Tate: UI lines up protection for Hoekstra

On September's steamy artificial turf, trim receivers are granted repeated breathers ... running backs are alternated ... defensive linemen lumber on and off, some as specialist pass rushers and others to blunt the run.

But in the offensive front, 300-pounders almost are never relieved. No specialists here, their uniforms gain 10 pounds in sweat alone. Wounded or healthy, they're in for the duration. And if they're successful, the plaudits go to somebody named Rocky or Steve.

Oh, you bruised your right shoulder. OK, block with the left one. Oops, your shin is bleeding. Well, rub some dirt on it. Hey, this is the offensive line. You get no quarter and no credit. Suck it up.

That's the nature of the position. In two Illini games, the five-man unit was broken up on just two brief occasions: when J.P. Machado came down with cramps and gave way to huge junior college transfer Matt Carlton for six plays at Washington State and eight more against Middle Tennessee State.

"These guys get used to playing next to each other, and we don't want to change that," UI line coach Harry Hiestand said. "It's all about communication. Decisions must be made in a short time with sign language, codes or maybe grunts. It all happens so fast. If you break up the unit, it takes the new guy time to adjust."

Said center Tom Schau: "Our goal is to block as hard on the 85th play as on the first. It seems that after the first few series, you get a second wind. It's easier as the game wears on. Maybe you get used to the tempo."

Efforts rewarded

We're jumping the gun, but early showings indicate that Bloomington twins Tom and Ryan Schau, Monmouth's Machado, Catholic League giant Marques Sullivan and New Jersey prep schooler Ray Redziniak may comprise the most proficient Illini line in several years. They launched Steve Havard for 103 yards at WSU and created lanes for a 391-yard ground assault Saturday. Quarterback Mark Hoekstra has had decent protection, even if he hasn't taken advantage of it.

Regardless of how fans view the UI's competition so far, there is profit in seeing effort rewarded ... particularly with a group so overlooked.

"They were sore from all those collisions," Hiestand said, "but they came back this week with a lot of bounce. They enjoyed the experience of winning, and they're hungry for more. These guys feel good about what they accomplished.

"As for their ability to perform without rest, that's a product of summer conditioning, a hot preseason camp and the work of Pat Moorer (weight training coach). These guys are in good condition. They felt like they could have gone 100 plays Saturday."

Tom Schau keys the grunts

They're twins, but you can tell them apart, even if former walk-on Tom Schau has grown to within roughly 10 pounds of his 300-plus brother, Ryan.

Tom developed somewhat slower, that's all, and received his UI scholarship after starting four games in his redshirt freshman season.

Based on coach Ron Turner's 1997 comments (the line slumped after Tom was hurt early last season) and how steady the unit is now performing – 514 rushing yards and one sack in two games – Tom is emerging as the key.

"He's very intelligent," Hiestand said. "That's extremely important. Tom is like a coach on the field.

"For example, in preparing for Middle Tennessee State, we went over four defensive alignments in practice, but they overshifted into two formations we hadn't seen this season. Tom made the right calls, and the guys had adjusted before they came to the sideline. I just told them to keep it up. That's where experience comes in."

Added Tom Schau: "In this offense, the center identifies the defensive front after coming to the line. He makes the calls for pass protection, like which way we block and who's responsible for blitzes."

What if misfortune strikes and Tom Schau is forced to the sideline?

"Luke Butkus is ready. He's coming on fast," Hiestand said.

A redshirt freshman, Butkus projects as the UI center the next three years. That's comforting to know, if for no other reason than the name.

Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette.

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