Aug. 11, 2009

BOCA RATON, FL - After a successful season culminating in a Motor City Bowl victory, the Florida Atlantic Owls football team had to say goodbye to a large part of the offensive line, the staple of a good offense.

Due to injuries last year, head coach Howard Schnellenberger isn't as worried as most coaches would be starting the season with only two seniors on the line, and a completely new center.

"It's a very important fact that we played enough players on the offensive line," Schnellenberger said. "We had injuries that forced us to play players when they weren't as experienced as we'd like."

After losing four year center Nick Paris, the Owls will turn to junior Ryan Wischnefski to start each offensive play at center.

"Wischnefski can carry the load just like Paris did the four years he was here," Schnellenberger said. "He's a very intelligent guy and can make a good shotgun snap. He also blocks like a guard."

Behind the senior leadership of Lavoris Williams and David Matlock, the offensive line will be a key to success for the Owls. However, there are some worries about potential replacements should an injury occur.

After the starting five, the coaching staff is trying to ready a second string team as a precaution.

"We would like very much to find the second best linemen," Schnellenberger said. "We've got a lot of good talent and more size and strength than in the past in the first three positions."

Written Mark Stankiewicz