DMN--SMU's Zach Line, a converted LB.......

[ponyscott]

SMU's Zach Line, a converted LB, got chance to power offense and ran with it

10:52 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
UNIVERSITY PARK – Laying in a hospital last week, antibiotics pumping into his system, SMU running back Zach Line could barely stand to hear about football.

A few days after rushing for a career-high 139 yards and a touchdown – averaging 8.2 yards per carry – against TCU, the sophomore was stuck in bed. He missed practice, felt awful and weak because of a staph infection, and was unsure if he'd be able to play last week at Rice.

"I hate not being on the field," said Line, who did watch game tape during his stay at Baylor Medical Center.

Line was discharged Friday and went directly to meet the team buses for the trip to Houston. He entered the game late in the first half and rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, as the Mustangs pulled away for a 42-31 Conference USA win.

Line – expected to be near full strength for Saturday's C-USA West Division showdown with Tulsa – isn't the type to take opportunities for granted.

Originally recruited to SMU as a linebacker, he served as a blocking back and short-yardage runner for the Mustangs last season behind 1,000-yard rusher Shawnbrey McNeal. This season, with McNeal gone, he's taken advantage of more carries, showing off a powerful running style and the ability to exploit creases created when opposing defenses try to defend the passing game in SMU's Run and Shoot.

Line has 64 carries for 460 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 92 yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry. He rushed for 100-plus yards in two of three games before last week, aiding the offense as the passing game struggled to find its groove.

"When Zach came in [at Rice], he brought some of that swagger back," said left tackle Kelvin Beachum, who noted Line provides SMU with great "sound bites in the huddle."

Offensive lineman Bryce Tennison said, "Ah, the man is back," when Line first took the field.

Line responded: "I'm back, fellas. Let's get back to business."

Line is susceptible to infections. He's suffered two previously, one in high school and one last spring.

Early last week he noticed a painful swelling in his armpit. The medical staff started him on antibiotics immediately, but it still grew to the size of a golf ball by the next day. Knowing Line's body is resistant to some antibiotics, the staff sent him to the hospital.

"When my body gets worn down, I need to pay more attention to what I'm eating," said Line, who is taking a range of other precautions to keep his strength up.

Line (6-1, 235) is the second oldest of five children and grew up in Oxford, Mich. He wasn't getting much attention from Football Bowl Subdivision programs when he got a little help from Bill Keenist, the senior vice president of communications for the Detroit Lions . Line played football with Keenist's son, and Keenist knew SMU coach June Jones from when Jones coached for the Lions.

Jones liked what he saw of Line on a DVD and Line wound up at SMU, where Jones planned on using him at linebacker – until the need for a strong blocking back became clear.

"I went straight to offense," said Line, who played on both sides of the ball in high school and also punted. "I really liked linebacker, and at first it seemed like I would just be blocking. But I grew into it. And I knew at some point the ball would come."

Line dropped 15 pounds in the off-season and worked on his speed. Running backs coach Wes Suan said Line is an intense worker who can get better by creating situations where defenders are trying to arm-tackle him, since he's strong enough to break their grasps.

Last season, Line's presence on the field signaled that a passing play was likely. This season, it could go either way. And Line doesn't want to miss a chance.

"I don't expect 100 yards, but at the same time, I'm not surprised," Line said. "It's good to finally get the ball, and I've made good use of my carries so far."


ON LINE
Line in 2009: Line scored seven TDs – all but one were 6 yards or less – on 49 carries. He rushed for a season-high 34 yards and two TDs against Navy. He totaled 189 yards on the year.

Line in 2010: Line has 460 yards and five touchdowns through five games, including a scoring run of 29 yards. He has topped the 100-yard mark twice in five games.












http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 83858.html

[Pony_Fan]

Good thing he is healthy again. We really need him to keep the defense guessing. He is certainly one of the MVP's so far.

[42sparty]

We are proud of you Zach...go Stangs!

[cutter]

glad he's doing well health-wise.
go ponies.

[SmooBoy]

Good kid, good story. Nobody infectious gets near him.

[Mestengo]

[ponyscott]

Great old song!...A++

[ponyscott]

This is a much better 'Zach' song from Mr Cash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7K4jH7NqUw