ASU offensive linemen vow to improve

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Arizona State has been one of the better offenses in the nation this year, and last week the Sun Devils managed 44 points and 361 passing yards against a stingy, aggressive Oregon State defense.

So, why have ASU’s offensive linemen felt like throwing up after watching film of recent games?

“It makes me sick,” left tackle Brandon Rodd said. “Going into the season, we felt that the offensive line was an area where there is no need for concern. But after these past few games, it’s been a wake-up call for us.

“I’m glad we’ve been winning, despite how (expletive) the line has played. We have to start taking care of business.”

A subpar performance by the offensive line came to a nadir a week ago when quarterback Rudy Carpenter was sacked four times and avoided other losses with his scrambling ability. Some of the plays that Carpenter created went for long gains and at least one touchdown.

That dazzled Sun Devil fans but has puzzled the offensive linemen, who are big (the starters average 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds) and veteran (five linemen have earned their degrees). Why is the QB having to run for his life so often?

“The linemen are not happy with their performance,” coach Dennis Erickson said.

“They know better than anyone. But they will get better, and I expect them to play well (today at Stanford) and continue to improve. We have to get better as a team in a lot of areas, and the offensive line knows that.”

ASU had just 35 yards rushing against Oregon State, which wanted to force Carpenter to throw. Overall this year, the running game has been as advertised with Ryan Torain and Keegan Herring.

It is pass blocking that has been the area of concern, and the reasons for the breakdowns are many.

Center Mike Pollak said the line is still trying to master Erickson’s system. Rodd believes that technique has been poor. Offensive line coach Gregg Smith feels that one mistake causes his players to second-guess themselves and lose their mental focus.

“Everyone has really been upset with themselves on how they played,” Smith said. “Film does not lie. We addressed it, it’s over with, and we’ve had a good week of practice. They need to relax and play and do what they’re capable of.”

ASU has made one personnel change, as sophomore Shawn Lauvao starts at left guard today, ahead of senior Robert Gustavis.

At the center of the pass-rush storm has been Carpenter, who — after a game against Colorado on Sept. 8 in which he had to scramble frequently — said that, like any QB, his preference is to stand in the pocket and watch a play develop, not get hit.

But Carpenter, who has been sacked nine times this season, has not publicly called out his blockers.

“I used to complain about being on a terrible high school team when I was younger, but I really believe that was one of the best things that happened to me,” Carpenter said. “It taught me a lot about making plays and how to get out of things. It’s just instincts. I’m glad I’m able to do it.

“It’s not always fun getting hit, but it’s fun to help your team out.”

The linemen, however, have made their feelings clear, believing the hits their

quarterback is taking cannot be sustained. What makes the situation especially disappointing is that Erickson’s offense has added elements — the shotgun, quick passes and drops — designed to limit pressure on the QB.

“We have a talented guy like Rudy who can scramble out of the pocket and still make plays if we screw up,” Pollak said. “But we have to take that upon ourselves to correct. If that continues, he won’t withstand the beating.”

Either on the field or in the film room, Pollak said, the linemen are quick to come up to Carpenter with a mea culpa:

Sorry, Rudy, that should not have happened.

As the season progresses, Carpenter’s health will not be the Sun Devils’ only concern. The meat of the Pac-10 schedule is coming, and ASU — as evidenced last season — will have trouble winning without a successful passing game.

That starts with the offensive line, which Rodd vows will heal soon.

“I’ve gone up to Rudy and coach Erickson and told them that will never happen again,” Rodd said.

“I hope that Rudy trusts us enough to know that. And Sun Devil fans need to rest easy and know that. It will never happen again.”

ASU at Stanford

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, Calif.

TV: FSN Arizona

Radio: KTAR (92.3 FM)