Ball State head coach Pete Lembo surveys over the empty practice field and yells “Ones up!” signifying for the starters to line up for a few snaps.
That two-word phrase now means something totally different to four players on the Ball State offensive line.
After a combined 164 career starts, four of five members of the country’s most experienced line graduated in May.
“It is different not seeing them around since I was with them for two years,” redshirt sophomore Jalen Schlachter said.
Of those five, only All-MAC second-team guard Jordan Hansel returns for the 2013 season.
The accomplished line’s other starters in Austin Holtz, Kitt O’Brien, Dan Manick and Cameron Lowry are gone.
“The group last year played next to each other quite a bit,” offensive line coach Nick Tabacca said. “They could figure some things out without even talking.”
Some of the new members have spot starts over the last few years due to injuries. Looking back, Tabacca is glad that Jake Richard and others were able to get experience.
“Those guys have taken snaps in the heat of battle,” Tabacca said. “There’s no substitute for experience, that’s what I always say. You only get that on gameday.”
QUICK TACKLE
In Lembo’s system, offensive linemen on the left side of the ball (left guard, left tackle) are called “quick,” and the offensive linemen on the right side of the ball (right guard, right tackle) are called “strong.”
Ball State will replace fifth-year senior Holtz with another fifth-year senior — Matthew Page.
Page has started three games in his career, with his first coming at Oklahoma in 2011 in a 62-6 loss.
“It was definitely difficult — coming out of high school, you want to play,” Page said of his three-year wait on the sidelines. “But we had great players here ... a whole bunch of guys that make it easy to learn from.”
The two tackles in front of Page were Holtz and Lowry, two players who had started portions of the last four years.
“[Holtz and Lowry] were both great tackles here, both people I wanted to be like,” Page said. “They coached me on the sidelines. We’re all like brothers. That’s how I stayed focused.”
Despite the wait, Page never considered transferring.
“For me since day one, Ball State has always been what I can call home,” he said. “There’s a certain feeling you get when you’re getting recruited. I felt that way about Ball State from the beginning.”
Page said his best strength is his athleticism, and at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, he’s a difficult object to move on the line.
“Last year, I felt like I could start,” Page said. “It was a confidence thing. The coaches made sure to tell me to keep doing what I’m doing. They didn’t want me to get complacent. They were like, ‘We look at you as a starter.’”
QUICK GUARD
After committing to Indiana University before his freshman year, Schlachter found his football future in doubt when his scholarship was rescinded after Kevin Wilson was hired to be the new coach of the Hoosiers.
After some searching around, Schlachter found a home at Ball State.
Now, he will get an opportunity to start on an offensive line in 2013, replacing O’Brien.
O’Brien was a staple at guard throughout his Ball State career, starting in 28 consecutive games between 2010 and 2012.
“It feels really good,” Schlachter said of starting after his struggles of finding a school. “It’s a good feeling to be out [at practice] playing first string right now.”
CENTER
When starting center Manick was unable to start on Oct. 27, 2012, against Army, Richard stepped in.
“Jake Richard has taken a big leadership role [this season],” Schlachter said about his teammate.
Richard stepped in and started four games last season.
During that time, Ball State averaged 243.25 yards rushing per game, 40.05 more than its season average.
“I think it just takes away a little of the edge, the uncertainty,” Richard said. “I kind of know what to expect. There is not really much I haven’t seen now.”
Every probable starter has been in Lembo’s offensive system for more than one season, so learning the terminology before the season begins isn’t the problem.
Richard said the key now is to develop trust and chemistry.
STRONG GUARD
Hansel went from the least experienced member of the offensive line in 2012, to the most experienced in 2013.
He started all but one game last season at strong guard. While not the oldest on the team by age — Hansel turned 21 in April — he has by far the most career starts on the line with 27.
“[Hansel] and I have worked together for a while now,” Richard said. “I think we feed off each other. He sees what I’m doing, and I see what he’s doing. We can adjust to each other’s strengths.”
Many players have named the senior as a player who has taken more of a leadership role.
“[Hansel] has a lot of experience,” Tabacca said. “He can give little tips and does a good job coaching the younger guys. He’s an asset for us.”
Tackle Steven Bell said Hansel has been a role model to him.
One player Hansel has helped coach over the last couple of years is Schlachter, who will try to emulate Hansel’s Ball State career.
“I would love to play as well as he can,” Schlachter said.
STRONG TACKLE
Unlike the other positions on the line, the answer to who will man the strong tackle position is still up in the air. The competition is down to one of two players: Bell or Drake Miller.
Neither has any in-game experience as both were redshirted last season.
One of the things both players have to adjust to before Thursday’s season opener against Illinois State is the speed of the game.
The collegiate game is faster overall, but the linemen are slower. However, they make up for it in more raw strength than in high school football.
“Me and Drake have always known there’s going to be a competition when we first came in,” Bell said. “On one side it’s really nice having a competition because it makes me push harder and makes him push harder. On the other side, it’s just always there. You’re just always thinking about who’s going to start.”
It’s not known at what point the competition will be settled, but if it turns out that Miller is the starter, he knows the first call he’s making.
“My teammates, just to talk over what we’re going to do and make sure we’re on the same page,” Miller said.
