Notre Dame's O-line looks to take next step

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Sam Young has been here before. Well, not here exactly, but some place like it.

A year ago it was Young making his first career start against Georgia Tech's swarming defense, donning a helmet that might as well have been fitted with blinders.

A week later against Penn State, those menacing defensive ends seemed a step slower while trips to the end zone came a few plays faster.

"The first game last year you've got tunnel vision," Young said. "I didn't really start getting a grasp on things until later in the season as far as being able to read stuff."

With a veteran cast surrounding Young, Notre Dame could cloak the freshman's inexperience with complex sets carried out by a Heisman-caliber quarterback and the second-most experienced line in Irish history. But those luxuries are gone, replaced by freshman QB Jimmy Clausen and three new starters up front.

While Young had time to grow into his position, Notre Dame's new offense can't afford that acclimation period, not with a trip to Penn State looming Saturday.

"We need to mature," Young said. "When you can't put a touchdown up, not only is it frustrating, I'm frankly embarrassed."

If the Irish line doesn't grow up, disasters like the 33-3 rout by Georgia Tech could become common. The front didn't pave the way for the running game; it put potholes in front of Irish backs. It didn't protect Notre Dame's three quarterbacks; it let Georgia Tech tenderize them.

The result left Notre Dame last among all 115 Division I-A teams in rushing offense and sacks allowed as the Irish rushed for minus-8 yards and gave up 9 sacks.

While Irish line coach John Latina won't question last week's game plan that forced his young front to block for three quarterbacks and two offensive systems, the position might get a bump from returning to Charlie Weis' pro-style roots.

No Irish quarterback resembles Brady Quinn's skill set more than Clausen, meaning the line will block in a scheme they've practiced since Weis arrived.

Scrapping the running back rotation wouldn't hurt either. Weis, a proponent of featuring one back, played five tailbacks in the first half against Georgia Tech. Senior captain Travis Thomas rushed seven times for minus-7 yards. Freshman Armando Allen led with 25 yards on 3 carries but didn't play after the opening quarter.

"Whether it's more comfortable or not, I don't think any of them should feel comfortable with how we played last week," Weis said. "But there is a comfort zone when you have more familiarity with what you're doing."

And what you're facing.

First-time starters Dan Wenger, Mike Turkovich and Paul Duncan should benefit from having faced Georgia Tech's blitz, even with the woeful results.

Unlike Georgia Tech, Penn State won't blitz as its first, second and third option, although Weis wouldn't be surprised if the Nittany Lions got aggressive.

"There's always a phrase in football, 'you do it till they stop it,' " Weis said. "If people are bringing pressure and you're not showing your propensity to handle it very well, then why not keep up?"

At a minimum, the younger linemen expect a more even performance Saturday because of the prior knowledge they'll bring to Happy Valley.

Wenger believes better days are ahead.

"Just having that one game under my belt, it makes it easier," he said. "It's still going to be a challenge every game."

That's regardless of which quarterback starts. If the Irish line can't hold its own, the identity of Notre Dame's starter won't matter.