Jeff Brohm has been harsh on his Louisville Cardinals leading up to Week 1, but the one position group that has received the harshest amount of comments is the offensive line. Louisville football's offensive line lost four key starters from last season and will turn to center Pete Nygra to be the vocal leader.
The Cardinals' offensive line is crucial for Brohm and his offense, as if they can't protect Miller Moss or make up for this rushing attack, then it will be a long season. College football is won in the trenches, and entering Week 1 against Eastern Kentucky, Louisville fans have their eyes on this offensive line.
While many fans claim Moss and Isaac Brown as the two most important players on the Cardinals' offense, Brohm is here to argue that Nygra is emerging as a crucial piece to this offense and someone they must keep healthy.
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Jeff Brohm's offensive line update ahead of Week 1
The Cardinals' star center returns to Louisville as their best offensive lineman, and Brohm made that clear on Monday at his press conference. Last season, Louisville's offensive line finished No. 55 in the nation; the Cardinals' front line must improve, and it all starts with Nygra.
"I think it is a good group, but we got to keep certain guys healthy without question," Brohm stated Monday at his press conference. "Pete Nygra is our starting center, and he is a fantastic player. He makes all of our calls. He is smart. We need to keep him healthy."
Brohm made it clear that Nygra is their leader. The Cards returning center is one of 40 centers to be named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List after his first season with Louisville. Last year, Louisville's offense was one of the most dominant in the ACC and the nation, and Nygra was a crucial reason why.
Louisville's offensive line must step up and play to the standards set by Richard Owens and Brohm. Nygra and his group had a slow start to fall camp, but Brohm updated the fans by letting them know that a few youngsters are stepping up, and there are seven to nine players who are ready to play in games, with a few more who are almost there.
"I do think anywhere from seven to nine are ready right now that should be able to rotate in the game of play, and do a good job," Brohm stated. "Couple other gentleman have stepped up and done a good job, and we'd like for those to stay healthy as much as we can. But, we do have competition there and do have some young players that have stepped up and done a good job, and we hope to see that carry over to the game."
Brohm has made it clear he wants an ACC Championship with Louisville, and for that to happen, this front line must do its job. The update on seven to nine linemen ready to play is crucial for this group, and now it is simply a matter of keeping the group healthy. That is a tall ask for the offensive line, but if Louisville wants ACC glory and to shock the nation, this group has to blow expectations out of the water.
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