Nov. 15, 2007

Link To Houston Chronicle Blog

By M.K. Bower
Houston (Texas) Chronicle

Oftentimes, tailbacks get too much credit for their individual success while the linemen who create the holes and grate the pavement are cavalierly overlooked. With the Owls poised to tackle (they can dream, can't they?) the nation's leading rusher, Tulane senior Matt Forté, we couldn't help but ponder the influence of his offensive line.

"I think that they have really just focused on developing a run game," Owls defensive line coach Darin Eliot said of the Green Wave. "Those guys have gotten really good at run blocking. But I would definitely say that the majority of their success is due to Forté. Their linemen have worked on being really good run blockers because they have such a good tailback back there."

The interior of the Tulane line - right guard Andrew Nierman, center Aryan Barto, and left guard Michael Parenton - have started every game this season. Left tackle Troy Kropog missed one start (against UAB) while Tyler Rice, who has started four consecutive games, is the fourth Green Wave to open a game at right tackle.

The Tulane line is neither massive (the unit averages 6-3 1/2 and 292 lbs) or exceedingly experienced (Barto is the lone senior; Nierman is a true freshman), but the Green Wave is staunchly committed to the run. Tulane has run the football on 57.3 percent of its snaps, which plays a role in Forte averaging 181.3 yards/game. Forté ranks second nationally in rushing attempts with 297 (behind Kevin Smith of UCF, who has 310), and ninth in yards/rush (6.1) among tailbacks who have rushed for 1,000 yards. He rushed for 178 yards and a score last season when the Owls fell at Tulane 38-24 in the Superdome.

Tulane will feature a pro-style offense with a fullback (we didn't realize C-USA teams had those), a tight end and two receivers. Every now and then the Green Wave will go with two tight ends, but the purpose is the same: to ram the supremely talented Forté (6-2, 223) down the Owls' throats all afternoon long.

Forté, a Doak Walker Award semifinalist and Walter Camp Player of the Year candidate, will become the 11th player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. The Owls hope to keep Forte from reaching that illustrious plateau this weekend at The Stadium.