Indiana Offensive Line Showing Early Signs of Improvement Under Bob Bostad

Indiana's offensive line was vulnerable in recent seasons, but the group held its own Saturday against Ohio State. Under Bob Bostad's no-nonsense leadership, players and coaches agree the offensive line has taken a step forward.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – One of Indiana's most important offseason moves was hiring veteran offensive line coach Bob Bostad.

The offensive line has struggled in recent years, but it already looks markedly improved one week into the 2023 season

While Indiana's offense mustered just 153 total yards and three points last week, it wasn't because the offensive line was a weak link. Indiana quarterbacks Brendan Sorsby and Tayven Jackson were hit just twice, and the offensive line held an Ohio State pass rush filled with NFL talent to one sack, which Indiana offensive coordinator Walt Bell attributed to quarterback error.

There's always room for improvement, but Indiana head coach Tom Allen had an overall positive outlook on the offensive line after Week 1.

"I felt like we got movement," Allen said Monday. "I felt like the guys were targeting their guys accurately throughout the game, and I thought they did a lot of positive things."

Indiana started the game with an offensive line of left tackle Joshua Sales Jr., left guard Mike Katic, center Zach Carpenter, right guard Matthew Bedford and right tackle Kahlil Benson. Redshirt freshman Carter Smith ended up taking more snaps, 48, at left tackle than Sales, seven, according to Pro Football Focus, so that's a position battle to keep an eye on.

Bedford has experience at every spot besides center, but the majority of his starts at Indiana have come at left or right tackle. So it was a bit of a surprise to see him move to right guard, especially since Benson strictly played right guard in 2022. 

Bell explained this switch transpired in the latter half of fall camp due to multiple factors. Under Bostad, offensive linemen practice at various positions due to the high volume of reps. Guard Max Longman, who Bostad said was "right on the edge of being a starter," went down with an injury a few weeks ago, making him unavailable for Week 1. And ultimately, Bell said it's all about putting the best five linemen on the field. 

That meant moving Bedford to guard and Benson to tackle. 

"Matt [Bedford] is a class act," Bell said. "That's one thing that I think is important that everyone understands about Matt Bedford is just how all-in he is about Indiana. You're talking about a guy that's got NFL potential that's asked to move to guard a week-and-a-half before the season, knowing he's been a tackle his whole life, and he's like, 'Yeah, I'm good. Let's go.'"

While Allen was largely pleased with the offensive line play in Week 1, his main criticism stemmed from the run game. Indiana's trio of running backs – Jaylin Lucas, Josh Henderson and Christian Turner – combined for 21 carries and 58 yards, amounting to 2.7 yards per carry. 

Allen said Bostad has done a really good job with the offensive line, but he would have liked to have seen them block through the whistle to open more running lanes.

"I thought we did not sustain our blocks to the level that we know we have to moving forward," Allen said. "So the strain to finish, to me, is the next component."

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) throws over the outstretched arm of Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3 :: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

From a player's perspective, Carpenter and Benson agreed the offensive line performed at a higher level on Saturday compared to last season. Carpenter believes this is a result of better preparation, leading to what he considered the best communication of any game he's played at Indiana since joining the team in 2021.

Carpenter said Bostad has implemented different terms and rules for the offensive line, which allowed the group to operate as a cohesive unit.

"To have a system and have rules, it's helped us a lot," Carpenter said. "Sometimes we don't even have to say anything, we're all thinking on the same page."

Continuity is important for any offensive line, and Indiana lacked that last season. Bedford tore his ACL in Week 1, and Carpenter missed two games with a hand injury. The line was in a constant state of flux, mixing and matching different combinations as it searched for the best five.

"[Bedford] is so talented," Katic said. "So losing him, there was definitely a period where we had to say, 'Okay next guy up. He's got to step in and we can't really have a big drop off,' but it's hard with losing a guy like him. There was obviously a little drop off, but depth is very important at the college level."

The linemen concur that this steady growth is a result of Bostad's no-nonsense style, repetitions in practice and familiarity with each other. 

"[Bostad] was saying the other day, 'When we step on the field, it's work. It's business,'" Katic said. "So everybody is very locked in. Not many people are jacking around in the back, we're all kind of locked in."

Katic said pre-practice work with Bostad is often one of the hardest parts of the day. It's those extra reps that, when stacked on top of each other day after day, will eventually lead to mastery. Bell said no position group dedicates more time on task than the offensive line.

Bostad emphasizes taking mental reps if you're not participating in a drill, which speaks to the intensity and focus he brings every day. In past years, Katic felt only half of the line grasped play concepts at times, so this mental growth has led to improved cohesion and technique. 

"You're starting to see some technical proficiency," Bell said. "You're starting to see a little bit of an edge, which is earned. Not a fake edge. I mean, they earn it in practice every day."

Benson felt the line with more physicality, detail and technique Saturday against Ohio State. He and the rest of the group know there's always room for improvement, and by no means are they satisfied. 

But with more experience, continuity and chemistry than past seasons, coupled with Bostad's track record of success at Wisconsin and in the NFL, the Indiana offensive line is confident this year will be different.

"I'm not going to say I think," Benson said. "I know we will improve a lot more for the rest of the season."

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