The unsung heroes
Ken Woods
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
The running back gets the yardage and touchdowns that go along with a good rushing attack. However, the five men up front often do the dirty work to accomplish such goals.
The Western Illinois University offensive linemen have led the way to the No.1 rushing offense in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. As a result, senior left tackle Reshad Jones has earned the Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.
"It's a pretty good accomplishment; I think all of the offensive lineman deserve this award," Jones said. "I feel good when Herb gets the player of the week award; I feel like I get it too. To get an award like this just makes me feel pretty good."
Jones led an O-line that racked up 459 yards on the ground in Saturday's win over Missouri State. The attitude up front is to be aggressive and allow the backs to make plays.
"Just physical man, we want to pound the rock; Herb wants to pound the rock, that's just what we look to do," Jones said. "We play as hard as we can - play physical, play smart."
In addition to Jones winning the offensive lineman of the week award, senior running back Herb Donaldson also earned Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Donaldson gained 273 yards and scored four touchdowns, and he said it could not be possible without the excellent blocking of the front five.
"They are doing a great job, because everybody knows that we are going to run the ball - it's just how efficient you are at stopping it," Donaldson said. "On Saturday, we were able to get some big holes because they were doing their job. (Jones) got lineman of the week and that's good because it came with a victory."
With the efforts of Donaldson running the ball, Jones said it makes the line want to be more physical and do everything they can to create holes and gaps.
"It's great blocking for (Donaldson) because he runs hard every play," Jones said. "He makes us look good and sometimes he does some things and I'm like 'wow - how did he do that.' He's a good back and he makes us want to dig deeper to block for a guy like that."
The Western Illinois University offensive linemen have led the way to the No.1 rushing offense in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. As a result, senior left tackle Reshad Jones has earned the Valley Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.
"It's a pretty good accomplishment; I think all of the offensive lineman deserve this award," Jones said. "I feel good when Herb gets the player of the week award; I feel like I get it too. To get an award like this just makes me feel pretty good."
Jones led an O-line that racked up 459 yards on the ground in Saturday's win over Missouri State. The attitude up front is to be aggressive and allow the backs to make plays.
"Just physical man, we want to pound the rock; Herb wants to pound the rock, that's just what we look to do," Jones said. "We play as hard as we can - play physical, play smart."
In addition to Jones winning the offensive lineman of the week award, senior running back Herb Donaldson also earned Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Donaldson gained 273 yards and scored four touchdowns, and he said it could not be possible without the excellent blocking of the front five.
"They are doing a great job, because everybody knows that we are going to run the ball - it's just how efficient you are at stopping it," Donaldson said. "On Saturday, we were able to get some big holes because they were doing their job. (Jones) got lineman of the week and that's good because it came with a victory."
With the efforts of Donaldson running the ball, Jones said it makes the line want to be more physical and do everything they can to create holes and gaps.
"It's great blocking for (Donaldson) because he runs hard every play," Jones said. "He makes us look good and sometimes he does some things and I'm like 'wow - how did he do that.' He's a good back and he makes us want to dig deeper to block for a guy like that."
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