By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics

Back in August, it was clear that William & Mary's biggest strength would be its offensive line. The Tribe returned five seniors, three in their sixth year, who had started a combined 75 games. They brought size, athleticism, and expertise.

What no one could have projected was what has become a revolving door in the lineup. W&M has played six games this season and, because of injuries and protocol issues, has started six different combinations.

At no position group is cohesion more crucial. Yet despite constant adjustments from week to week, William & Mary leads the Colonial Athletic Association and is 28^th nationally in rushing at 190 yards a game. The line has allowed five sacks — only six FCS teams have given up fewer.

"The hardest part for an offensive line is having five guys who are all working in tandem," said sixth-year senior Dan Evers, who has started three games at left guard and one at center. "A lot of times, it's not about individual talent. It's about how well that offensive line can work together as a group.

"Our whole room, whether you're a freshman or a sixth-year senior like myself, we all jell well together on and off the field. It's important for us to be the best. That's what Coach (Gordie) Sammis instills in us, to expect to be the best."

In his third season as offensive line coach, Sammis made it a point in preseason for each lineman to be able to handle at least two positions. It's turned out to be a necessity.

"In a perfect world, everybody would always play one spot and become a master of it," Sammis said. "Unfortunately, and especially this year, we have not had that opportunity. You try to train everyone in case of an emergency, and that's what's happened here and there.

"We have really experienced guys who can do multiple things, which has really helped us. We've got really smart guys and really good depth. That's the thing that's helped us more than anything — how many quality linemen we have here."

Consider last week's game at Maine. The Tribe was already starting its sixth different lineup in six games. On the 13^th play from scrimmage, Sorsdal went down with an injury. Andrew Trainer shifted from left tackle to right tackle, and redshirt freshman Charles Grant came in to fill Trainer's old spot.

William & Mary didn't get the win, but the offense netted 258 rushing yards, an average of 6.8 per carry. Quarterback Darius Wilson was never sacked, and Maine was credited with one hurry.

"The offensive line has done a really, really good job," Tribe coach Mike London said. "The guys who have stepped in have done an admirable job. That's the calling card we have now."

Eight different linemen have started at least one game this season. Five of them — Colby Sorsdal, Ryan Ripley, Cory Ryder, Trainer and Evers — are seniors. Sorsdal has started 29 games in his career. Evers has started 28, Trainer 19, Ripley 15, and Ryder six.

Junior Marcus Crowell (six starts) is also a veteran. Sophomore Bart Francois and freshman Charles Grant are the young guys. They have observed, listened, learned and contributed.

"I tell our younger guys all the time, these older guys are really good players and they've played a lot of football," Sammis said. "So you'd better be a sponge around them and learn. You never know when you have to be in there with them.

"Charles Grant has played well for us. Having a guy like Dan Evers next to him helping with the calls, talking about the look, that's really helped his game."

What everyone was thinking in preseason was in fact correct — the offensive line has been William & Mary's strong point. Having to prove it this way only makes that more obvious.

"Obviously, there were planned starters at the beginning of the season, just like any position," Evers said. "But the second-team and third-team guys really prepared with the same practice reps, same mental reps, every day during camp. That's what has allowed us to stay consistent.

"It's definitely a source of pride. When it's, 'Well, we have a different guy playing center this week' … who cares? We've got to go out and play at that same high level."