Western Michigan football has had a 1,000-yard running back each of the last two seasons.  In fact the only season during the Bill Cubit era that WMU has not had a running back rush for 1,000 yards was the 2007 campaign.  Impressive as this is, the Bronco offensive line knows that success will come with the protection of its quarterback, whoever that will be.

Nick Clemens, Nick Mitchell and Phillip Swanson are the elder statesman on the 2010 offensive line.  All three are seniors and all three know that in order to find success on the field this upcoming season is to provide the quarterback with time in the pocket to make his reads and the correct throw/hand off to move the team down the field.

When talking to Swanson, he understands that need heading into the final three practices of the 2010 spring season.  He knows that the addition of Dann O'Neill brings in another talented offensive tackle to offset Anthony Parker, a junior on the line coming into 2010.  There are 18 offensive linemen currently listed on the Bronco web site.  The lightest is listed at 262 lbs., while the heaviest is 329 lbs.  All offensive linemen range from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-8 in height.

These numbers are daunting but are numbers nonetheless.  The only numbers that matter to the offensive line is the number of sacks allowed, the number of first downs gained, the number of third downs converted and, of course, the number of wins in 2010.

Western Michigan will hold its annual Brown & Gold Spring Game on April 17.  Spectators are asked to bring canned food items as "admission" to the game.  These food items will be distributed to pantries throughout Kalamazoo.