Football
Young Tackles Face Tough Challenge in Kirlew, Middleton
By Brandon CastelOver the years, Indiana has had Ohio State’s number more often than not.
In basketball, that is.
On the football field it has been no contest. The Buckeyes have won or tied 70 of the 82 meetings between the two Big Ten Conferences foes from neighboring states.
In fact, the Buckeyes have taken 14 straight from the Hoosiers dating back to 1988, and in a one-sided rivalry like this, it’s safe to say the talent is usually congregated to one side of the field. Throughout the years, there have not been many instances where Indiana had the advantage anywhere between the lines.
Yet that will likely be the case Saturday night as the Buckeyes try to slow down Indiana’s star defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton with a pair of true sophomore offensive tackles.
“That’s going to be a challenge,” said tight ends coach John Peterson, who is also in his first season coaching the offensive tackles.
“We’ve been watching them on tape and reading about them. They’re very talented defensive ends that will be a challenge for our guys this week.”
The two senior ends are each amongst the top five in the Big Ten in both sacks and tackles for loss, and both are coming off monster performances against Michigan last week. Combined, they totaled 13 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in 36-33 loss to the Wolverines. Kirlew in particular is coming off a junior season in which he tallied 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, so it will trial by fire for Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts this week as they try to keep quarterback Terrelle Pryor from having to scramble for his life.
“That’s what they have to do is learn on the job,” Peterson said.
“That’s the situation we’re in and we try to do things schematically that will help our young tackles be successful.”
The Buckeyes began the season with junior Andrew Miller at left tackle and senior Jim Cordle at right tackle, but neither provided much more experience at their respective position than either of the sophomores who currently occupy them.
Shugarts stepped into the starting lineup at right tackle against Toledo after Cordle was sideline with a foot injury, while Adams made the first start of his career last week after missing the first two games of the season due to suspension. After coming off the bench against Toledo, Adams replaced Miller as the starter against Illinois. The two had previously battled for the starting position in the spring and during the early portions of fall camp.
“Either one can be a starter,” Peterson said.
“It’s like I told both of them, were going to need more than five linemen to compete in the Big Ten for the whole season. They both understand that and when they get a chance to get in the game we expect both of them to play at a high level.”
While Adams is likely to start on the left side of the line against Indiana, Shugarts is certain to start his third consecutive game at right tackle. Peterson said Wednesday that he has been impressed with the progress he has seen in both players since they moved into the lineup. He also says there is still plenty of room for improvement for the second-year players.
“There’s parts to the pass blocking that they’re good because they’re good athletes. They’re quick-footed, so that helps them in the run game because they can get on some guys,” Peterson said.
“Are they as strong as they’ll be in three years? No. They both came off shoulder surgeries, they both had ankle injuries. Being so young, every week they get better.”
Standing over 6-feet-6 and weighing over 300 pounds, both Adams and Shugarts were considered can’t-miss prospects coming out of high school, and many fans expected them to step right into the starting lineup, much like classmate Michael Brewster. According to Peterson, however, it takes a while for some players to clear the mental hurdle of feeling like they should be able to dominate the guy across from them on every play.
“A lineman in high school is so (overmatching) when they’re blocking a guy 100 pounds less. Now they’re blocking guys that are equal, and more mature guys,” he said.
“It’s learning that you’re not going to knock a guy 10 yards off the ball every play. A stalemate is pretty good some times. Learning that extra strain of one little push can free a great tailback or free a quarterback to make an extra yard.”
It’s learning to bring that same intensity every day in practice, however, that continues to be a teaching point for Peterson as he tries to take both Adams and Shugarts to the next level.
“The bottom line with a young guy when they come to Ohio State is what they do when they get here, and how hard they have to work to play at this level,” Peterson said.
“The natural progression is to say, ‘Ok, I have to bring my A-game every single day, every rep.’ You got to be ready to go against Doug Worthington and Cam (Heyward) every single day. So there’s a learning curve.”
If they can adjust to that learning curve, Peterson sees nothing but greatness in the future for both players as they attempt to solidify the bookends of Ohio State’s offensive line.
“As long as they understand how hard it is to be good. How much effort and how much mental approach they have to put in,” he said.
“But they’re hungry. They’re excited and they want to be as a good as they can be. They’re starting to see their hard work and the persistence in their preparation pay off.”
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