of his offensive line, “and again they have to be at their best this week. They’ve got to finish the job. A big part of this game is going to be up front on both sides of the ball.
“They’ve been through some great moments together and through some difficult times that they’ve learned from and grown from, so I think they should be going to this game with the utmost confidence.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football’s O-line has held up, but Notre Dame test remains
