Gigantic Moses leads a strong offensive unit Sophomore Morgan Moses is the next in a succession of prototype blockers produced by the University of Virginia. The list includes D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Branden Albert and Eugene Monroe, all starters at left tackle for their respective NFL teams.
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Scouting services say the biggest of them all, the bearded, 6-foot-6, 335-pound Moses, is on a similar track.
But this year the Cavaliers’ offensive line is much more than a one-man show. The unit has helped power Virginia (4-2) to its best start since 2007, when Albert and Monroe were an imposing duo on the Cavaliers’ left side.
| Up next |
| N.C. State at Virginia |
| When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m. |
| Where » Scott Stadium, |
| Charlottesville, Va. |
| TV » ESPNU |
In Saturday’s 24-21 upset of No.?12 Georgia Tech, the line paved the way for Virginia’s backs to run for 272 yards, the Cavaliers’ most in a game since 2004. It was the first time in 20 games that Georgia Tech failed to outrush its opponent.
In the final 5:58, the spotlight fell on the Virginia offensive line as the Cavaliers held the ball for 14 plays, including 12 rushes. The Yellow Jackets’ defense knew what was coming but was powerless to stop it.
“They’ve got guys who can run. They’re big, they’re powerful and they can knock you back,” said N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien, who brings his team to Charlottesville on Saturday. “They’ve got two sophomores on the right side, which is pretty impressive that they’re playing at that level.”
On Monday, senior center Anthony Mihota (6-4, 285) was named ACC offensive lineman of the week for the second time this fall. Earlier in the season, senior tackle Oday Aboushi (6-6, 310) won the same award.
Mihota credited offensive line coach Scott Wachenheim, a former Redskins assistant who guided the Cavaliers’ tight ends last fall.
“He is the best offensive line coach I’ve ever had. He really knows what he’s talking about,” Mihota told the Virginia website. “He has really improved some of the people on the offensive line.”
Experience, size and good health have propelled the line to success. Virginia entered the season with four players who had combined for 62 career starts. The most experienced Cavaliers lineman, senior guard Austin Pasztor (6-7, 305), hasn’t missed a start since early in his freshman season. Sophomore guard Luke Bowanko (6-6, 295), a Centreville graduate, joined them in the lineup this fall, and the unit has remained intact.
Thanks largely to the improvement of the line, Virginia ranks third in the ACC in rushing (193 yards a game), up from a 140-yard average a year ago, and third in sacks allowed (1.2 a game), up from a 1.9 average a year ago.
But numbers can’t quantify the inspirational effect of what Aboushi did Saturday, when he sprinted downfield to check on Tim Smith after the wide receiver was hurt lunging for a pass.
“That’s the kind of energy we need on a sustained level — every opportunity that hopefully becomes contagious,” Virginia coach Mike London said. “That’s a lot of energy to feed off of not only on the field but off the field.”
