‘Not Over’ – Smith Sees Big Things Once Again from Offensive Line, Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The question comes and Carter Smith doesn’t hesitate from the podium of the Memorial Stadium Team Toom in the aftermath of a recent spring football practice. The junior offensive lineman saw what Indiana did last season; he lived it as a starter on a juggernaut offense in what became an 11-2 defining season; he prepares for what could be even better next season with new quarterback Fernando Mendoza taking over the offense, plenty of skill players and all the Hoosiers fully emersed in head coach Curt Cignetti’s winning system.

“We’ve already shown the country what we have the capabilities to do,” Smith says. “This is just adding on to the fact that what we did last year, it’s not over.”

It starts up front. It has to. If you can’t control the line of scrimmage, you got no chance, and these Hoosiers will certainly have a chance with the 6-foot-5, 308-pound Smith as one of three returning offensive line starters on an offense that led the Big Ten in scoring (41.3 points). The others are Drew Evans and Bray Lynch. Cignetti and offensive line coach Bob Bostad used the transfer portal to bring in Kahlil Benson, a former Hoosier, from Colorado, along with Notre Dame transfer Pat Coogan, and Ohio State transfer Zen Michalski.

Add others already in the program and Smith sees no reason why IU’s offensive line won’t be just as dominant.

“We’ll have the same results as last year. Multiple explosive runs every game, those 10-plus-yard runs. As long as we hit our targets and everyone is on the same page, the run game will explode.

“Fernando will have time to make decisions in the pass game. As long as we do our jobs, everything will mesh well together. We’ll get similar results to last year.”

How big an impact could the transfers have?
Consider the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Benson, who started 17 games and played in 24 as a Hoosier, including one season under Bostad. At Colorado, he started four games and played in nine. He missed three games with an injury.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Coogan started 13 games at center last season for the Irish, including the playoff win over IU and the national title game loss to Ohio State. He figures to replace Mike Katic at center.

“He’s a big guy,” Smith says. “He’s a fun guy to be around. He brings a lot of energy to the center position. He has big shoes to fill after Mike Katic. He will lead the room well. He will get comfortable in his spot. He’s doing well right now. There are still a few coaching points to be hammered down, but he will be good for us.”

As far as comparing Coogan with Katic, Smith says they are similar “energy wise.”

“They both bring it to the O-line room. They’re uplifting. Mike can say some pretty outlandish things, but it gets a laugh or two which was good for us. Pat is a little more docile but is a good decision maker.”

The 6-foot-6, 319-pound Michalski, who went to Floyd Central High School in Indiana, played in 29 games with one start at Ohio State.

“He has good length,” Smith says. “He’s a (state of) Indiana guy. His roots are from here even though he came from Ohio State. He’s fast. He makes good decisions. As long as he keeps his coaching points in mind in the film room and on the field, he will be a great player.”

Keeping the coaching points sharp is the no nonsense Bostad, regarded as one of the nation’s best offensive line coaches.

“I have been around Bostad for two years now,” Smith says. “This will be my third year under his wing. I’ve pretty much got all the coaching points down. Kahlil already has a year under (Bostad), so he kind of knows what to expect. Pat and Zen are both coachable guys, so as long as we keep them on the field and keep hammering out the coaching points for the run game and the pass game, I think we are going to be all right.”
As far as what those coaching points are, Smith says, “Making sure all the little stuff in the film room is getting done on the field. It’s things like the aiming point on a certain block or reading the defense in a certain way for the quarterback. It varies position to position. All those little things in the film room will make a big difference on the field.”

Last season was full of favorite moments for Smith, but he says it was the 56-7 victory over Nebraska, when the Hoosiers rushed for 215 yards and five touchdowns against what had been a nationally ranked defense, that stood out.

“Nebraska was fun. A lot of media were talking about Nebraska having an unstoppable run defense and we ran right through them.”

Sustaining last year’s success means ensuring the standards that produced to it remain firmly in place, Smith says. Spring practice is the latest opportunity.

“We have to keep on with the workouts. We’re still going early in the morning. Make sure that the (offensive line) room is on time. Make sure no one overlooks the smallest detail, because the smallest detail could be one of the biggest killers. Make sure everyone is on the same head space and keeps the same work ethic in mind.”

Making sure the newcomers understand those standards is paramount, Smith adds.

“It’s really special coming off a season like that, especially after my first couple of years here. The turnaround has been great, but with a lot of fresh faces, we have some freshmen in here who saw what we can do last year, maybe they could be a little cocky out on the field. We need to make sure that the standard is upheld and they have the right mindset going into all of their training.”