Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics
Football
Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Any coach worth his salt will tell you that football games are won or lost at the line of scrimmage.
Mississippi State’s Mike Leach is certainly a proponent for the offensive line and just how integral it is in making his Air Raid offense operate at an optimal level.
“I’m a big O-line guy and I make sure that everyone in that (locker) room knows that it is the most important position, but they’d better carry that responsibility too,” Leach said.
The Bulldogs’ front five have certainly held up their end of that commitment. The offensive line has not only kept quarterback Will Rogers upright, but also paved the way for the rushing attack to post back-to-back 100 yard games on the ground.
In last week’s 40-17 win over Arkansas, MSU rushed for a season-high 173 yards with Dillon Johnson becoming the first Bulldog to reach the century mark on the ground for Leach.
“It gives us a lot of pride to keep our quarterback clean and giving the running backs holes to run through,” said senior right guard Cole Smith. “It gives us a lot of pride to know that those guys are shining.”
The offensive line was able to shutdown the Razorbacks’ pass rush, which continues to lead the Southeastern Conference with 21 sacks. Not only did State not surrender a sack, the O-line allowed just one quarterback hurry during the entire contest.
“That gives us so much confidence because sacks…
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