Indiana University Athletics
Spring Update: Hoosiers Gaining Experience Up Front
4/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 11, 2007
Despite the departure of seniors Chris Mangiero, Justin Frye and Scott Anderson, the Hoosiers return five different players who started at least five games in 2006 in addition to five true freshmen who redshirted this fall.
Senior guard John Sandberg and senior tackle Charlie Emerson will lead the linemen up front this spring. Each started 11 games for the Hoosiers and played in all 12 for the Hoosiers in 2006 and helped redshirt freshman Kellen Lewis post one of the best rookie seasons in school history.
Other returning starters are junior Kyle Thomas, who started both at left guard and left tackle in 2006, and sophomores Pete Saxon and Rodger Saffold. Thomas started the first six games of the season at left guard a year ago before suffering an injury that limited him to playing in just three of the Hoosiers' final six games.
Saxon saw his first action against Wisconsin, and earned five straight starts toward the end of the season while playing in IU's final eight games. When Saxon played, Indiana had six 100-yard contests and averaged 134.0 on the ground per game.
Saffold got into his first action against Connecticut, then started the next six games before an injury ended his season. In his six starts at left tackle, the Hoosiers averaged 138.5 yards per game on the ground. Saffold was named to the Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team for his efforts.
Other offensive linemen who are expected to contribute include senior Ben Wyss, who played in four games last season and is currently atop the depth chart at center, and a quintet of true freshmen who redshirted a season ago. James Brewer, Cody Faulkner, Alex Perry, Jarrod Smith and Mike Stark have all seen action this spring after spending the fall improving in the weight room and on the practice field.
