This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
For one game, Utah State's offensive line was a solution, instead of being a part of the problem.
Coming into this season, one of the big questions centered on whether or not an O-line that looked a lot like the same line that got ran over last year would be able to hold up and allow the Aggies to get the ball to their stable of playmakers.
For one game, the answer was an emphatic yes.
People know the statistics: Utah State had five rushing touchdowns. Chuckie Keeton was sacked just once, on the last series of the game, and the Aggies were able to run the ball down Auburn's throat.
Much of that had to do with a line that opened holes all day, that controlled the interior and won the battle for an entire game at the line of scrimmage.
"We have a lot more confidence in ourselves," USU center Tyler Larsen said. "We know that we can play with people now. It was good to be able to come in and perform like this."
The line was able to keep Keeton upright, allowing for his breakout performance in what was his collegiate debut. The line was able to make a gaping hole for Kerwynn Williams to run through untouched on a 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
If the Aggies can play like this up front for the rest of the season, it can potentially be hard for teams to stop their running game.
Tony Jones