Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1187122
P E N N S T A T E F O O T B A L L >> his 38 career starts were the most of any player on the team. The been-there, done-that nature of his college career to this point has been an invaluable attribute that has extended past his performances into other areas critical to the Nittany Lions' offensive success this season. At the time of this writing, 10 games into the 2019 slate, the Lions were ranked 15th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring offense with an average of 36.8 points per game. Backed in part by an offensive line that had allowed only 1.9 sacks per game, the Nittany Lions were 31st in the country in team passing effi- ciency (149.95), 46th in passing average (253.5 yards per game), 50th in total of- fense (426.6 ypg) and 53rd in rushing of- fense (173.1 ypg). Credited by head coach James Franklin as a "keystone" of the offense at the sea- son's midpoint, the Nittany Lions' line had proven itself to be an integral part of that success heading into the season's home- stretch. Led by Gonza- lez, Menet, Fries and rotations of Mike Mi- randa and C.J. Thorpe at right guard and Rasheed Walker and Des Holmes at left tackle, a position group that had caught its share of flak in previous years was finding its footing. Said Franklin, "On offense, it's those of- fensive linemen like Menet and Fries and Gonzo [who have excelled] – guys who don't get their name in the paper a whole lot." At the time, Franklin wasn't the only one commending the performance of Penn State's offensive front. The unit also was one of 24 named to the Midsea- son Honor Roll for the Joe Moore Award, which is given annually to the country's most outstanding offensive line. Walker, a full-time starter who is wrapping up ON THE MOVE Linemen (L to R) Michal Menet, Mike Miranda, Rasheed Walker and C.J. Thorpe approach the ball during Penn State's game against Buffalo earlier this season. Photo by Steve Manuel