Cals revamped, revitalized offensive line turns how into production

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Cals offensive linemen took some heat after Notre Dame sacked Jack Plummer six times in the Bears 24-17 loss in South Bend, Ind., on Sept. 17.

Left tackle Ben Coleman said he and his linemates took no exception to the criticism.

You make the bed, Coleman said, you got to lay in it.

The Bears offensive linemen got out of bed, so to speak, against Arizona last Saturday. They paved the way for freshman Jaydn Ott to rush for 274 yards and three touchdowns. The linemen also did not allow a sack as Plummer threw for 245 yards and three scores in a 49-31 victory.

The physicality with which they played was off the charts, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said of the linemen.

Because of a lower-body injury to guard Spencer Lovell and because of the lines relative ineffectiveness in the first three games (12 sacks), Musgrave and offensive line coach Angus McClure revamped the line ahead of facing the Wildcats.

Coleman was the only starter in the same position he had held for the first three games. Center Matthew Cindric moved to right guard. Left guard Brian Driscoll moved to center. Junior TJ Session, a transfer from Montana State, replaced Brayden Rohme at right tackle. Freshman Sioape Vatikani got his first start at left guard.

The reconfigured line helped the Bears pile up 599 yards of total offense. Coleman, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound junior, was named the Pac-12s Offensive Lineman of the Week.

People think that center, guard and tackle are so interchangeable, Coleman said, but its not easy knowing how to move the protections, and all the calls.

I think that its something that we really just take pride in is that we all feel confident that whoevers at center, whoevers at guard, whoevers at tackle, that theyll be able to get the job done.

The linemen hadnt gotten the job done consistently for the first three games. Coleman believes the criticism that followed not only was warranted but was motivating.

I think its something that you’ll always remember, Coleman said. I think were able to remember it for a good reason. We definitely had a reality check. We definitely had to look in the mirror.

Do we want to be known as the line thats the worst in the conference or potentially in the FBS? Or do we want to be able to bounce back and show the resilience?

Coleman thinks the lines of success against Arizona derived less from the personnel changes and more from improved preparation by each player.

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It kind of showed the first three weeks that what we did didnt really work, Coleman said, so we had to make some adjustments that were necessary on an individual level.

We definitely wanted to bounce back big-time because our first three weeks were not great performances. And so, we hope to continue what we did last week and continue improving as an offensive line through the end of the season.

On Saturday, the Bears (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) faced Washington State (3-1, 0-1) in Pullman. The Cougars collected 14 sacks in their first three games but none in a 44-41 loss to Oregon last Saturday.

The Ducks amassed 624 total yards, including 178 on the ground. Could that mean another big afternoon for Ott?

The more he can rush for, Coleman said, the happier we are.

Steve Kroner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SteveKronerSF

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