Mark Ortmann, Michigan's offensive line ready for fierce Penn State front
As tough to stomach as Michigan’s 30-28 loss to Iowa was two weeks ago, left tackle Mark Ortmann said that game also showed how good the Wolverines can be.
"I think a lot of confidence was built in the Iowa game," Ortmann said. "To face a top-15 team in the nation, have five turnovers and only lose by a few points and still have a chance to win in that game, I think that showed a lot of people on this team the capabilities of this offense and the team itself."
Michigan's offensive line had its best collective game of the season against Iowa. Ortmann stymied Hawkeyes defensive end Adrian Clayborn, and Michigan put 195 yards rushing and three touchdowns on maybe the best defensive front in the Big Ten.
"I was really pleased, not always technique-wise we were our best, but effort-wise and battling wise I really was proud of the o-line in that game," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “They really got challenged, and I think they see the same thing this week on film. Our guys are pretty sharp. You turn on the film, they’re like, 'Oh boy, I better have my A game ready to play for this one.'"
Like Iowa, Penn State’s defense relies on a menacing front seven.
The Nittany Lions (6-1, 2-1) lead the league in rushing yards allowed and points against, and have two of the conference’s best defensive players in tackle Jared Odrick and linebacker Navorro Bowman.
Ortmann said the focus up front is on athletic tackles Odrick and Ollie Ogbu. Odrick had six tackles, including 2 1/2 for loss, in Penn State's 46-17 win over Michigan (5-2, 1-2) last year.
"They bring a different look that we haven’t seen against two inside defensive linemen, so it’ll be a challenge,” Ortmann said. “We’re just looking at the film from last year and trying to figure out how we can not make the same mistakes twice."
As for Ortmann's season, Rodriguez said the senior is having "an outstanding year" after playing through a dislocated elbow last fall.
“I was critiqued a lot last year, but it was hard last year playing with one arm, essentially,” Ortmann said. “It’s good to be healthy and I think I made a lot of strides both in the pass game and in the run game.
“You hate to play up or down to your opponents’ level, but sometimes it’s hard not to. Against Iowa, that was definitely my best game and hopefully I can build upon that this week.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
81wolverine
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 8:02 a.m.
The play of our offensive line is one of the two big keys for us winning - the other is not making turnovers. Our RB's are good enough where if there's room to run, they'll do well. We MUST be able to run the ball effectively to win this game, which I think we will do. Go Blue!
maizenbluenc
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 7 a.m.
Yes - the Iowa game did show our O line can get it done. Now if special teams can just keep the ball in their hands, and our freshmen QBs play just a little smarter... My view, given how Penn State seems to have been playing, how our guys have fought to the end in every game, Tate recovering, and the game being in Michigan Stadium... the press is wrong, we should win the game. Go Blue!
azwolverine
Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 10:21 p.m.
I was happy with the play of the O line against Iowa as well. I even said before the game that, after the MSU game, the O line just had to play nasty, in your face Michigan football. As RR said, that's pretty much what they did. Not always the best technique, but battling to the end. They need more of the same this week. If the O line can keep that up, the key to the game will be winning the turnover battle and making some key stops on defense.