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Saluki offensive line continues to dominate

Elmer McDaniel is built more like a bulldog than a Saluki.

The 5-foot-11, 315-lb. senior is the literal centerpiece of SIU's overwhelming offensive line, a unit that has helped the Salukis score 39.2 points per game thus far in the season.

McDaniel's stature defies that of a conventional center - most starting NFL centers are comparatively lanky 6-3, 290-lb. athletes. The vertically challenged lineman doesn't let anyone underestimate him more than once, though.

McDaniel was named second-team All-American by the Sports Network and first-team All-Gateway Conference in his junior season at SIU. He also earned the Gateway Conference's Offensive Lineman of the Week Award for his performance against Illinois State the same year.

However, for a man that busts heads on the field in his pursuit to protect junior quarterback Joel Sambursky, McDaniel is remarkably good-natured and modest - the latter quality often being a necessity for an offensive lineman.

McDaniel acknowledged fans sometimes forget the impact he and his teammates on the line have on a game.

He, along with senior teammates Brian Akins, Matt Miller and Justin Rich and sophomore Will Justice, open up the holes the running backs blaze through. They also help give Sambursky precious time to find an open receiver.

They are the men helping to glorify the Saluki onslaught while receiving very little attention themselves, something McDaniel was quick to downplay.

"Our running backs give us credit," McDaniel said with a slight grin. "We put our hands up too when they score."

The Saluki offensive line is actually drowning in credit from their quarterback, running backs and coaching staff.

Jerry Kill, head coach of the Salukis, said anyone who knows football knows games are won and lost on the line.

"With our running backs, that's all people focus on," Kill said. "You can have the best running back and skill players in the country, but without blocking you won't be successful."

Senior running back Brandon Jacobs knows what the hard work of the offensive line produces for the team.

"They create a lot of room for us to run on the line of scrimmage," Jacobs said. "They work hard all week, and these are the results they get."

The results Jacobs might be referring to are the 2,304 yards the Saluki running game has produced this season, 310 of which came from the decimation of a stunned Western Kentucky defense.

SIU running backs are also averaging a notable 5.8 yards per carry for the season. According to Kill, that wouldn't be possible without the offensive line creating holes for them.

Sambursky was also self-effacing about the1,402 passing yards and 10 touchdowns he has amassed through the 2004 season. Sambursky said all the points scored could be attributed directly to the offensive line.

"They are the guys that give me time," Sambursky said. "I think any quarterback in the conference can play when they have a lot of time."

To gauge the success and talent of an offensive line, yards and touchdowns are the stats to look at.

There is no statistical category for blocks. Rich, the left offensive guard, can't record an "averted sack" during a game.

McDaniel said SIU would probably be leading the nation if such stats did exist. Until that happens, the Saluki offensive line will continue doing what they do so well - helping the team score points and secure victories.

According to McDaniel, the chemistry between the offensive linemen is what allows those things to occur.

Four of the Salukis on the line are seniors who have played together for at least the past two years, and Justice played right tackle in 11 games as a freshman. They know each other well.

"Usually we're on the same page," Justice said. "It only takes one or two words between us to get something done."

The downside to having a line with four seniors is the fact they will be gone next season. Sambursky wasn't worried about the loss, saying Kill's recruiting skills can be trusted.

Justice, who will be the lone starter to return next season, matter-of-factly said he would have to get better.

"It will be different not having the same guys around me next season," Justice said. "But it's natural, and people step up just like I did this year."

Of course, next year is a bridge to be crossed later, and the focus right now is on SIU's march to a possible championship, something Rich can almost reach out and grab.

"It's the ultimate goal for sure," Rich said. "I've never been on a team like this."