The average age of the offensive linemen for Valparaiso University is much higher than it was three years when Eric Rentschler’s class arrived on campus.
“When we came in, there were no sophomores,” he said. “Everyone had quit. Ahead of them were two juniors and one senior. The rest were all freshmen.”
Rentschler, a 2015 Highland graduate and now a two-year starter at left guard, is part of a veteran VU roster that kicks off its 2018 season Saturday at Duquesne.
All five spots on VU’s offensive line are occupied by players with starting experience. It begins with Rentschler, who was thrust into action during his freshman year.
“Those were some rough games,” Rentschler said. “It really opened my eyes to the differences between high school and college football.”
And it could’ve been worse. VU senior Tom Schofield, who’ll start at right guard Saturday, also started as a freshman against Eastern Kentucky.
Schofield spent that game across from Noah Spence, who was drafted in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round.
Since that 1-9 season in 2015, though, the Crusaders have steadily improved, going 4-7 in 2016 and then 6-5 last fall, the program’s first winning season since 2003.
That success led to fewer players leaving the program, resulting in one of the most experienced VU teams in recent memory — especially on the offensive line.
“The five who’ll be starting on Saturday have all been together for over a year,” Rentschler said. “We’re not out here at 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, so we’re not the biggest guys. But we trust each other and have a lot of experience playing together.”
And that continuity on the offensive line has allowed VU coach Dave Cecchini to expand his playbook.
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“That’s a very cerebral position, especially in our offense,” Cecchini said. “When you have an offensive line who’s jelled together, they communicate very well, which is an unheralded thing.
“It enables you to be very complex and install more running and passing schemes.”
After a bye week last Saturday when most college teams started the season, Rentschler said he and his teammates can’t wait to take the field.
“After last season, we were told by a lot of people that it was a fluke,” he said. “We’ve been busting our butts all offseason so we can prove everyone wrong. We’re so ready for this to start.”
But who will be standing behind that offensive line Saturday remained a question after Thursday’s practice.
Starting quarterback Jimmy Seewald was still recovering from surgery on his right throwing shoulder. Cecchini said backup Chris Duncan handled most of the snaps at practice.
Cecchini hadn’t ruled out Seewald yet.
“We’re still taking it day by day,” Cecchini said. “(Seewald) took some snaps. If he’s feeling it on Saturday, he’ll be the one we go with.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.